Photo of Canadiens and ColoradoPhoto credit: Montreal Hockey Now

A recent first-round draft pick has just refused to come to North America simply to play in the American Hockey League.

Let’s recall that a little over a year ago, the Montreal Canadiens’ general manager, Kent Hughes, traded his 31st overall pick in the 2023 draft, along with his 37th overall pick (also in 2023), to acquire forward Alex Newhook.

This trade between the Canadiens and the Avalanche allowed Colorado to draft defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev with that 31st selection.

Gulyayev was a young player who also interested Montreal.

In short, we have some news about him.

Drafted with a pick acquired from the Montreal Canadiens via trade: Mikhail Gulyayev refuses to report to the American Hockey League

In a recent interview, as reported by Colorado journalist Evan Rawal, one of the Avalanche’s top prospects now made it clear that he does not want to play in the AHL.

«My path to the NHL is to come and play right away. I’m pursuing my dream and am not interested in anything else. I’m not against the AHL; it’s a good league, but if I go to America to play, I will only play in the NHL.»

– Mikhail Gulyayev

This certainly says a lot about the young player’s attitude.

He is therefore unlikely to come to North America before 2026 or 2027, and during that time, the Avalanche will not have control over his development. (He is signed in the KHL until the end of the 2026 season, having just signed a contract extension there)

«In a new interview with RGSafePlay, Avalanche first-round pick Mikhail Gulyayev made it clear that he’s taking his time to make it to the NHL, the only North American league he wants to play in.»

– Evan Rawal

The story does not explicitly say whether Kent Hughes and his team would have also selected Gulyayev with the 31st pick, but looking at the official transaction report, for now, it’s Gulyayev and Ethan Gauthier (in exchange for Alex Newhook).

It’s a good trade for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens.

Mikhail Gulyayev, 19, is a 5’10” left-handed defenseman who scored 12 points in 64 KHL games last season.

Ethan Gauthier, 19, is a 5’11” winger who tallied 71 points in 64 QMJHL games last season.

As for Alex Newhook, he recorded 34 points in 55 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens.