Countdown to the 2021 NHL Draft: Artem Guryev
Being drafted to the National Hockey League (NHL) is a dream come true for all minor hockey players. Achieving this dream takes tremendous hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. It is a taxing process for any player, but add in the challenge of moving to a new country and learning a new language on top of that, and the process becomes increasingly complex. This challenging journey is one, Artem Guryev knows all too well.
Petes defenceman Artem Guryev made the decision to relocate from his hometown of Moscow, Russia to Toronto in the hopes of one day achieving his lifelong dream of becoming a professional hockey player. Despite not speaking English, Guryev was confident that this move would be the best decision for his hockey career.
The blue liner has excelled since coming over to Canada and was selected by the Peterborough Petes in the 2nd round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. As he now prepares for the 2021 NHL Draft, Guryev is currently ranked in the 99th spot on the NHL Central Scouting’s list of best available North American skaters.
2019 #OHLDraft picks J.R. Avon (@Avonjr_1010) and Artem Guryev have committed to playing for the Peterborough Petes!
DETAILS >> https://t.co/yCJ4DF97d7 pic.twitter.com/pncMrTlG2W
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) May 28, 2019
Guryev is a highly skilled defenceman who is exciting to watch. Detailed below is a list of what has made him so successful on the ice, and why he will quickly become a fan favourite for the NHL team that is lucky to acquire his talents.
Physicality:
Guryev plays a very physical game on the blue line and uses his large frame and tremendous body checking ability to remove opposing players from the puck. This helps him gain control of the play in his own end and thwart opposing scoring chances. Prospect Pipeline describes Guryev as,“He is a menace to go up against along the boards as well, as Guryev maintains tight gaps and can easily erase opponents along the wall in the defensive zone”.
Shot/Offensive Instincts:
The 6’3 defenceman compliments his physicality extraordinarily well with his ability to be a threat all over the ice. He has great offensive instincts in addition to picking the right moments to jump up into a rush. Further to that, Guryev has great awareness on the blueline. “He walks the line with poise and authority and has a cannon of a shot that gets through traffic more often than not. He can also quarterback his team’s powerplay and moves the puck as well as anyone” (Prospect Pipeline).
KIRKY! The boy from Maltby @kirky_1424 tips in his second goal of the contest to bring the Petes back within a goal. Assist on the play goes to Artem Guryev! It's 7-6 Wolves.#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/RkTsj50PvV
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) October 5, 2019
Combining his physicality with his knack for offensive play making, makes Guryev a player every team wants on their side. In the OHL’s Central Scouting report, they summed up his game by saying, “Even though Guryev is a physical player, teams also have to respect his skill set as he can beat you on the rush as well. He has a heavy shot from the point that he gets on net regularly. He is a powerful skater that quickly and physically closes the gap defensively.”
When speaking to Petes GM Mike Oke, he says, “We had Artem ranked considerably higher than where we were able to get him.” The Petes loved this player and thought very highly of him from before the draft, and after seeing him play, that passion has only continued to grow.
Everyone in Peterborough wishes Artem the best of luck at the 2021 NHL Draft in July, and we feel very confident in knowing that whichever NHL teams drafts the Moscow native, they will be getting a force to be reckoned with.
