When Slava Demin was considering college choices he followed one of the primary rules of real estate – location, location, location.

Slava Demin

So the former Anaheim Jr. Ducks and Wildcats defenseman committed to play NCAA Division I college hockey at the University of Denver shortly before Christmas in 2016.

“First off, it’s in Colorado, close to home,” said Demin, who signed his National Letter of Intent with the Pioneers on Nov. 13. “I loved the campus and the coaches, and the way the team plays fits my style.”

In 2016-17, his first season of junior, Demin had 32 points in 63 games for the Wenatchee Wild of the British Columbia Hockey League. Demin, who played for Team USA in the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka tournament over the summer, is off to a stronger start this season, with 16 points through 20 games.

It’s no wonder the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Cypress, Calif., is rated the No. 100 prospect in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by NHL Central Scouting.

Brendan Budy

Two other players – Brendan Budy and Will MacKinnon also signed NLIs on Monday.

Budy, another 2000, is a high-scoring forward and captain for the Langley Rivermen of the BCHL. The 5-10, 170-pounder has 29 points, including 10 goals, in 24 games thus far.

MacKinnon, also a 2000, is a tough, 5-11, 200-pound defenseman for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. He previously played for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Demin said playing the 2015-16 season for the Jr. Ducks in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League elevated his game.

“I’m grateful for my time with the Jr. Ducks and the good coaches I had,” the 2000 birth year said. “I played for a good (16U) team and it was the first year in the Tier 1 (Elite Hockey) league.

“It was fun to go into such a highly competitive league and play in different cities. It was a good year for my development.”

Demin’s 16U AAA team won a California State title in 2016, and his Bantam AAA team won state and district titles and went to the USA Hockey Youth Nationals in 2015.

Demin played for Team USA at the U17 Five Nations Tournament during the summer of 2016 after participating in USA Hockey’s National Team Development Evaluation Camp that spring, an event that drew the top 48 2000 birth year prospects.

Jr. Ducks Director of Player Personnel Alex Kim, who coached Demin during the 2015-16 season, said the defenseman has a diverse skill set that fits well with the college game.

“Slava skates very well and has very good hands,” said Kim, a former pro who skated collegiately for Colorado College and Miami. “Defensively, he has a very good stick. His upside is big.”

Copyright First Line Editorial 2017

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