Matvei Gridin

Gridin began playing hockey at three years old in his hometown of Kurgan. He played youth hockey for Spartak St. Petersburg and Avangard Omsk's organizations before being selected by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the 15th round of the 2022 USHL draft. During the 2022–23 season, he recorded eight goals and 11 assists in 40 games for the Lumberjacks.^[1][2]

During the 2023–24 season, Gridin led the USHL in scoring with 38 goals and 45 assists in 60 games. He ranked fourth in the league in goals and tied for fourth in assists.^[3][4] Following the season he was named to the All-USHL first team.^[5] Following his successful season, Gridin was drafted 28th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 NHL entry draft.^[6][7] On 5 July 2024, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flames.^[8]

On 3 July 2024, Gridin was drafted first overall by the Val-d'Or Foreurs in the 2024 CHL Import Draft.^[9][10] He was committed to play college ice hockey at Michigan, but forfeited that eligibility after signing his entry-level contract with the Flames instead.^[11][7] On 20 September 2024, the Foreurs traded his rights to the Shawinigan Cataractes. During the 2024–25 season, in his rookie year, he led the team in scoring with 36 goals and 43 assists in 56 games.^[12] He finished the season leading all QMJHL rookies in points (79), goals (36), assists (43), plus/minus (+31), shots (236), game-winning goals (5), power-play assists (15), and shorthanded goals (4).^[13] Following an outstanding season, he was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team, and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) All-Rookie Team.^[14][15] He also received the Michel Bergeron Trophy and Sidney Crosby Trophy as offensive rookie and overall rookie of the year.^[16][17]

On 8 October 2025, Gridin made his NHL debut for the Calgary Flames and recorded his first NHL goal in a 4–3 shootout win against the Edmonton Oilers.