🖊 We’ve signed forward Dmitry Ovchinnikov to a three-year entry level contract.#LeafsForever
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 18, 2022
Dmitry Ovchinnikov was drafted in the fifth round in 2020, at 137th overall. He was not very well-known at that time, and had played almost exclusively in the junior league (MHL). He had two token KHL games. But in the MHL he was a goal-scoring machine on a spectacular line for Sibirske Snaipery Novosibirsk.
That points pace carried on through this season, but he couldn’t get much more than the “dressed but not played” treatment in the KHL.
Last season, as Ovchinnikov just poured on the points, it became apparent that checking in on his rated points pace was in order. He played a lot of minutes.
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Points, minutes and Dmitry Ovchinnikov
He wasn’t running away with the league title when you considered ice time, but he was still really, really good.
Today, we learned that Sibir had willingly terminated his KHL contract, so he is only under contract to the Maple Leafs. A move to the Marlies be imminent, according to the Maple Leafs release.
#LeafsForever prospect Dmitry Ovchinnikov has signed his ELC! The contract begins this season and he will join the Marlies upon gaining a Canadian work permit.
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) February 18, 2022
Ovchinnikov has shredded the Russian junior league but hasn't had a real shot in the KHL. Time to see what he's got. pic.twitter.com/G6JOFqfV2I
Ovchinnikov turns 20 this summer, and you can learn a lot more about him here:
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2021 Top 25 Under 25: Dmitri Ovchinnikov is #16
More details:
Dmitri Ovchinnikov #Leafs
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 19, 2022
3 year ELC
$835,000 AAV
2021-22: $750,000 base + $75,000 SB
2022-23: $750,000 base + $75,000 SB
2023-24: $775,000 base + $80,000 SB
The deal does not include any performance bonuses and pays him $80,000 at the minor level.https://t.co/iJVZAGAZlU
Shumi Babaev, agent for new Leaf ELC signing Dmitry Ovchinnikov, clarifies his client's contract with KHL Sibir was mutually terminated so he could get some experience here and play on loan to Sibir next season. The winger should have clearance to join Marlies by early March.
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) February 19, 2022