Arseni Gritsyuk (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
New Jersey Devils forward prospect Arseniy Gritsyuk is preparing to embark on a significant chapter of his career after signing his entry-level NHL contract. At age 24, he believes the timing is perfect to transition from being a standout player in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) to establishing himself as a full-fledged NHL player.
Gritsyuk spent parts of the last five seasons in the KHL. During the 2024-25 season with SKA St. Petersburg, he recorded 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) in 49 regular-season games, ranking among the team’s top five in points, goals, and assists. He also contributed five points (one goal, four assists) in six playoff games, tying him for the team lead.
“At 24, I’m no longer a kid,” Gritsyuk said in a one-on-one interview with RG. “It’s the perfect time to go as a team leader and try to become a full-fledged NHL player.”
Though specific expectations haven’t been outlined by Devils management yet, Gritsyuk is clear on his approach: “Nobody has set a defined role for me yet. I’ll arrive and prove my worth. That’s how it works.”
Drawing Inspiration from Former Devils
Gritsyuk draws inspiration from former Devils players, notably Ilya Kovalchuk, Yegor Yakovlev, and Nikita Gusev. “Kovalchuk immediately comes to mind, but he played there when I was still in kindergarten,” he noted. “I’ve talked with Yegor Yakovlev and Nikita Gusev; they gave me advice, wished me luck, and said it was the right move to prove myself.”
His primary goal entering the NHL is straightforward.
“My primary goal is to establish myself in the team. We’ll see how things go after that,” Gritsyuk explained.
When asked about potentially playing in the AHL, he was realistic, saying he hasn’t yet thought about it and that much will depend on his performance in training camp.
Preparing for his NHL journey involves both physical and mental adaptation.
“I’ll travel there with a scout a month before the camp starts,” Gritsyuk said. “Right now, I’m learning English. It’ll be tough, but I want at least a basic foundation since everyone there speaks English and there are no other Russians around.”
Gritsyuk also expressed excitement about playing alongside Devils star Jack Hughes, whom he faced during the 2019 U18 World Championship. “It’s a pity he missed the end of the season,” he said. “He’s an excellent center who controls the game, agile and great at high speed. It’ll be exciting to play with him.”
Gritsyuk was selected by the Devils in the fifth round (129th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft. He made his KHL debut with Avangard during the 2020-21 season, helping the team win the Gagarin Cup in 2021. In total, Gritsyuk earned 152 points (68 goals, 84 assists) in 216 KHL regular-season games.
Embracing the NHL Challenge
He has a clear message for Devils fans: “I’m very much looking forward to meeting them. I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere at the arena. I hope we’ll have a wonderful next year together.”
Gritsyuk credits SKA coach Roman Rotenberg for significantly improving his defensive skills: “I think that’s why I got better defensively. I kept thinking, ‘Man, if I mess up now, I’ll have to listen to criticism again.’”
Reflecting on differences between NHL and KHL playoffs, Gritsyuk highlighted the heightened intensity.
“In the NHL, there are constant shots, traffic at the net, threats, and pressure from two or three players,” he noted. “Forechecking always ends with a hit.”
Advice from fellow NHL rookie Ivan Demidov emphasized physical strength and faster decision-making. “Demidov told me, ‘Playing against Washington was tough. They pressure you everywhere on the ice. There’s no freedom at all, so decisions have to be much faster,’” Gritsyuk shared. “Psychologically, you must adjust to this higher level.”
Beyond hockey, he’s looking forward to exploring North America further. “I’ve only visited Edmonton twice,” he said. “I’d like to see Central Park in New York City, but that’s all I know for now.”
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
