Panthers’ 2018 first-round pick ready to prove himself after signing first NHL contract
Grigori Denisenko knows the challenges that lie ahead of him. Adapting to a new country, a new culture. Finding his role on a National Hockey League team. Proving that he can live up to the hype that has surrounded him since before the Florida Panthers selected him with the 15th overall pick in 2018.
But the scrappy 19-year-old Russian winger known as a two-way playmaker is ready to embrace all those challenges head on.
“There’s not any kind of problem that can stop [me],” Denisenko said on a conference call Wednesday through an interpreter. “All the cultural differences, all the training differences, the people, the language barrier. There’s only one way to prove [myself] and make everything happen.”
He took the next step toward doing that Tuesday when he signed a three-year entry level contract with the Panthers and has the chance in the near future to be part of a new wave of forward talent to help Florida continue its push toward being a Stanley Cup contender.
“[I’m] very happy for this opportunity to play for Florida and [sign my] first NHL contract,” Denisenko said. “[I’m] ready enough to play and be a great part of the team.”
He represented Russia each of the past two years at the IIHF World Junior Championship, earning a silver medal in 2020 and a bronze in 2019. Denisenko was his country’s team captain this year and recorded a team-leading nine points (three goals, six assists) through seven games.
On the international stage, Denisenko has earned a silver medal (2020) and bronze medal (2019) with Russia at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He led the 2019 tournament with nine points (4-5-9) in seven games.
He has also spent the past two seasons playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the Kontinental Hockey League, widely believed as the second-best hockey league in the world, and has also won two championships with Russia’s junior league
Denisenko tallied 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) through 63 career regular season KHL games.
“He is an explosive forward with outstanding speed and dynamic offensive instincts,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said in 2018 after the Panthers selected Denisenko. “... He will be an excellent addition to our young core for years to come.”
Denisenko doesn’t know when he will be able to get to the United States. Travel restrictions are still in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
But the newest member of the Panthers organization said he is ready to get to South Florida and start finding ways to contribute to the team.
“[I’m] ready [to travel] as soon as possible,” he said. “When the airports open, [I] want to come as soon as possible, to search for [a] home, meet the team, meet coaches and [check out] the town.”
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