On July 1, the doors to RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House in Newark opened for the New Jersey Devils 2024 Development Camp.
As prospects and familiar faces made their way onto the ice, it was hard not to shift your gaze when the towering young man wearing a white jersey with 52 stitched on the back emerged from the bench and skated onto the frozen surface.
Listed as 6-foot-7 and 207 pounds, there was no mistaking Anton Silayev.
The 18-year-old defenseman was New Jersey's first pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Projected by many to be selected in the top five, Silayev fell into the Devils' lap at 10th overall.
"He is 6-foot-7, great size, but you quickly see his agility and footwork for that size, among the best you see at that age," said Devils chief scout Mark Dennehy . "He is mobile for his size with great defensive range. He is a pest to play against. He plays with a mean streak. Good shot, good hands."
He played in 63 games with the Torpedo Nizhny of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and earned 11 points (three goals, eight assists). His 11 points were the most by an under-18 player in KHL history, topping Vladimir Tarasenko's 10 points in 2008-09. The youngster was also credited with 74 blocked shots and 98 hits.
There is no denying that once on the ice in Newark, Silayev impressed.
For his hulking build, Silayev smoothly skated around the ice, showcasing the edgework of a player half his size. However, his overall stature was not the only thing that caught the attention of Utica Comets head coach Kevin Dineen.
"There is kind of a youthful enthusiasm that he carries out there in just these little drills that we have been doing," he said . "He scores a goal, and there is a little celebration, so there is, I guess we could call it, a lust for life. It is something that really bodes well for his future."
Silayev was joined by his translator when he handled his media availability during the development camp. With his help, the prospect explained that he wants to gain more weight and become stronger before playing hockey in North America.
"I would like to be the best defenseman in the league," he said through his translator. "It is very important (to become more skilled), add more weight, be stronger, and improve in (as many) areas as possible because the NHL is the highest league in the world."
Silayev remains under contract with the KHL for the next two seasons. His head coach is former Devil Igor Larionov .
"He taught me a lot," Silayev said of Larionov, "but most important, he taught me how to be (a) better player, to see the ice better, to skate better, to understand the game better, and to make better passes."
Corey Pronman of The Athletic once wrote that Silayev is "an international man of mystery to those in North America."
Despite being drafted only two weeks ago, the Russian left a lasting impression on the organization that picked him and the fans who will pay to see him once he makes the jump to North America.
In addition to his size and skill set, it was that lust for life and eagerness that Dineen instantly recognized.
"He seems to be really passionate about what he is doing right now."
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