The Saginaw Spirit had to wait a bit longer than expected for the arrival of the team’s highly touted summer signing and San Jose Sharks prospect Igor Chernyshov, but the wait was well worth it. Chernyshov, who was selected 33rd overall by the Sharks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, exploded out of the gate in his first game with the Spirit, scoring his first-ever OHL goal less than a minute into his first OHL game and 10 seconds into his first OHL shift.
Welcome to the OHL, Igor š®āšØš®āšØ pic.twitter.com/i8VNddOzi0
— Saginaw Spirit (@SpiritHockey) January 31, 2025
The 18-year-old had an easy tap-in after receiving a pass from defenseman Zayne Parekh. The secondary assist went to Michael Misa, who is expected to be a top pick in this year’s draft.
While the Spirit eventually lost the game to the Kingston Frontenacs 9-5 last night, Chernyshov made sure to score one more before the horn sounded to end the game.
https://t.co/2jrt2VLFni pic.twitter.com/CYu7ndMzXo
— Saginaw Spirit (@SpiritHockey) January 31, 2025
Chernyshov, who appears to be playing with top Spirit players including Misa and Parekh should give the Spirit a boost offensively now that he’s healthy.
He’ll get a chance to test out those legs tomorrow night when the Spirit play the Kitchener Rangers at home.
Why did it take Chernyshov so long to start playing?
So why did it take Chernyshov so long to start with the Spirit? Well, he missed the first half of the season because he was recovering from shoulder surgery.
The projected power forward had shoulder surgery in August. While he spent a few months in Michigan with the Spirit following the surgery, he returned to San Jose in December to work out with the team staff and get into game shape.
Igor Chernyshov was doing some extra drills with Mike Ricci after the Sharks left the ice. The Sharks forward prospect told me expects to be ready to play again sometime in January. pic.twitter.com/q9wOOgu68m
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) December 30, 2024
Eklund, Walman & Chernyshov skating after practice pic.twitter.com/jQPJxH4wDJ
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 30, 2024
Now, he’s back in Michigan and looks like he’s doing just fine.
Could Chernyshov play with the Barracuda soon?
While it’s a bit of putting the cart before the horse and likely not going to happen, there is the possiblity that Chernyshov could play for the Barracuda as soon as next season.
While Chernyshov is only 18, his path could be similar to what happened to fellow prospect Kasper Halttunen this season.
Chernyshov was drafted by an NHL team before he joined the OHL. That means the rules that govern other OHL players don’t impact him the same way. Because he “belonged” to the Sharks first, he can join the Barracuda before he achieves the requisite four seasons, or age of 20 markers that are put in place for most OHL players.
Now, whether the Sharks do that is another question. Chernyshov certainly has the size to play in the AHL – he’s 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds – but he may not have the development the Sharks are looking for and missing half of this season due to injury hasn’t helped.
Luckily, the team doesn’t have to make a decision now or even in the early fall. Like Halttunen, the Sharks can keep Chernyshov with the Barracuda to start the season before making a decision on whether he stays with the team or is returned to his OHL team as Halttunen was in November.
