Ivan Miroshnichenko had the first of what should be many unforgettable moments in the NHL when he potted his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
After celebrating with his teammates on the ice, the young Russian came streaking over to the Washington Capitals’ bench where he was mobbed by his idol Alex Ovechkin.
Ovechkin hugged Miroshnichenko, gave him a facewash, and patted him on top of the helmet. The Great Eight was asked after the team’s morning skate on Saturday about that moment.
“Yeah, I was happy for him,” Ovechkin said. “He’s great kid. He’s going to have a great future. And everything he’s been through the last couple years. So, see him play in NHL, getting his first NHL goal, it was pretty special, obviously. I’m happy for him, happy for his family.
Miroshnichenko’s journey to his first NHL marker has been a more winding one than most. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in early 2022, forcing him to miss much of his draft year and keeping him away from hockey as he underwent treatment. After eventually returning to the ice in KHL team Avangard Omsk’s organization in November of 2022, Miroshnichenko signed with the Capitals in May of 2023.
This season is his first professional campaign in North America and he has primarily spent his time in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. In the AHL, Miroshnichenko has recorded 25 points (9g, 16a) in 47 games. After Anthony Mantha was recently dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights, Miroshnichenko got his first opportunity to get back into the NHL lineup since December 27.
Ovechkin was asked if it’s nice to have young guys like Miroshnichenko up with the team while they’re fighting to get into the playoffs.
“Yeah, it’s good for them,” Ovechkin said. “They’re going to have ice time. They’re going to have experience. For the future, it’s good.”
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan revealed on Friday that the organization plans for Miroshnichenko to ping-pong back and forth between Washington and Hershey for the rest of the season. Miroshnichenko was on the ice for Saturday’s morning skate and looks primed to start on the left wing of the team’s third line with Dylan Strome and Sonny Milano.
The Capitals play the Chicago Blackhawks later in the night. The game will mark Miroshnichenko’s sixth in the big leagues, giving him another chance for him to get on the scoreboard.
