The Scouting Report:
Matvei Shuravin is an 18-year-old native of Moscow, Russia. He is under contract to play his third season with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (Red Army). This Russian junior ice hockey club plays in the Western Conference of the Junior Hockey League (MHL). He is a left-shot defenseman who stands 6’4″ and 198 lbs. He played 11 games for CSKA Moskva in the KHL during the 2023-24 season, recording two assists, a plus-five, and two penalty minutes.
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Draft Projections
Ranked #40 by Inside the Rink/Conrad Jack
Ranked #50 by NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters)
Ranked #37 by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked #52 by THN/Ferrari
Ranked #50 by Daily Faceoff
Ranked #60 by DobberProspects
I’ve highlighted some of Matvei Shuravin’s attributes; let’s explore his strengths and areas for improvement.
Diving Deeper:
Shuravin is a defensive defenseman who has been compared to Vladislav Fetisov, a Hockey Hall of Famer and former New Jersey Devil and Detroit Red Wing, Vladislav. At 18 years old and 6’4″, he is expected to grow in height and put on size, making him a formidable defenseman. Along with his size, his skating is a highlight. He has quick feet, solid edge work, and long strides that allow him to quickly close gaps, disrupt passes, and shut down the opponent’s offense. He played at three different levels this past season, which has made projecting his value more difficult.
Defensive Zone Play:
Shuravin’s skills are highlighted in the defensive zone. His hockey IQ allows him to recognize offensive strategies. This will enable him to use his size, skating ability, and ability to anticipate plays to move to the correct position to restrict passing and scoring chances and to maintain tight coverage on opposing players.
Zone-play is the bread and butter for this left-shot defensemen. Shuravin displays some quality defensive instincts, positioning, and habits. Shuravin shows a high compete level as he is relentless on opponents, chasing them when he needs to or being a defensive stalwart with stick checks, opponent tie-ups, and maintaining favorable defensive body leverage. All this points to good defensive awareness and hockey IQ.
Tyler Rohleder, The Win Column
Skating
Shuravin has great agility, which is shown in his edgework. He can quickly pivot and change direction. His efficient stride allows him to maintain his speed and agility without tiring.
Despite his imposing stature, Shuravin moves with astonishing grace and efficiency. His long, powerful strides generate tremendous speed and momentum, enabling him to cover distances in a short amount of time. Whether he’s chasing down opponents on the backcheck or leading the rush up the ice, Shuravin’s skating mechanics are a sight to behold.
Steven Graves, McKeen’s Hockey
Areas of Improvement:
Offensive Play:
Shuravin’s shot lacks velocity and power, which reduces his offensive effectiveness when shooting from the point. His offensive play can be predictable, as he has a slow release on his shots and poor shot selection. He also lacks creativity and vision in the offensive zone, which makes him easier to defend against.
Prospect Potential:
Shuravin should develop into a top-six defender. To solidify his position in the lineup, he needs to develop several aspects of his offensive play, including his shot, creativity, and ability to move the puck in the zone.
Best Potential Fit:
The Athletic has Shuravin drafted by the Washington Capitals with the 52nd pick. This is an interesting projection as the Capitals have two years remaining on Alex Ovechkin’s contract, in which they will surround him with a team to win the Stanley Cup and adding an 18-year-old may not be the best use of their second-round pick.
Final Thoughts:
Matvei Shuravin has the makings of a solid defenseman in the NHL. At 18, however, he must develop his game to crack the lineup. His injury-shortened season limited his playing time in the KHL, but if he can have a healthy season next year, then he could demonstrate his ability to play with older, more veteran players.
Stats via Elite Prospects
ITR 35: Round One – Inside The Rink
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