After taking forward Linus Eriksson in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito selected defenseman Matvei Shuravin in the third round, with the 97th overall pick.
Shuravin saw duty in three different tiers during his draft season. He played a total of 11 KHL games, making his debut with CSKA Moscow as a 17-year-old, on October 9, 2023, and collected two assists. He also played five scoreless games in the VHL with Zvezda Moskva. Against his peer group, Shuravin was impressive, finishing with seven assists and 26 PIM in 22 games for CSKA’s junior team in the MHL.
Last season, Shuravin took a step forward while suiting up in 38 MHL games and serving as the team’s assistant captain. He scored four times and led the squad’s defensemen with 20 assists, 24 points and in plus/minus (+26). He played two games for Zvezda Moskva and notched his first-ever VHL goal.
The future is bright for Shuravin, who is a strong passer with prototypical size and wheels. While is limited offensively, he does everything else well.
Another season in Russian is on the slate for this intriguing blueliner who has yet to sign his entry-level contract. That will come in good time.