The NHL can welcome a new Gonchar in the coming years. Sergei, known for his time at the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, not only lifted the Stanley Cup, but was also considered one of the best defenders of his time. After his retirement he became a coach. Meanwhile, in Magnitogorsk, his cousin – Artyom Gonchar – developed his skills after he had moved at a young age from the Tractor Chelyabinsk Hockey School to Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
On the most recent NHL concept, the New York Rangers selected the defender With the 89th general choice. But even before the ceremony, the young Blueliner had considered an overseas. The 18-year-old will certainly spend the coming season in the Ontario Hockey League, play for the Sudbury Wolves. In an interview with SportArtyom Gonchar explained his decision to go to the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), shared his concept daily experience and revealed how his Stanley Cup-winning uncle helps to shape his way to the NHL.
** You can read the original interview in the Russian language on Sport-Express by Mikhail Skryl here **
The young defender is currently practicing in Ontario to commit himself to the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. “I came to Toronto to get ready for the season,” Gonchar explains. “I have a personal coach here and we train together in the gym. It is my first year that you are preparing in Canada. I spoke with my uncle and he knew a coach here who could help me in top condition.”
His coach in Toronto is Andy O’Brien. “He trained Sidney Crosby, Nathan Mackinnon … and now I work with him,” he continues. “At the moment we train one on one, but more guys can participate later. You can see that he is very professional in his approach, and I like everything.”
One of the biggest obstacles for Russian players crossing the ocean is the language barrier. An area where Gonchar is still a work-in-progress. “I still learn English, so I can’t speak fluently,” the defender admits. “I only know a few sentences. But during training it is not a big problem – I can use a translator if necessary. The coach usually shows me what to do, and I just follow.”
Move to Canada
Gonchar was recently prepared in the CHL by the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he will spend the following season, even if he initially continued to try to give it more Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) another shot. “I was prepared by the Sudbury Wolves and I decided to continue my career in Canada. There are many strong and talented young players in the OHL,” Gonchar explains his decision. “Most boys here are Canadian or American. Competing with them gives me the chance to grow. And of course the smaller ice rinks and the North -American playing style will help me adjust and go to my goal – reaching the NHL.”
Before his move, Metallurg was interested in retaining the young talent. “I did not personally spoke to the management – my uncle treated that. They offered me to stay, but together we decided that it would be better for me to develop in the Ontario League.” His uncle also almost acts as his agent. “He does that to a certain extent,” says the Blueliner. “I have an agent, but my uncle helps me a lot. We are very close and I can always turn to him for advice.”
The NHL concept had an absolute influence on its decision about which team to play for next season. He brings his uncle Sergei in another time. “My uncle and I had already discussed it before the design. Even before the Rangers chose me, I already knew that I would end up in Canada – and that is exactly what happened.” He spoke with the representatives of the Rangers about his future. “The explorer we are in contact with knows that I will play in Canada next season. He has passed it on to management. I have not yet had direct contact with the Rangers. But I think they are happy that I will play in Canada – it will be easier for them to keep track of my progress.”
Metallurg Magnitogorsk, and in particular head coach Andrei Razin, is a franchise known for his confidence in young players. A few recent examples include Philadelphia Flyers -ProSpect Nikita Grebenkin and Chicago Blackhawks Roman Kanterov, although in the past seasons it mainly comes to the KHL, no defenders. “I don’t think I’ve had a lot of shot in the KHL because of my weight,” says Gonchar. “But that didn’t really affect my decision anyway.” His current weight is 72 kilos or 159 pounds, not much for today’s standards, with data that indicates an average weight north of 200 pounds for NHL defenders. “For a defender it is important to be stronger and solider. At the moment I am working on building muscle mass. Every team with whom I spoke said I should arrive.”
Be a future New York Ranger
Dericated by the Rangers at 89th General was a bit of a surprise for the Blueliner. “I actually thought I would be picked lower. I am really happy that the Rangers have selected me, and also so high. I am not even sure why it happened. I think they see potentially in me and are willing to invest in my development – that is probably why they took me into the third round.” Before the concept, teams usually ask for future trot tees. The most common him was asked: “Which NHL player do you want to be?”; “Quinn Hughes and Rasmus Dahlin,” he replied.
His position on the ice clear has something to do with his uncle, but the impact of his brother has not been inferior. He also loved Ivan Provorov as a child. “My older brother is also a defender. My uncle was a defender. So of course I also had to be one. I loved hockey since I was a child. I grabbed a stick and ran through the house, and later I came in organized hockey.” Gonchar was born in Chelyabinsk and then moved to Magnitogorsk. Both teams have very good hockey academies and traditions. “My older brother was invited to play for Metallurg. I followed him there,” he says. “The training conditions at Tractor were not the best and our whole family eventually moved to Magnitogorsk.”
Related: Assessing the Rangers’ 2025 NHL Draft Class
The NHL concept was held online for the first time in 2025. The move also had its impact on players. “I traveled from Magnitogorsk to Chelyabinsk at home,” Gonchar says about his experience. “We gathered around the TV as a family and watched the sketch together. I watched the first day of the design while I was still in Magnitogorsk – I was curious to see who would go in the first round. I am really happy for Pyotr Andreyanov – it was great to see that he was having a very string of andre, not the only thing for the andre for the Andreyanov. That Maxim Agafonov van Tolpar would go much higher – I actually expected that he would be picked for me. “Agafonov ended in the fifth round through the Seattle Kraken.
Clear goals for Gonchar
Gonchar already has a clear spirit of his goals in the coming years. “I want to play in juniors, continue to develop and eventually chase my dream to make the NHL. I have been eligible for two more years in the OHL. At the moment I am focused on the coming season – I am not thinking too far ahead. I have already spoken with the team. Funny enough, Ivan Provorov’s younger brother Plays there too. “And with clear goals, excellent talent and his uncle by his side, Gonchar’s future looks bright.
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