Calgary Flames first round pick forced to change league
Calgary Flames first round pick Matvei Gridin is changing where he is playing hockey in the fall. The 28th overall pick from this year's draft was planning to attend and play for the University of Michigan next season but that has changed.
The reason he won't be attending the University of Michigan has nothing to do with hockey. Gridin's grades were not good enough. He is now expected to play in the QMJHL next season,
The 18 year old Russian native, has spent the past two seasons in in North America, playing for the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks. Gridin really took off this past season, putting up 38 goals and 83 points in 60 games. Earlier in the year, Gridin took to his social media to post that he was committed to the University of Michigan in the fall, something that isn't going to occur any longer.
Gridin was selected first overall by Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) 🇨🇦 in the 2024 Canadian Hockey League import draft.
The Athletic's Scott Wheeler broke that Val-d'Or is expected to trade his rights to Rimouski Oceanic.
It's obviously not a great sign that Gridin's grades were what held him back from going to the University of Michigan. The reason could be a language barrier, Gridin spent the entirety of his life in Russia, only coming to the USA two years ago after being selected in the USHL draft. He also may not be the brightest crayon in the box.
If Gridin is moved to Rimouski, it will guarantee him a shot at the Memorial Cup, as the team is hosting the event this year.
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