New Jersey Devils prospect Arseni Gritsyuk prepares for NHL debut after move from Russia

Thirteen hours and thirty minutes marked the longest segment of Arseni Gritsyuk’s journey from Russia to New Jersey, a trip that both the 24-year-old hockey player and the New Jersey Devils had anticipated for some time. The flight brought one of the organization’s notable prospects to North America, where he is set to join his new team.

Gritsyuk chose an aisle seat for mobility during the lengthy travel, bringing with him two large hockey bags and a suitcase containing essentials from his life in Russia. His route included a six-hour flight from Russia to Dubai, followed by a 13-and-a-half-hour trip to Montreal. He passed the time messaging friends and watching television shows, managing about three hours of sleep. Reflecting on his luck during the flight, Gritsyuk said, “When I flew to Montreal, there was an empty seat next to me,” adding humorously.

Upon arriving in North America—his third visit after two trips to Edmonton for international tournaments—his first thought was simple: “I need food,” he laughed when asked what went through his head the moment he stepped off the plane. He bought a Caesar salad and a chocolate bar but admitted disappointment with the salad and ended up buying more chocolate bars along with trying blue-flavored Gatorade for the first time.

After picking up his bags in Montreal, Gritsyuk continued on to Ottawa while awaiting his work visa for entry into New Jersey. There he reconnected with former teammate Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens, who quickly visited after seeing Gritsyuk’s social media post about being nearby. The two spent several hours together—a helpful encounter as Gritsyuk prepared for his transition to playing in North America.

Demidov offered advice based on NHL experience: “He told me you need to always be stronger, like always, always be ready for the hit,” Gritsyuk recalled. “I talked to him after Montreal (lost) in the playoffs. I called him for a lot of details. He said it’s always a challenging game, every game. The pressure, there’s always pressure, not much time. And the micro-battles, so important. When you go back (for the puck), body check, body check, body check,” Gritsyuk grinned.

The period between his last game with St. Petersburg on April 6 and rookie camp has been longer than usual—over five months—but focused on training and building muscle: “Before I would have just two months and go with St. Petersburg, now I have workout four months… Right now, I worked with high weights because I needed more muscle.”

After obtaining his visa in Ottawa—and meeting Devils’ European scout Misha Manchik—Gritsyuk arrived in New Jersey less than 24 hours before joining teammates at Prudential Center ahead of training camp.

Despite describing himself as bashful about English proficiency—”I need more words,” he laughs—Gritsyuk has taken language classes twice weekly over the past year and manages most interactions independently. Manchik assists only occasionally with translations when needed.

“It was important for me (to learn English), it’s better for me because I will understand coach,” said Gritsyuk.

Looking ahead at playing alongside established players such as Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt, Gritsyuk acknowledges there are still many unknowns about adapting to NHL play: “For me, I don’t know what it is… hockey here… what is it—the hockey that they play,” he shared.

Still adjusting to life off-ice as well—including getting accustomed to new names—he points out differences compared to Russia: “In Russia… everyone’s name is Sergei, Maxim, Anton. Here it’s Jake, Bobby…”

As part of easing this transition process before main training camp begins in two weeks—with guidance from assistant coach Sergei Brylin and fellow Russian Evgenii Dadonov—Gritsyuk notes their support will be crucial: “It’s important,” he said. “If I didn’t have them it would be a little bit harder for me.”

General manager Tom Fitzgerald commented on July 2 regarding anticipation around new additions: “Gritsyuk will be the one that we’re really excited to see when he comes over here,” Fitzgerald said.

Responding through Manchik about Fitzgerald’s remarks regarding expectations: “I really appreciate that so much,” Gritsyuk said through Manchik when asked about Fitzgerald’s comments. “Tom Fitzgerald is saying that so I am really excited and will try to live up to that.”