Artemi Berezin grew up like most Russian kids, loving the game of hockey and playing it from an early age. Berezin stood out among some of his friends and moved his way up the ranks of hockey, going from House League all the way to AAA hockey in a matter of years. His skating was his biggest asset, that’s why he is still playing to this day in the SHL. And like every other kid at that level, Artemi dreamed of making the next level, and definitely would love a shot in North America, or fall back to the KHL if he needed.

Well one day, on a regular scouting trip to Russia, Roman Morenov of the Montreal Milita, and former SHLer, saw Berezin play and knew he needed to get him on the team. That next draft, Artemi was taken in the second round and began his SHL journey in the now extinct team of Montreal, and the rest they say is history!