Matvey Petrov is off to a blazing start in his second OHL season

Matvey Petrov has done nothing but put up points since coming overseas to play in North America.

Petrov was the No. 1 overall choice in the 2020 CHL Import Draft by the North Bay Battalion. He stayed in Russia for the 2020-21 season because of the pandemic and scored 42 points over 58 games for Krylia Sovetov Moskva of the MHL.

The Edmonton Oilers selected Petrov in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft and he made the move to the OHL in the fall. In his first season with the Battalion, Petrov broke out with 40 goals and 90 points over 63 games, good for ninth in league scoring.

Since he was drafted out of Russia rather than the OHL, the Oilers had the option to send Petrov to the AHL to play with the Bakersfield Condors for his 19-year-old season. Instead, they decided that another go-around in the OHL was the right move.

Petrov has picked up right where he left off. In his first two games with the Battalion this season, Petrov has scored five points. He scored a goal and two assists in the team’s season-opening win over the Soo Greyhounds and he added another goal and an assist in North Bay’s second game.

Petrov’s first goal came on a one-time clapper from the top of the face-off circle with the Battalion at even strength…

And Petrov’s second goal came on the power-play as he fanned on a cross-crease pass and then wired a quick wrist shot past the Soo goaltender…

The Battalion will play in Peterborough on Thursday, in Kingston on Friday, and in Ottawa on Saturday before finally making their home debut next Thursday in North Bay against the Petes. We’ll catch up with Petrov after the team’s three games on the weekend.