Though the culture was certainly different, on the ice Afansyev showed the same prowess he did back in Russia.
After impressing in the HPHL, Afanasyev was taken 156th overall by the Muskegon Lumberjacks at the 2017 USHL Draft. Afanasyev would tally 76 points (33g-43a) in two seasons with the Lumberjacks before catching the attention of a certain NHL franchise in Nashville.
In 2019, Afanasyev's dream came true as he was selected by the Preds in the second round, 45th overall.
Reflecting on his early days playing in Russia, Afanaysev said none of it would have happened without an encouraging push from his mother.
"Some people approached me and my family and invited us to come to the United States for a tryout," Afanasyev said. "My mom was the one that was like 'Yeah, let's do it.'"
From there, Afansyev continued to develop with the Admirals and through three rounds of offseason NHL camps.
After racking up 26 points (13g-13a) in the first 55 games of the 2022-23 campaign in Milwaukee, Afanasyev finally got his call-up to the big stage, becoming the fourth of six Preds prospects to make his NHL debut this season.
In Nashville, Afanasyev rejoined former Admirals teammates Luke Evangelista, Cody Glass, Mark Jankowksi, Michael McCarron, Tommy Novak, Zach Sanford, Kiefer Sherwood and Philip Tomasino.
The abundance of familiar faces not only helped Afanasyev ease into the next level of professional hockey, but helped create instant chemistry with his linemates.
"Chemistry has been awesome, and especially the last couple of games," Afanasyev said. "We know where we are going to be and we feel each other pretty well… For the past four or five games, I've been getting good time on the ice, more chances at the offensive end and a lot of chances with my line. It's all great momentum."
All that momentum led to another dream-come-true moment as Afanasyev netted his first NHL goal on Monday in Calgary.
With constant support from his teammates and coaches, it certainly won't be the last.
"It's been great, and it's definitely a blessing," he said. "Waking up every day and going to the rink and working hard - it's something you dream of. Now being in this position, I'm thankful] to the coaches and management for giving me this opportunity. It's truly a blessing and I just want to take that opportunity and run with it."
[Click here to listen
to Afansyev's full interview on Episode 199 of the Predators Official Podcast, hosted by Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer.
