"It's unreal. I still can't believe we did it. We've gone through so many challenges, so many little things. We became a really close group and I think that helped us win the Cup," divulged Sergachev. "It's a nice ending, because the team had a lot of highs and lows this season, and I did, too."
Winning the big prize seemed almost impossible after the Spitfires were eliminated in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs more than 50 days before the tournament began. For Sergachev, his hockey career timeline will forever be split between a "before" and "after" the Memorial Cup.
"It will change something [in my life]. I feel that I'm a champion - a real champion - for the first time. It's the toughest trophy to win and we won it, so everyone will see me as a champion because that's what we are," said the 18-year-old Russian blue-liner. "These are the best moments of my life."
Those "best moments of his life" top a long list of major accomplishments Sergachev has achieved since celebrating his 18th birthday on June 25, 2016.
In fact, it all started the day before he turned the big 1-8, when the Canadiens selected him in the first round of the NHL Draft, ninth overall. Then, he started his season with the big club, playing three games with the Habs. In January, he won bronze at the World Junior Hockey Championship with Russia at the Bell Centre and them he capped his dream season by hoisting the Memorial Cup.
"If you told me that a year ago, I would've said, 'I don't think so... but I hope so,'" admitted Sergachev with a chuckle. "This year, between Team Russia, the Canadiens, and the Spitfires, I played for three different teams and four different coaches [including two in Montreal]. It's been a great experience and I learned a lot from it. Now, I'm going to prepare for the next chapter in my life."
The Russian rearguard shared those memorable moments with another Canadiens prospect, Jeremiah Addison, who was a dominant force in the tournament, scoring five goals and adding one assist. Addison was quick to credit his linemates for his offensive prowess.
"The way they played was amazing. [My stats] didn't surprise me. I just took it one shift at a time, one day at a time, and I knew that good things would happen," he explained. "I just had to give it my all on every shift."