News release
17 September 2012
ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have agreed to terms with forward Artem Demkov for the 2012-13 season. He brings the number of returnees from last season's Eastern Conference regular season championship team to six.
Demkov, 22, is set to embark on his second season of professional hockey. Along with his old linemate Dustin Gazley, Demkov gives the Jackals each of their top two scorers from a year ago. He racked up 57 points (20G, 37A) to finish second on the Jackals, and fifth among ECHL rookies, in scoring in 2011-12. Demkov went on to lead the team with four goals during the Jackals' Kelly Cup playoff run and tied for the team lead with eight points. He also won the post-season award for Jackals Hardest Working Player.
Prior to joining the North American pro ranks, Demkov spent two seasons in his home country of Belarus. Between Minsk Dynamo and Shakhter Soligorsk he produced 62 points (28G, 34A) over 93 games from 2009 to 2011. The 5-10, 175-pound forward had his first taste of North American hockey in 2008-09 with Cape Breton and Acadie-Bathurst of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. His stat line read 28 points (15G, 13A) and 26 penalty minutes over 59 games between the Screaming Eagles and Titan, and he led Acadie-Bathurst with four goals in five playoff games that spring.