The North Bay Battalion introduced Matvei Petrov to the media Thursday.

He was chosen first overall in the CHL Import Draft on Tuesday.

Petrov used Battalion forward and fellow Russian Matvey Guskov as a translator during a zoom call and says he’s not too worried about the pressure of being a first overall import pick. He says, “of course there is a little bit of pressure being first overall, but I’m ready for that pressure and I’m ready for next season.”

Petrov says he likes to model his game after another highly skilled Russian player; Pavel Datsyuk. He says he grew up watching all of his games and that was his favourite player so he tries to play like him. Petrov also got a chance to meet Datsyuk at a workout in Miami last year.

Filed under: CHL Import Draft, North Bay Battalion