Habs' Ivan Demidov at risk of losing his driver’s licence after legal trouble

Ivan Demidov has been one of the most exciting young players in the NHL since arriving in Montreal, leading all rookies in scoring with 62 points during his debut season. The Canadiens forward is now facing a very different challenge off the ice.

Demidov is fighting to keep his driver's licence after being ticketed for speeding on two separate occasions. The young Russian winger holds a probationary licence, and the accumulated infractions have put him at risk of losing it entirely.

Currently sidelined with a lower-body injury, Demidov has reportedly been using his time away from the lineup to address the legal matter. He appeared at the Montreal courthouse on Friday, where his lawyer, Alfredo Munoz, made a request before Superior Court Justice Éliane Perreault.

The appeal centres on a speeding ticket Demidov received during the summer for travelling well above the posted speed limit on the Bonaventure Expressway. He initially pleaded guilty to the infraction and agreed to pay the fine earlier this year.

However, his legal team is now asking the court to withdraw that guilty plea so Demidov can contest the ticket in Montreal's municipal court. The move appears to be a strategic effort to protect his probationary licence from further consequences.

Under Quebec's graduated licensing system, probationary drivers face stricter penalties for traffic violations than fully licensed motorists. A second speeding conviction can trigger an automatic suspension, which explains the urgency behind the appeal.

Demidov's on-ice contributions have been nothing short of remarkable since he joined the Canadiens. His 62-point rookie campaign established him as one of the franchise's most promising young talents and a cornerstone of the team's rebuild.

The speeding issues, while relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, add an unwanted distraction for a player already dealing with the frustration of being injured early in his second NHL season.

The legal process will play out in the courts while Demidov focuses on recovering from his injury and returning to the Canadiens lineup. Whether he manages to hold onto his licence remains to be seen.