Mikhail Sergachev’s backyard chickens have had an extra caretaker as of late.
The Utah Mammoth defenseman has taken in prospect Dmitri Simashev, who is adjusting to hockey — and life in general — in the United States after coming over from the two’s home country of Russia.
“I am living at his house,” Simashev said. “It is funny because he has a son — I play with him. Do some stuff in the house. Bring some food for his chickens. It’s really good.”
Simashev (sixth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft) signed his three-year, entry-level contract in May and is using Sergachev as a resource to help prepare the 20-year-old to make a push at the Mammoth’s training camp, which opens next week. Simashev has played in the Kontinental Hockey League with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl for the last three seasons and won the championship with them in May. Now, he’s getting ready for the next challenge.
“Sometimes when you come over here, it’s not only playing at the NHL level, it’s getting accustomed to the cultures and everything about it,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Sergy is great for [Simashev]. He’s a great mentor, he’s a great role model for him. You couldn’t ask for any better to help him transition from playing over there and now coming over here to play in the NHL.”
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) looks to pass down the ice during the second period of the game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
At 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, Simashev has been a highly anticipated prospect for the Mammoth. His size, smooth skating and puck management are already evident. The organization also believes there’s room to grow in his offensive game and overall maturity of his play. The competition will be at an all-time high at Utah’s training camp, but Simashev is ready to make a push. Sergachev has been a key voice in getting him ready.
“I think he’s tired of all my questions every day,” Simashev quipped. “Every time, it’s questions like, ‘How’s this guy? How do you play this?’ He is one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Just every day questions — like, ‘How do you play on the power play?’”
The long-term goal is to have Simashev play in all situations at the NHL level, like Sergachev already does as the Mammoth’s No. 1 defenseman. Simashev logged six points (one goal, five assists) in 56 games in the KHL last season and wants to expand his production to complement his already aggressive defensive style.
“All my life, I like to play offense. Every hockey player — if you’re a defenseman or forward — it doesn’t matter, you want to score a goal or an assist. I try my best. I use my skills and my skating, stickhandling to try to score.”
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dmitri Simashiv (26) runs a drill during Utah Mammoth development camp in Park City, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Simashev will be up against a deep pool of backend options during training camp — Armstrong designed it that way — and it may result in some time in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners, which could very well be best for his development.
Last year, the Mammoth were riddled with injuries on the blueline and nearly ran out of players to plug in. That should not be a problem this season. Beyond Sergachev, Sean Durzi and John Marino, Olli Määttä re-signed, as did Ian Cole and Nick DeSimone. Utah brought in Nate Schmidt and Scott Perunovich through free agency in July, Maveric Lamoureux is waiting in the wings in Tucson and Juuso Välimäki still has a year left on his contract, too.
It will be a battle to solidify the six roster defensemen come opening night.
“Well, I’m not taking dreams away from anybody — I’m not a dream stealer,” Armstrong said. “I think that’s the goodness of our club right now and where we are as an organization. We’ve got six first-rounders that sit outside our team, and they’re all capable of making the team. It is going to be exciting times for us.”
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Daniil But runs drills during Utah Mammoth development camp in Park City, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Another one of those first-rounders is Daniil But, who has been teammates with Simashev in Russia since they were kids. But went 12th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft and signed his entry-level contract the same day as Simashev. The 6-foot-5 forward could change the complexion of Utah’s top six — adding size, a hard shot and physicality — if he pans out.
“This group is amazing. This facility, too. They have a lot of good players,” But said. “I need to play my best game.”
A lot has changed for But and Simashev in the past few months, but hockey remains a constant. With the guidance of players like Sergachev and the support from management, the two will be ones to watch for the foreseeable future. It seems they are determined to make sure of that.
“You are like a hunter,” Simashev said. “Every day you go to the rink, just try to be the best version of you.”