Anton Silayev signed his first National Hockey League contract with the New Jersey Devils, marking a significant step in his hockey career, according to a June 2 announcement. The defenseman, who was drafted 10th overall by the Devils in 2024, is set to move to North America after three seasons of development in the Kontinental Hockey League.
“It’s really positive emotions,” Silayev said through his translator, Alex. “It’s another step in my hockey career and life as well. That’s something I was coming to all my life.”
Silayev said that his time playing in Russia helped him grow both physically and mentally as a player. “The last two years made me stronger physically and mentally as a hockey player,” he explained. “I worked on my skating, hockey sense, and the little details in my game that can help make me a better player.” He added that he strives to improve every day: “I have my goal to be better, work harder every day. Every day is a new day.”
Igor Larionov, Hall of Famer and former coach of Silayev in Russia, played an important role during this period of development. In an interview with NewJerseyDevils.com from June 2025, Larionov said, “When the guy wants to get better, he’s going to ask questions, and (Silayev) does… And that, to me, is key one when you can see improvement.” Larionov also praised Silayev’s mobility for his size: “To have size like that and to be more mobile, smooth… It’s the way with his kind of frame… His ability and technique is remarkable.”
Despite these compliments from coaches and others around him over the years—regarding both skillset and character—Silayev said he remains focused on continued growth rather than past praise: “I’m very thankful for what Igor said about me because he influenced me a lot,” he said. “But I still have my goal. I want to get better and work harder every day.”
As he prepares for this next phase with the Devils organization—and leaving family behind—Silayev described telling them about signing as difficult but necessary for pursuing his dream: “It was really tough for me to let them know,” he said. Eventually they came around; now they support him fully.
“That’s the best league in the world,” Silayev said about joining the NHL. He has been following highlights of New Jersey games from afar while preparing himself for their style of play: “I’ve heard only good things about the organization… I’m very happy to be part of the New Jersey Devils organization.”
