Photo: Avangard Omsk

In only his second game back following treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Ivan Miroshnichenko, the Capitals first round selection from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, is already in mid-season form. He scored his first goal of the season, contributed an assist and scored the shootout winner in Monday’s MHL game against Mamonty Yugry.

Камбэк в большой хоккей 😍

Первый гол Ивана Мирошниченко после возвращения 🦅#ЛигаСильных pic.twitter.com/oNjJXekwRQ

— Молодежная Хоккейная Лига (@MHL_rus) November 7, 2022

On Monday Miroshnichenko turned in an impressive outing in just his second game back, scoring a goal, an assist and ultimately notching the shootout winner.

ADD AN APPLE!
🚨 Pavel Leuka PP #OYA
🍎 Ivan Miroshnichenko #ALLCAPS
2-2 #MHL pic.twitter.com/6Zz5ofs4PN

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) November 7, 2022

As noted, Miroshnichenko turned in the shootout winner as well.

YOU CAN’T WRITE A BETTER ENDING!!! 🥰
SHOOTOUT WINNER 💥
🚨 Ivan Miroshnichenko SO #ALLCAPS
3-2 Omskie Yastreby #MHL pic.twitter.com/XfI3J4mekF

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) November 7, 2022

After the game, the Omsk Hawks MHL Instagram posted on their Instagram account, “Ivan Miroshnichenko is the main hero of today! Compared, gave a pass, and issued a victory bulletin! We were waiting for you, Vanya!”

Ivan Miroshnichenko awarded hard hat for “player of the game”. 💪👊 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/hv0ELsyjCT

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 7, 2022

As a result of his goal, assist, and shootout-winning goal, he was awarded the helmet for the “best player of the game”.

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A post shared by ХК «Омские Ястребы» (@omsk_hawks_mhl)

The story from the Omsk Avangard site can be found here.

2022 has been an extremely challenging year for the Capitals’ first-round draft pick. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma back in January, but after successfully completing a course of treatment in Germany in June, he was cleared by doctors to return to skating and workouts.

Miroshnichenko had begun working out with his team on October 21 and was cleared for game action on Friday. On Saturday, he made his first start of the season for Avangard’s MHL (Junior) squad and recorded 15 minutes of ice time.

Capitals assistant general manager Ross Mahoney praised the 18-year-old’s maturity and mental composure throughout the trying time he has gone through since his diagnosis.

“He was always a captain of his under-17, under-18 team, and even the tournament last November with the under-20 he was the assistant captain, so it is probably an indicator of his character…he went through an awful lot but I think it speaks volumes of his character and the type of person he is,” said Mahoney.

By Diane Doyle