Alexander Nikulin (ice hockey)

Alexander Nikulin
Born (1985-08-25) August 25, 1985
Perm, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Left
KHL team
Former teams
HC Lada Togliatti
CSKA Moscow
Ottawa Senators
Phoenix Coyotes
Amur Khabarovsk
HC Sibir Novosibirsk
HC Spartak Moscow
HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk
NHL Draft 122nd overall, 2004
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 2004present

Alexander Sergeevich Nikulin (born August 25, 1985), is a Russian professional ice hockey player. Nikulin currently plays for HC Lada Togliatti of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Playing career

Alexander turned professional with HC CSKA Moscow of the Russian Super League in 2004. After playing three seasons with CSKA, Alexander signed with the Ottawa Senators who had drafted him 122nd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Nikulin played his first NHL game for the Ottawa Senators on November 22, 2007 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the 2008–09 season Nikulin was assigned to the Binghamton Senators of the AHL. Disappointed with his slow progress to the NHL with the Senators, Nikulin demanded a trade or voiced the possibility of returning to Russia.[1] On November 3, 2008, Nikulin was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Drew Fata.[2] Nikulin was then assigned to affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, where he spent the majority of the season, only playing in a single game with the Coyotes.

On May 24, 2009, failing an adaption to the North American style, Nikulin signed with former team CSKA Moscow of the KHL for the 2009-10 season.[3]

During the 2014–15 season, Nikulin's third stint with CSKA was cut short to 5 scoreless games after he was waived and claimed by Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk on October 29, 2014.[4]

On July 5, 2015, Nikulin continued his career in the KHL, signing a contract with HC Lada Togliatti.[5]

While with the Senators, Nikulin maintained a blog of his transition to North America, that became popular due to its candour.[6]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2004–05HC CSKA MoscowRSL163360
2005–06HC CSKA MoscowRSL511011212271012
2006–07HC CSKA MoscowRSL33511168124264
2007–08Binghamton SenatorsAHL7114365034
2007–08Ottawa SenatorsNHL20000
2008–09Binghamton SenatorsAHL52020
2008–09San Antonio RampageAHL647162320
2008–09Phoenix CoyotesNHL10000
2009–10HC CSKA MoscowKHL4251722230000
2010–11HC CSKA MoscowKHL70110
2010–11Amur Khabarovsk KHL45517224
2011–12Amur KhabarovskKHL446202612
2012–13Amur KhabarovskKHL141232
2012–13HC Sibir NovosibirskKHL3641115671120
2013–14HC Spartak MoscowKHL454488
2014–15HC CSKA MoscowKHL50004
2014–15Buran VoronezhVHL74376
2014–15HC Neftekhimik NizhnekamskKHL221454
KHL totals 260 26 76 102 42 10 1 1 2 0
NHL totals 3 0 0 0 0

International

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2005 Russia WJC 2nd, silver medalist(s) 6 1 1 2 2
Junior totals 6 1 1 2 2

References

  1. "Sens prospect Nikulin demands a trade". TSN. 2008-11-02. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  2. "Coyotes acquire Nikulin from Senators". coyotes.nhl.com. 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  3. "Alexander Nilukin: Dumping the puck is not for me". russianprospects.com. 2009-05-24. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  4. "Nikulin departs to Neftekhimik via waivers" (in Russian). HC CSKA Moscow. 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  5. "Forward Nikulin to continue his career with Togliatti". rusport.ru. 2015-07-05. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
  6. Bruce Garrioch (2007-09-20). "Carkner's dealt a bad hand". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved 2007-09-20.

External links

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