Ilya Nikulin
PositionDefence
ShootsLeft
Height6 ft
Height in3
Weight lb211
Played forDynamo Moscow
Ak Bars Kazan
Ntl teamRUS
Birth date12 March 1982 (age 44)
Birth placeMoscow, Russian SFSR,
Soviet Union
Career start2000
Career end2019
Draft (2000)31st overall
Draft teamAtlanta Thrashers

Ilya Vladimirovich Nikulin (Russian: Илья Владимирович Никулин; born 12 March 1982) is a Russian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for HC Dynamo Moscow and Ak Bars Kazan in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Nikulin was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the second round, 31st overall in the 2000 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Later that year, Nikulin began his professional career in the Russian Superleague (RSL) with Dynamo Moscow. He played with Dynamo for five seasons. In 2005, he joined Ak Bars Kazan. His five-year contract with Kazan included allowing him to leave for the NHL. However, after negotiations in 2008 and 2009, Nikulin did not sign a contract with the Thrashers.[1]

On 15 July 2020, Nikulin officially announced his retirement from professional hockey, ending a 19-year career.[2]

International play

Nikulin has played for Team Russia. He competed at the 1999 under-18 Championship, earned a silver medal at the 2000 World Junior Championship, a bronze at the 2007 World Championship, a silver at the 2010 World Championship and a gold at the 2008, 2009 and 2012 IIHF World Championships.[3] He was selected to the 2010 Russian Olympic team.[4]

Personal

Nikulin is good friends with Alexander Ovechkin, with whom he played four seasons with during his tenure with Dynamo Moscow. He is also the godfather of Nikulin's son.[5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1998–99Dynamo–2 MoscowRUS.22302218—————
1999–2000Dynamo–2 MoscowRUS.3421310—————
1999–2000THK TverRUS.23936982—————
2000–01Dynamo MoscowRSL4404461—————
2000–01Dynamo–2 MoscowRUS.310002—————
2001–02Dynamo MoscowRSL482134420000
2001–02Dynamo–2 MoscowRUS.320112—————
2002–03Dynamo MoscowRSL401454650114
2003–04Dynamo MoscowRSL541565630002
2003–04Dynamo–2 MoscowRUS.310112—————
2004–05Dynamo MoscowRSL50191065100338
2005–06Ak Bars KazanRSL499918481340436
2006–07Ak Bars KazanRSL51111425991644818
2007–08Ak Bars KazanRSL5731518951013414
2008–09Ak Bars KazanKHL53726337217281022
2009–10Ak Bars KazanKHL49627338622561114
2010–11Ak Bars KazanKHL496354156913410
2011–12Ak Bars KazanKHL5191524521213429
2012–13Ak Bars KazanKHL511222344618461028
2013–14Ak Bars KazanKHL52520255661456
2014–15Ak Bars KazanKHL5813152844201676
2015–16Dynamo MoscowKHL35611171860006
2016–17Dynamo MoscowKHL477162336101454
2017–18Dynamo MoscowKHL5612152728—————
2018–19Dynamo MoscowKHL619152455110224
RSL totals393286189514599112082
KHL totals56292217309549131164258129

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
1999RussiaWJC186th70114
2000RussiaWJC18611210
2006RussiaWC5th71568
2007RussiaWC92024
2008RussiaWC90110
2009RussiaWC91344
2010RussiaOG6th40112
2010RussiaWC90222
2011RussiaWC4th93142
2012RussiaWC102468
2013RussiaWC6th81342
2014RussiaOG5th30002
Junior totals1312314
Senior totals7710213134

References

  1. ^ "Ilya Nikulin: NHL is my Childhood Dream". 7 November 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  2. ^ "Three time World Champion Ilya Nikulin retires" (in Russian). tass.ru. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Ilya Nikulin". Atlanta Thrashers. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  4. ^ "Russia passes on Kovalev, names team". Toronto Sun. 25 December 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  5. ^ "Ilya Nikulin (Atlanta Thrashers): I really wanted to go to Atlanta". Soviet Sports Press. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2009.