Igor Ozhiganov Explained

Igor Ozhiganov
Birth Date:October 13, 1992
Birth Place:Krasnogorsk, Russia
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:207
Position:Defence
Shoots:Right
League:KHL
Team:Dynamo Moscow
Former Teams:CSKA Moscow
Amur Khabarovsk
Sibir Novosibirsk
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ak Bars Kazan
SKA Saint Petersburg
Ntl Team:RUS
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2011

Igor Olegovich Ozhiganov (Russian: Игорь Олегович Ожиганов; born 13 October 1992) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for HC Dynamo Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has formerly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Playing career

Ozhiganov played junior hockey within the CSKA Moscow organization. During the 2010–11 season, he made his professional debut by featuring in two games with CSKA in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Having established himself in the KHL with CSKA, Amur Khabarovsk and Sibir Novosibirsk, Ozhiganov despite being undrafted, initially met with Mike Babcock and Lou Lamoriello of the Toronto Maple Leafs in August 2017.[1] While long rumoured to sign with the Maple Leafs, Ozhiganov played out the 2017–18 season in the KHL with CSKA, scoring 9 points in 42 games.[2]

On 17 May 2018, Ozhiganov signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs.[3] After attending the Maple Leafs training camp, Ozhiganov remained on the opening night roster for the 2018–19 season. On 26 November, he scored his first NHL goal, against the Boston Bruins in a 4–2 home win. Ozhiganov established himself as a regular on the blueline in the first half of the season before falling out of favour with head coach Mike Babcock, sitting as a healthy scratch for 12 of the final 19 contests, including all seven playoff games against the Boston Bruins. He finished the season with 7 points in 53 games.[4]

On 1 May 2019, Ozhiganov's KHL rights were traded by CSKA to Ak Bars Kazan in exchange for Jiri Sekac.[5] As an impending free agent, Ozhiganov's departure from the Maple Leafs was confirmed on 17 May 2019, after he signed a two-year contract to return to the KHL with Ak Bars. His move to Ak Bars reunited Ozhiganov with head coach Dmitri Kvartalnov, formerly of CSKA.[6]

In the 2019–20 season, Ozhiganov made 19 appearances with Ak Bars, posting 8 points before he was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for Roman Rukavishnikov and Viktor Tikhonov on 7 November 2019.[7]

After four seasons with SKA, Ozhiganov was traded one year into his initial four-year contract extension with Saint Petersburg to HC Dynamo Moscow in exchange for financial compensation on 17 July 2023.[8]

Personal life

Ozhiganov is married to rhythmic gymnast Alexandra Merkulova,[9] and they have one son together.[10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2009–10Krasnaya ArmiyaMHL63381116750114
2010–11Krasnaya ArmiyaMHL48414181291604422
2010–11CSKA MoscowKHL20000
2011–12Krasnaya ArmiyaMHL359182748
2011–12CSKA MoscowKHL72022
2012–13Amur KhabarovskKHL493121532
2012–13CSKA MoscowKHL4011261010
2013–14Sibir NovosibirskKHL5215634101236
2014–15Sibir NovosibirskKHL5981321621623510
2015–16CSKA MoscowKHL505111636113252
2016–17CSKA MoscowKHL50814226190110
2017–18CSKA MoscowKHL422791250002
2018–19Toronto Maple LeafsNHL5334714
2019–20Ak Bars KazanKHL1917812
2019–20SKA Saint PetersburgKHL35210121640222
2020–21SKA Saint PetersburgKHL547222918163474
2021–22SKA Saint PetersburgKHL2537108133368
2022–23SKA Saint PetersburgKHL62112637241525710
2023–24Dynamo MoscowKHL666192528100222
KHL totals5765915421334711515243946
NHL totals5334714

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2012RussiaWJC71014
2021ROCWC5th80220
Junior totals 71014
Senior totals 80220

Notes and References

  1. News: Report: Leafs show interest in Russian defenceman Igor Ozhiganov - Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet.ca. 10 February 2018.
  2. News: Maple Leafs sign four players to ELCs. Pension Plan Puppets. 17 May 2018.
  3. Web site: Maple Leafs sign four to entry-level contracts . . 17 May 2018 . 18 May 2018.
  4. Web site: Igor Ozhiganov expected to return to native Russia . . 26 April 2019 . 26 April 2019.
  5. Web site: CSKA make trade with Ak Bars . . 1 May 2019 . 1 May 2019 . Russian.
  6. Web site: Igor Ozhiganov signs contract with Ak Bars . . 17 May 2019 . 17 May 2019 . Russian.
  7. Web site: Roman Rukavishnikov and Viktor Tikhonov at Ak Bars . . 7 November 2019 . 7 November 2019.
  8. Web site: Igor Ozhiganov moves to the Blue and White . . 17 July 2023 . 17 July 2023 . Russian .
  9. News: Hornby . Lance . LEAFS LOCKER: Igor an eager learner of the language . 5 October 2018 . Toronto Sun . 3 October 2018.
  10. News: Hornby . Lance . New Leafs defenceman 'Ozzie' already in love with Toronto . 5 October 2018 . Toronto Sun . 24 August 2018.