Kirill Semyonov Explained

Kirill Semyonov
Team:Ak Bars Kazan
League:KHL
Former Teams:Avangard Omsk
Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Toronto Maple Leafs
Position:Forward
Birth Date:27 October 1994
Birth Place:Omsk, Russia
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:176
Shoots:Left
Ntl Team:RUS
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2013

Kirill Semyonov (born October 27, 1994) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He formerly played in North America for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Playing career

Semyonov played as a youth within hometown club, Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Semyonov made his professional and KHL debut playing with Avangard Omsk during the 2013–14 KHL season.[1]

During the 2015–16 season, Semyonov was traded by Omsk to Metallurg Novokuznetsk in exchange for Maksim Kazakov on 14 December 2015.[2] In an increased role, Semyonov featured in the final 20 regular season games with Novokuznetsk, posting 6 points. In the following 2016–17 season, Semyonov enjoyed a break out season with Novokuznetsk, leading the team in scoring with 13 goals and 27 points through 60 games in what would be the club's final season in the KHL.

Semyonov remained in the KHL, returning to original club Avangard Omsk on a two-year contract on 9 June 2017.[3] Emerging as a top-six scoring role forward, Semyonov increased his goal totals in four consecutive seasons, leading Avangard in scoring during the 2019–20 season with 16 goals and 46 points through 62 regular season games to represent Avangard at the 2020 KHL All-Star Game.

In the following 2020–21 season, Semyonov after contributing with 26 points in 60 regular season games, posted career best playoff appearances by featuring in 23 post-season games and collecting 4 goals and 9 points to help Avangard claim their first Gagarin Cup in franchise history with a 4-2 series win over CSKA Moscow.

As an undrafted free agent, Semyonov left the KHL and signed a one-year, entry-level deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL for the 2021–22 season on 5 May 2021.[4] After attending the Maple Leafs 2021 training camp, Semyonov was assigned to begin his first North American season with American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Semyonov scored at a point-per-game pace with 1 goal and 8 assists in 9 contests before he was recalled to the Maple Leafs on 7 November 2021. He made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs, appearing in a bottom six forward role in a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on 10 November 2021.[5] He featured in 3 games with the Maple Leafs without registering a point before he was returned to the AHL on 30 November 2021.[6] Unwilling to continue in the AHL with the Marlies, Semyonov opted mutually terminate his contract with the Maple Leafs and was placed on unconditional waivers on 2 December 2021.[7]

On 6 December 2021, Semyonov as a free agent subsequently returned to Russia and rejoined previous club, Avangard Omsk, for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[8]

On 5 May 2022, having left Avangard as a free agent, Semyonov signed a two-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan.[9]

International play

On 23 January 2022, Semyonov was named to the roster to represent Russian Olympic Committee athletes at the 2022 Winter Olympics.[10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2012–13Omskie YastrebyMHL60141125261324614
2012–13Yastreby OmskMHLB22352
2013–14Omskie YastrebyMHL45153348241425714
2013–14Avangard OmskKHL30000
2014–15Avangard OmskKHL492464103144
2015–16Avangard OmskKHL70002
2015–16Saryarka KaragandaVHL1413410
2015–16Metallurg NovokuznetskKHL2015616
2015–16Metallurg NovokuznetskKHL6013142769
2017–18Avangard OmskKHL5413173034710112
2018–19Avangard OmskKHL6215132816193698
2019–20Avangard OmskKHL621630463864264
2020–21Avangard OmskKHL60101626432345910
2021–22Toronto MarliesAHL918910
2021–22Toronto Maple LeafsNHL30000
2021–22Avangard OmskKHL81344133368
2022–23Ak Bars KazanKHL68112334532423510
2023–24Ak Bars KazanKHL681328413050002
KHL totals5219515324830910720204058
NHL totals30000

International

Awards and honours

AwardYear
MHL
Champion (Omskie Yastreby)2013
All-Star Game2014
KHL
All-Star Game2020
Gagarin Cup (Avangard Omsk)2021[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kirill Semyonov player profile . . 2015-02-03 . 2015-02-03.
  2. Web site: Transfer news: Three trades . . 14 December 2015 . 14 December 2015 . Russian.
  3. Web site: Forward Kirill Semyonov is in Vangard . . 9 June 2017 . 9 June 2017 . Russian.
  4. Web site: Maple Leafs sign Kirill Semyonov to entry-level deal . . 5 May 2021 . 5 May 2021.
  5. Web site: Nylander, Campbell lead Maple Leafs to 3-0 win over Flyers . . 10 November 2021 . 10 November 2021.
  6. Web site: Maple Leafs announce roster transactions . . . 30 November 2021 . 30 November 2021.
  7. Web site: Maple Leafs place Semyonov on waivers for contract termination . . December 1, 2021 . December 2, 2021.
  8. Web site: Kirill Semyonov returns to Champions . . 6 December 2021 . 6 December 2021 . Russian.
  9. Web site: Kirill Semyonov moves to Ak Bars . . 2022-06-05 . 2022-06-05 . Russian.
  10. Web site: ROC targets repeat gold . 24 January 2022 . 9 February 2022 . International Ice Hockey Federation.
  11. Web site: Avangard is crowned 2021 Gagarin Cup Champions . . 29 April 2021 . 29 April 2021 . Russian .