Philipp Kurashev Explained

Philipp Kurashev
Birth Date:12 October 1999
Birth Place:Davos, Switzerland
Position:Centre
Shoots:Left
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:192
League:NHL
Team:Chicago Blackhawks
Prospect League:AHL
Former Teams:HC Lugano
Ntl Team:CHE
Draft:120th overall
Draft Year:2018
Draft Team:Chicago Blackhawks
Career Start:2019

Philipp Kurashev (Russian: Филипп Курашев; born 12 October 1999) is a Swiss-Russian professional ice hockey centre for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Kurashev was drafted 120th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.[1]

Playing career

Kurashev played his junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Quebec Remparts. He played 183 regular season games and put up 179 points (69 goals) over three seasons. He also played 17 playoff games, putting up 13 points (3 goals).

On 12 March 2019, Kurashev signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.[2] He reported to the Rockford IceHogs at the end of his junior season and made his professional debut on 5 April 2019.[3]

Prior to the 2020–21 season, with the North America season delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurashev remained in Switzerland as he was loaned to the National League (NL) club, HC Lugano, on 6 September 2020.[4] Kurashev made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on 15 January 2021 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.[5] Four days later, on 19 January, Kurashev scored his first NHL goal against Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers.[6]

Kurashev became a restricted free agent before the 2023–24 NHL season and requested an attribution hearing for a new contract. An arbitrator awarded Kurashev a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.25 million on 23 July 2023.[7] He enjoyed his most productive NHL season, recording a career-high 18 goals and 36 assists. He finished second-best on the Blackhawks in goals, assists, and points behind his line mate, Connor Bedard.[8]

International play

Kurashev was named to Switzerland men's national team for the 2019 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia.[9]

He represented Switzerland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a silver medal.[10]

Personal life

Kurashev is the son of Russian former professional hockey player Konstantin Kurashev. He holds Swiss and Russian dual citizenship, and is fluent in English, German, and Russian.[11] [12]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
2014–15SC BernElite Jr. A3 1 1 2 0
2015–16GCK LionsElite Jr. A34 9 9 18 812 4 4 8 8
2016–17Quebec RempartsQMJHL65 21 33 54 104 1 2 3 2
2017–18Quebec RempartsQMJHL59 19 41 60 246 1 4 5 6
2018–19Quebec RempartsQMJHL59 29 36 65 337 1 4 5 8
2018–19Rockford IceHogsAHL3 0 0 0 0
2019–20Rockford IceHogsAHL36 7 12 19 8
2020–21HC LuganoNL13 0 9 9 0
2020–21Chicago BlackhawksNHL54 8 8 16 12
2021–22Chicago BlackhawksNHL67 6 15 21 12
2021–22Rockford IceHogsAHL3 2 1 3 0
2022–23Chicago BlackhawksNHL70 9 16 25 14
2023–24Chicago BlackhawksNHL75 18 36 54 23
NL totals13 0 9 9 0
NHL totals266 41 75 116 61

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2016SwitzerlandU188th51124
2016SwitzerlandIH188th40002
2017SwitzerlandU188th53142
2018SwitzerlandWJC8th51232
2019SwitzerlandWJC4th76174
2019SwitzerlandWC8th81344
2021Switzerland WC6th814514
2022Switzerland WC5th81340
2024Switzerland WC80226
Junior totals261151614
Senior totals323121524

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chicago Blackhawks select Philipp Kurashev in NHL Entry Draft . swisshockeynews.ch . 7 March 2021 . 23 June 2018.
  2. Web site: RELEASE: Blackhawks agree to terms with Kurashev . NHL.com . 7 March 2021 . 12 March 2019.
  3. Web site: Blackhawks' Philipp Kurashev: Makes professional debut . CBSSports.com . 6 April 2019.
  4. Web site: RELEASE: Blackhawks Loan Kurashev and Teply . NHL.com . 7 March 2021 . 5 September 2020.
  5. Web site: Vanecek makes 28 saves in NHL debut, Capitals sweep Sabres . Sportsnet.ca . 7 March 2021 . 15 January 2021.
  6. Web site: Pope . Ben . Blackhawks' overtime loss spoils strong performance from young players . Chicago Sun-Times . 7 March 2021 . 19 January 2021.
  7. News: RELEASE: Blackhawks Agree to Terms with Kurashev . . 2023-07-23 . 2023-07-23 .
  8. News: Kauchak . Gail . Chicago Blackhawks’ 2023-24 Player Grades: Forwards . The Hockey Writers . 2024-04-19 . 2024-05-08 .
  9. Web site: Patrick Fischer cuts final four players from national team . swisshockeynews.ch . 7 March 2021 . 4 May 2019.
  10. Web site: Silver it is - Czechia beats Switzerland in the World Championship final . swisshockeynews.ch . 26 May 2024 . 26 May 2024.
  11. Web site: Wescott . Chris . FEATURE: Kurashev embraces unique background . NHL.com . 11 October 2019 . 18 July 2018.
  12. Web site: Duvefelt . Hampus . Kurashev leading second wave of talented Swiss prospects . eprinkside.com . 7 March 2021 . 31 December 2017.