Viktor Antipin Explained

Victor Antipin
Birth Date:1992 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Oskemen, Kazakhstan
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:176
Shoots:Left
League:KHL
Team:Traktor Chelyabinsk
Former Teams:Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Buffalo Sabres
SKA Saint Petersburg
HC Vityaz
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Ntl Team:RUS
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2011

Victor Vladimirovich Antipin (Russian: Виктор Владимирович Антипин; born 6 December 1992) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Buffalo Sabres. He is the son of Vladimir Antipin.

Playing career

Antipin joined the youth team of Metallurg Magnitogorsk as a 16-year old in the 2008–09 season. He made his debut in the Kontinental Hockey League on the blueline with Magnitogorsk in the 2010–11 season, appearing in 2 games.[1]

After six seasons and two Gagarin Cups with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, following the 2016–17 season, Antipin terminated his contract with the club in order to pursue his NHL ambitions on 1 May 2017.[2] He later signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres on 25 May 2017.[3] Antipin recorded his first NHL point on 24 October 2017 against the Detroit Red Wings.[4] Antipin missed 13 games in January due to an illness.[5] On 31 March 2018 Antipin was hit by Nashville Predators forward Scott Hartnell, suffering a concussion and broken nose from the hit.[6] [7] He was ruled out indefinitely for the rest of the season.[8]

As a restricted free agent, Antipin was not qualified by the Sabres due to his falling on the depth chart.[9] On 2 July 2018, Antipin opted to return to former club, Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL, agreeing to an optional three-year contract.[10]

After two seasons in his return to Magnitogorsk, Antipin left as a free agent and signed an improved two-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg on 7 May 2020.[11]

Following his first full season with SKA Saint Petersburg in 2020–21, Antipin was traded, alongside Miro Aaltonen, to HC Vityaz in exchange for four prospects on 15 June 2021.[12] Antipin began the 2021–22 season with Vityaz, posting 3 assists through 28 games before he was again on the move after he was traded to Salavat Yulaev Ufa in exchange for Yevgeni Lisovets on 19 November 2021.[13]

On 8 May 2023, Antipin was signed as a free agent to a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk for the 2023–24 season.[14]

International play

Antipin played the 2009 World Junior A Challenge where he won the bronze medal with the Russian U18 team. He later played for Russian U18 national team in the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships where the team finished in fourth place. Antipin played for the silver medal-winning Russian U20 national team in the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and later played for Russian men's national team in 2015, 2016 and 2017 world championships.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2009–10Stalnye LisyMHL3929112250002
2010–11Stalnye Lisy MHL444101468174268
2010–11Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL20000
2011–12Stalnye Lisy MHL406192518112460
2012–13Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL50101121871230
2013–14Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL459817162145925
2014–15Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL54516214102570
2015–16Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL5669158233478
2016–17Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL596182481874112
2017–18Buffalo SabresNHL470101018
2018–19Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL55111627860334
2019–20Metallurg MagnitogorskKHL60514191050002
2020–21SKA Saint PetersburgKHL53291110150112
2021–22HC VityazKHL2803310
2021–22Salavat Yulaev UfaKHL14011440112
2022–23Salavat Yulaev UfaKHL591781060000
2023–24Traktor ChelyabinskKHL554131710141236
KHL totals5905912518410612918274551
NHL totals470101018

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2010RussiaWJC184th71126
2012RussiaWJC70222
2015RussiaWC100332
2016RussiaWC60116
2017RussiaWC100440
Junior totals 141348
Senior totals 260888

Awards and honors

AwardYear
MHL
All-Star Game2011
KHL
All-Star Game2013
Gagarin Cup2014, 2016
Gentleman Award2015

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Na krásu se nehraje. Dvacítka proti Rusům nezklamala, mistry světa ale neporazila . Hokej.cz . 2014-05-15 . 2014-05-15 .
  2. Web site: Jan Mursak in Torpedo and other transactions . . 2017-05-01 . 2017-05-01 . ru.
  3. Web site: Sabres sign defenseman Antipin . . 2017-05-25 . 2017-05-25.
  4. Web site: VanGilder. Rachel. Sabres shut out struggling Red Wings. woodtv.com. 27 April 2018. 24 October 2017. Antipin's assist was the first point of his career..
  5. Web site: LaBarber. Jourdon. Antipin returns to lineup for Sabres in Edmonton. NHL.com. 27 April 2018. 23 January 2018.
  6. News: John Vogl. Mike Harrington. Sabres Notebook: Players feel for Antipin; Eichel named NHL Third Star. 27 April 2018. 2 April 2018. Toronto.
  7. Web site: Sabres D Victor Antipin has concussion, broken nose. ESPN.com. 27 April 2018. 1 April 2018.
  8. News: Sabres' Victor Antipin out indefinitely with concussion, broken nose following hit. 27 April 2018. Buffalo News. 1 April 2018.
  9. Web site: Sabres will not extend offers to Wilson, Antipin . . 2018-06-26 . 2018-06-26.
  10. Web site: Metallurg signs a contract with Viktor Antipin . . 2018-07-02 . 2018-07-02 . ru.
  11. Web site: Viktor Antipin in SKA! . . 7 May 2020 . 7 May 2020 . ru.
  12. Web site: Vityaz complete trade with SKA . . 15 June 2021 . 15 June 2021 . Russian.
  13. Web site: Salavat acquire Viktor Antipin . . 19 November 2021 . 19 November 2021 . Russian.
  14. Web site: Viktor Antipin in Traktor . . 8 May 2023 . 8 May 2023 . Russian.