Yan Kuznetsov Explained

Yan Kuznetsov
Birth Date:2002 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Murmansk, Russia
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lbs:215
Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Calgary Flames
Prospect League:AHL
Prospect Team:Calgary Wranglers
Draft:50th overall
Draft Year:2020
Draft Team:Calgary Flames
Career Start:2021

Yan Kuznetsov (born 9 March 2002) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with the Calgary Wranglers in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1]

Playing career

Kuznetsov as a youth played in his native Russia, within CSKA Moscow under-16 and under-18 programs before moving to North America to continue his development through the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Sioux Falls Stampede and at the collegiate level.

Following his freshman season with University of Connecticut in the Hockey East, Kuznetsov was selected in the second round, 50th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2020 NHL entry draft.

After his sophomore season, Kuznetsov concluded his collegiate career with the Huskies as he was signed by the Flames to a three-year, entry-level contract on 30 March 2021.[2]

During the season, Kuznetsov received his first recall to the NHL by the Flames and made his NHL debut in a 6-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators at the Scotiabank Saddledome on 9 January 2024.[3] He was scoreless through 12 minutes of ice time on the blueline, before he was returned to the AHL to complete the season with the Calgary Wranglers.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
2017–18CSKA Moscow U18Russia U181 0 0 0 0
2018–19Sioux Falls StampedeUSHL34 0 4 4 12
2019–20University of ConnecticutHE34 2 9 11 16
2020–21University of ConnecticutHE16 1 5 6 4
2020–21Stockton HeatAHL6 0 0 0 4
2021–22Stockton HeatAHL12 0 0 0 13
2021–22Saint John Sea DogsQMJHL25 2 11 13 144 0 2 2 0
2022–23Calgary WranglersAHL63 5 14 19 305 0 2 2 0
2023–24Calgary WranglersAHL63 5 8 13 276 1 0 1 0
2023–24Calgary FlamesNHL1 0 0 0 0
NHL totals1 0 0 0 0

International

YearTeamEventResultGP G A Pts PIM
2018RussiaU176 0 1 1 14
2021RussiaWJC4th7 0 0 0 2
Junior totals 13 0 1 1 16

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yan Kuznetsov player profile . . 4 April 2024 . 4 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Flames sign Yan Kuznetsov . . 30 March 2021 . 30 March 2021 .
  3. Web site: Flames catch fire in 3rd, burn Senators 6-3 . . 9 January 2024 . 9 January 2024 .