Andrei Svechnikov
Svechnikov in 2018.
Born (2000-03-26) 26 March 2000 (age 23)
Barnaul, Russia
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Left
NHL team Carolina Hurricanes
National team  Russia
NHL Draft 2nd overall, 2018
Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career 2018–present

Andrei Igorevich Svechnikov (Russian: Андрей Игоревич Свечников, IPA: [ɐnˈdrʲej ˈiɡərʲɪvʲɪtɕ ˈsvʲetɕnʲɪkəf]; born 26 March 2000) is a Russian professional ice hockey winger for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Hurricanes selected him second overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Amateur

Svechnikov began his junior career in North America with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He signed a tender with the Lumberjacks in May 2016, due in part to proximity to his brother's American Hockey League (AHL) team in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[1][2] In the 2016–17 season, he led the team in scoring and finished sixth overall in the league. Svechnikov was named to the All-USHL Team and declared USHL Rookie of the Year.[3][4]

Svechnikov was selected first overall in the 2017 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft by the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Barrie Colts.[5] During his first season with the club, he recorded 40 goals and 32 assist for 72 points in 44 games. He was rewarded the Emms Family Award as rookie of the year.[6] At the end of the season, he was the top-ranked North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.[7] At the draft, the Carolina Hurricanes selected Svechnikov second overall.[8] On 30 June, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team.[9]

Professional

Svechnikov with Russia in 2016.

Svechnikov made his NHL debut on 4 October 2018, going scoreless in a 2–1 loss to the New York Islanders.[10] One day later, he recorded his first career NHL point (an assist) in a 3–1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.[11] On 7 October, Svechnikov scored his first career NHL goal during an 8–5 win against the New York Rangers. In doing so, he became the first player born in the 2000s to score an NHL goal.[12] Svechnikov finished his rookie season with 20 goals and 17 assists for 37 points. He also recorded 5 points in 9 postseason games.

On 29 October 2019, Svechnikov become the first NHL player to score a Michigan goal, doing so against David Rittich in a 2–1 win over the Calgary Flames.[13] He scored a similar goal on 17 December against the Winnipeg Jets.[14] He greatly improved on his previous season, scoring 24 goals and 37 assists for 61 points. The Hurricanes matched up with the Rangers in the 2020 Qualifying Round.[15] In Game 2 of the series, Svechnikov scored a hat-trick during a 4–1 win. The feat was the first in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers franchise postseason history.[16]

Svechnikov and Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken in 2022.

On 26 August 2021, Svechnikov agreed to an eight-year, $62 million contract with the Hurricanes.[17] On 11 March 2023, Svechnikov's 2022–23 season ended when he suffered a season-ending knee injury during a 4–0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He appeared in 64 games, recording 23 goals and 32 assists for 55 points during the season.[18]

Personal life

Svechnikov's older brother, Evgeny, was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Svechnikov's father, Igor worked as a pediatrician on Sakhalin Island, but after the 1995 Neftegorsk earthquake gave up the practice and moved his family to Barnaul in Siberia, and sold cakes in the region. Svechnikov's mother, Elena, worked two jobs: reception at a hockey rink during the day, and cleaning floors at night. With Elena's connection to the hockey rink both of her sons took an early interest in hockey, and Svechnikov began skating when he was 3.[1]

In order to help both of their sons develop in hockey, Igor and Elena moved to Moscow, though after one year they were recruited by Ak Bars Kazan, so the family moved to Kazan.[1][19] When Svechnikov moved to Michigan to play in the USHL, Elena joined him, and with Evgeny playing nearby they would all frequently spend time together.[1]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2016–17 Muskegon Lumberjacks USHL 48 29 29 58 68 — — — — —
2017–18 Barrie Colts OHL 44 40 32 72 67 8 5 6 11 12
2018–19 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 82 20 17 37 62 9 3 2 5 9
2019–20 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 68 24 37 61 54 6 4 3 7 8
2020–21 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 55 15 27 42 44 11 2 6 8 14
2021–22 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 78 30 39 69 79 14 4 1 5 14
2022–23 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 64 23 32 55 71 — — — — —
NHL totals 347 112 152 264 310 40 13 12 25 45

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Russia U17 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 2 3 5 6
2016 Russia U18 6th 5 2 0 2 2
2016 Russia IH18 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 5 4 1 5 0
2016 Russia U17 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 4 5 3 8 2
2017 Russia U18 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 4 5 9 10
2018 Russia WJC 5th 5 0 5 5 2
Junior totals 32 17 17 34 22

Awards and honours

Award Year
NHL
NHL All-Star Game 2023
International
World Junior A Challenge most valuable player 2016
USHL
First All-Star Team 2017
Rookie of the Year 2017
OHL
Emms Family Award 2017–18

References

  1. ^ a b c d Nugent-Bowman, Daniel (2018). "Number 2 is a Bullet". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  2. ^ USHL (1 May 2016). "Andrei Svechnikov signs tender with Muskegon Lumberjacks". USHL. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Andrei Svechnikov Named USHL Rookie of the Year". USHL. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  4. ^ "All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  5. ^ Morreale, Mike G. "Svechnikov to sign with Barrie of Ontario Hockey League". National Hockey League.
  6. ^ Pereira, Gene. "Colts' Svechnikov named OHL Rookie of the Year". Simcoe Review. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Svechnikov stays No. 1 in Central Scouting final rankings". NHL.com. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  8. ^ Brown, Michael. "Canes Draft Andrei Svechnikov Second Overall". Carolina Hurricanes. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  9. ^ Williams, Terrell (30 June 2018). "Canes Sign Svechnikov to Entry-Level Contract". Carolina Hurricanes. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  10. ^ Gross, Andrew. "Thomas Greiss spectacular in season opener as Islanders win on Josh Bailey's overtime goal". Newsday. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  11. ^ Stacy, Mitch. "Aho, Ferland power Hurricanes over Blue Jackets 3-1". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  12. ^ Alexander, Chip. "Svechnikov, Canes leaping for joy after fun game". The News and Observer. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  13. ^ Pickens, Pat. "Svechnikov converts lacrosse-style goal in Hurricanes win against Flames". National Hockey League. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  14. ^ Gretz, Adam (17 December 2019). "Svechnikov scores another lacrosse-style goal for Hurricanes (Video)". NBC Sports. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  15. ^ Seravalli, Frank (26 May 2020). "NHL outlines 24-team return-to-play format, June 26 Draft Lottery". TSN.ca. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  16. ^ Rosen, Dan. "Svechnikov hat trick helps Hurricanes top Rangers in Game 2 of Qualifiers". National Hockey League. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Canes Agree to Terms with Andrei Svechnikov". Carolina Hurricanes. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  18. ^ Rosen, Dan (14 March 2023). "Svechnikov of Hurricanes to have season-ending knee surgery". NHL.com. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Young Russian hockey star Andrei Svechnikov – and his mother – are loving their stay in Muskegon". Local Sports Journal. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.

External links

Awards and achievements Preceded byMartin Nečas Carolina Hurricanes first round draft pick 2018 Succeeded byRyan Suzuki
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