Kirill Kaprizov
Kaprizov with the Minnesota Wild in 2023
Born (1997-04-26) 26 April 1997 (age 26)
Novokuznetsk, Russia
Height 5 ft 10[1] in (178 cm)
Weight 202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Minnesota Wild
Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
CSKA Moscow
National team  Russia
NHL Draft 135th overall, 2015
Minnesota Wild
Playing career 2014–present
Medal record
Representing  Olympic Athletes from Russia
Men's ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Gold medal – first place 2018 Pyeongchang
Representing  Russia
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2017 Canada
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Helsinki

Kirill Olegovich Kaprizov (Russian: Кирилл Олегович Капризов; born 26 April 1997) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Before joining the Wild, Kaprizov played for Metallurg Novokuznetsk, Salavat Yulaev Ufa and CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Kaprizov won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2021, becoming the first Wild player to win the award. Fans have nicknamed him "Dollar Bill Kirill" and "Kirill the Thrill".[2]

Early life

Kaprizov grew up in a small village about 60 miles (97 km) outside Novokuznetsk. He began playing hockey at age four, traveling daily between his village and downtown Novokuzentsk for practice, before moving to the city to further his hockey career. Kaprizov played in the Metallurg Novokuznetsk hockey school as a child, progressing to the Kuznetskie Medvedi junior team before beginning his professional career with the senior team in 2014.[3]

Playing career

KHL career (2014–2020)

Kaprizov playing for Metallurg Novokuznetsk against Dinamo Minsk in 2015

Kaprizov made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut playing with his hometown club, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, during the 2014–15 KHL season, after being drafted first overall in the 2014 KHL Junior Draft.[4] On 21 August 2015, Kaprizov was signed to a three-year contract extension to remain with Metallurg Novokuznetsk.[5]

On 2 May 2016, he was traded to Salavat Yulaev Ufa.[6] He would play one season for Ufa, totaling 42 points in 49 games before being traded to CSKA Moscow in 2017 in exchange for monetary compensation.[7] He played in the 2018 and 2019 Gagarin Cup finals, winning the latter.

During his final season under contract with CSKA in 2019–20, Kaprizov set career-high marks with 33 goals (ranked 1 in the KHL), 29 assists, and 62 points (ranked 3 in the KHL) and tied his career best in games-played with 57.[citation needed] He registered his 100th career goal on 15 October 2019, becoming the youngest player in KHL history to do so, at 22 years, 172 days old.[citation needed] In the postseason, Kaprizov posted four points in CSKA's first-round series sweep against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod before the KHL cancelled its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he and the rest of CSKA team were awarded the title of KHL champions based on regular standings.[8] During his KHL career, Kaprizov was selected to five KHL All-Star Games in each year from 2016 to 2020.

Minnesota Wild (2021–present)

Kaprizov was drafted by the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, 135th overall. According to Wild owner Craig Leipold, the Wild's scouting department only became aware of Kaprizov when smog from the 2014 California wildfires delayed their flight home from a scouting trip in Russia. This allowed them to attend one of Kaprizov's games for Metallurg Novokuznetsk.[3] Upon being drafted by the Wild, Kaprizov learned about Minnesota from his Novokuznetsk teammate and Minnesota native Ryan Stoa. He has credited Stoa with helping him to learn English to prepare for his career in the NHL.[9]

Early NHL career: Calder Trophy, contract extension, and franchise records

On 13 July 2020, Kaprizov signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Minnesota Wild.[10] The contract would include the 2019–20 season, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he did not play his first game until the 2020–21 season.[11] Kaprizov made his NHL debut on 14 January 2021 against the Los Angeles Kings. He tallied three points, including the game-winning goal in overtime, in a 4–3 victory for the Wild. In this game, he became the first player in NHL history to score three points and an overtime goal in his debut,[12] and became the third player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in his debut.[13] He was subsequently named NHL First Star of the Week for the week ending 17 January.[14] Kaprizov scored his first NHL hat trick on 12 March, in a 4–0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.[15] On 19 April, Kaprizov scored his 37th point, breaking the Wild's franchise record for points by a rookie, which was previously held by Marián Gáborík (in 2000–01). Despite the shortened 2020–21 NHL season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaprizov set Wild franchise records for goals and points by a rookie, with 27 goals and 51 points. He would eventually be awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, becoming the first player in Wild franchise history to receive the honor. He received 99 out of 100 first place votes, the highest percentage since Teemu Selänne in 1993.[16]

On 21 September 2021, Kaprizov signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Wild.[17] The contract came after months of negotiations in which Kaprizov was reported to be willing to return to CSKA Moscow if did not come to terms with the Wild.[18] Regarding these reports, Kaprizov said there was "no chance" he would have returned to the KHL.[19] Upon signing the contract, Kaprizov became the highest-paid sophomore player in NHL history.[20] After starting the season with 40 points in 32 games, Kaprizov was selected for his first NHL All-Star Game.[21] At All-Star weekend, he participated in the Breakaway Challenge in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition with a tribute to Alexander Ovechkin, wearing Ovechkin's jersey and performing his famed "hot stick" celebration.[22] On 2 April 2022, Kaprizov broke Marián Gáborík's franchise record for points in a season, with 84. Later that month, he would go on to break Gáborík's franchise record for goals in a season, with 43.[23] By the season's end, Kaprizov had set Wild franchise records in each of the major scoring categories with 47 goals, 61 assists, and 108 points.[24]

Kaprizov and Vince Dunn during a game in 2023.

During the 2022 off-season, Kaprizov returned to Russia to visit family, despite Wild general manager Bill Guerin encouraging him to stay in Minnesota due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.[25] In July 2022, multiple Russian media outlets reported that Kaprizov was wanted in Russia for allegedly purchasing a fraudulent military identity card in 2017 to evade the mandatory military service required of Russian men aged 18 to 27.[26] The reports occurred days after Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov was arrested in Russia for purchasing a military ID in 2017.[27] Kaprizov and Fedotov were teammates on Salavat Yulaev Ufa during this time. Responding to these reports, Kaprizov's father denied the allegations and stated that Kaprizov was a student at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, and thus his military obligations were delayed as a result of his studies. Despite the reports being largely refuted by Western media, Kaprizov unsuccessfully attempted to go to the United States twice in the days following, first via Dubai and then via the Caribbean. He returned to Russia after these attempts. On 1 August, Kaprizov successfully entered the United States via Turkey, arriving in New York City before returning to Minnesota the following day.[28][29]

Unlike the 2021-22 season in which he did not score until the 9th game of the season, Kaprizov began the 2022-23 season with 8 goals in the Wild’s first 10 games. While facing the Los Angeles Kings on November 9, Kaprizov received a match penalty for cross-checking Kings defenseman Drew Doughty in the face; Kaprizov was ejected as a result of the match penalty and fined $5,000 by the NHL.[30] After beginning the season with 22 goals and 47 points in 37 games, Kaprizov was named to his second consecutive All-Star Game.[31] Kaprizov suffered a lower-body injury after Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley fell on him during a game on March 8. The injury forced Kaprizov to miss 13 games in March and April.[32] Despite the injury limiting him to 67 games played, Kaprizov reached 40 goals for the second consecutive season, becoming the first player in Wild history with multiple 40 goal seasons.[33] In a first-round playoffs against with the Dallas Stars, Kaprizov was largely held in check by the Stars defense, scoring only 1 goal and recording 0 assists as Dallas won the series in six games.[34]

International play


Kaprizov with the Russian national team at the 2017 Channel One Cup
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing
 Olympic Athletes from Russia
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Pyeongchang
Representing  Russia
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2016 Helsinki
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Canada

Kaprizov has played for the Russian national team in the IIHF World U18 Championship, IIHF World Junior Championship, senior Ice Hockey World Championships, and the Winter Olympics.

At the 2017 World Junior Championship, Kaprizov tied for leading scorer with nine goals and three assists in 12 games. In this tournament, Russia won bronze, beating Finland in the third place game.

He was the youngest player on the gold medal-winning Olympic Athletes from Russia team at the 2018 Winter Olympics.[35] Kaprizov scored the golden goal in overtime of the final match against Germany, winning the first gold medal for the Russian ice hockey team since 1992.[36] His five goals throughout the Olympics finished tied for the tournament lead.

In 2019, he won bronze at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.

Personal life

Kaprizov is a Russian Orthodox Christian.[37] He is the godfather and namesake of his CSKA Moscow teammate Nikita Nesterov's son, Kirill Nesterov, who was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church in 2019.[38]

Kaprizov enjoys playing video games, including Counter-Strike and Dota.[3] When back home in Novokuznetsk, he enjoys fishing and playing football.[37]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2013–14 Kuznetskie Medvedi MHL 52 18 16 34 30 8 1 2 3 2
2014–15 Metallurg Novokuznetsk KHL 31 4 4 8 6 — — — — —
2014–15 Kuznetskie Medvedi MHL 3 0 2 2 2 3 0 0 0 2
2015–16 Metallurg Novokuznetsk KHL 53 11 16 27 10 — — — — —
2015–16 Kuznetski Medvedi MHL 4 7 3 10 0 — — — — —
2016–17 Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL 49 20 22 42 66 5 3 0 3 0
2017–18 CSKA Moscow KHL 46 15 25 40 14 19 2 8 10 4
2018–19 CSKA Moscow KHL 57 30 21 51 16 19 4 10 14 6
2019–20 CSKA Moscow KHL 57 33 29 62 10 4 2 2 4 2
2020–21 Minnesota Wild NHL 55 27 24 51 16 7 2 1 3 4
2021–22 Minnesota Wild NHL 81 47 61 108 34 6 7 1 8 2
2022–23 Minnesota Wild NHL 67 40 35 75 45 6 1 0 1 12
KHL totals 293 113 117 230 122 47 11 20 31 12
NHL totals 203 114 120 234 95 19 10 2 12 18

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Russia WJC18 5th 4 1 3 4 2
2015 Russia IH18 5th 4 5 2 7 0
2016 Russia WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 1 2 3 2
2017 Russia WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 7 9 3 12 2
2018 OAR OG 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 5 4 9 2
2018 Russia WC 6th 8 6 2 8 2
2019 Russia WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 9 2 0 2 2
Junior totals 22 16 10 26 6
Senior totals 23 13 6 19 6

Awards and honors

Award Year Ref
KHL
All-Star Game 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Gagarin Cup 2019 [39]
Golden Stick (MVP) 2019 [40]
Best Sniper 2019, 2020 [40]
NHL
Calder Memorial Trophy 2021
All-Rookie Team 2021
All-Star Game 2022, 2023, 2024

Minnesota Wild records

Record Total Date Ref
Most goals by a rookie 27 2020–21 [41]
Most points by a rookie 51 2020–21 [42]
Most points in a season 108 2021–22 [43]
Most goals in a season 47 2021–22 [44]
Most assists in a season 61 2021–22 [45]
Consecutive games with a point 14 November 9 – December 9, 2022 [46]
Consecutive games with a goal 7 November 23 – December 10, 2022 [47]
Consecutive games with an assist 9 November 11 – December 1, 2022 [48]
Most goals in a month 13 March 2022 [44]
Most goals in a single playoff series 7 2022 [49]

References

  1. ^ "Kirill Kaprizov Stats and News". NHL.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  2. ^ Campbell, Dave (14 May 2021). "Kirill the thrill: Russian rookie Kaprizov big boost to Wild". AP News. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Becoming Wild: Kirill Kaprizov. Minnesota Wild. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "Kirill Kaprizov player profiles". Kontinental Hockey League. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Kaprizov signs a three-year contract with Novokuznetsk". allhockey.ru (in Russian). 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  6. ^ Metallurg Novokuznetsk (2 May 2016). "Кирилл Капризов перешел в "Салават Юлаев"" (in Russian). Metallurg-nk.ru. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  7. ^ ХК ЦСКА Москва [@hccska] (1 May 2017). "ЦСКА пополнился Кириллом Капризовым и Вадимом Перескоковым https://t.co/UgZCKFMSUj https://t.co/39961k24ug" (Tweet) (in Russian). Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "ЦСКА - чемпион России 2019/2020". cska-hockey.ru (in Russian). 3 July 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  9. ^ "The Faceoff: Kirill Kaprizov".
  10. ^ McLellan, Sarah. "Kirill Kaprizov signs with Wild, but can't play this postseason". Star Tribune. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Wilds signs Kaprizov to two-year, entry-level contract". Minnesota Wild. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Kirill Kaprizov became the first player to accomplish this impressive feat in his first NHL game". BarDown. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  13. ^ McPherson, Jordan (30 January 2021). "Florida Panthers rookie caps NHL debut with game-winner in overtime against Detroit". Miami Herald. Retrieved 1 February 2021. Heponiemi is just the fourth player to score an overtime goal in his NHL debut. The others: Kirill Kaprizov for the Minnesota Wild (Jan. 14), Tim Sweeney for the Calgary Flames (Oct. 4, 1990), and Nick Knott for the Brooklyn Americans (Nov. 2, 1941).
  14. ^ "Kaprizov of Wild, Minneapolis health care worker NHL First Stars of Week". National Hockey League. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  15. ^ Pierce, Jessi (13 March 2021). "Kaprizov Scores First NHL Hat Trick in Wild Shutout of Coyotes". National Hockey League. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Kaprizov wins NHL's top rookie award after rewriting Wild record book". Star Tribune.
  17. ^ "Kaprizov signs five-year, $45 million contract with Wild". National Hockey League. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  18. ^ Weekes, Kevin [@KevinWeekes] (18 June 2021). "As of now talks with likely Rookie of the yr Kaprizov & @mnwild have gone cold. My understanding is he's in Moscow and it's believed CSKA is interested in signing him for KHL & Olympics. @NHL @NHLNetwork #HockeyTwitter" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Russo, Michael [@RussoHockey] (22 September 2021). "Kaprizov on whether he ever planned to play in the KHL: "no chance." Guerin joked, "you shouldn't answer that. You're going to blow it for the next contract negotiation."" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "Wild, Kaprizov finally agree to contract: Five years, $45M". Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  21. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (13 January 2022). "NHL All-Star Game rosters revealed, with some big names omitted amid 3-on-3 format". ESPN.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Kaprizov does his best Ovechkin impression in Breakaway Challenge".
  23. ^ "Kirill Kaprizov breaks franchise record as Wild beat Hurricanes". 3 April 2022.
  24. ^ @RussoHockey (30 April 2022). "#mnwild's franchise-record 53-win, 113-point season ends w a 3-1 win over #avs. Game 1 vs. #stlblues expected to be…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "Wild GM Bill Guerin says Kirill Kaprizov is fine, still in Russia". CBS News. 6 July 2022.
  26. ^ "Wild's Kirill Kaprizov remains in Russia amid reports of fake military ID, flight to U.S."
  27. ^ "Russian hockey player detained in Russia for allegedly evading military service, per reports". CNN. 4 July 2022.
  28. ^ Russo, Michael (1 August 2022). "Wild's Kirill Kaprizov leaves Russia, will return to Minnesota Tuesday: Sources". The Athletic. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  29. ^ Russo, Michael (9 July 2022). "Wild offseason off to an ominous start: The latest on the Kaprizov situation, Talbot drama and more". The Athletic.
  30. ^ McLellan, Sarah (9 November 2022). "Kaprizov fined $5,000, but won't be suspended, after match penalty". Yahoo. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  31. ^ Wald, Jeff (5 January 2023). "Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov named to 2nd straight NHL All-Star Game". Fox 9. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  32. ^ Mizutani, Dane (7 April 2023). "Kirill Kaprizov will return to Wild lineup Saturday against Blues". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  33. ^ Minnesota Wild PR [@mnwildPR] (12 April 2023). "Per #NHLStats, Kirill Kaprizov (40-35=75 in 67 GP) reached the 40-goal mark for a second straight season (also 47 in 2021-22). He became the first player in franchise history with multiple 40-goal seasons (consecutive or otherwise). #mnwild" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via Twitter. ((cite web)): Check |archive-url= value (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ^ Myers, Tracey (29 April 2023). "Wild eliminated due to struggles from Kaprizov, penalty kill". NHL. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  35. ^ "Ice Hockey Men – Team Roster – OAR" (PDF). Pyeongchang 2018. International Olympic Committee. 13 February 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  36. ^ "Kaprizov's heroics give Russians Olympic gold". 25 February 2018.
  37. ^ a b КАПРИЗОВ: НОВЫЙ КОНТРАКТ / О ЖИЗНИ В США / ЕСТЬ ли ДЕВУШКА?/ ПОЧЕМУ НЕ ВЗЯЛИ В ЛОКО? СПОЛТ-ЭТО ЗЫЗНЬ. ЧЕРКАС АТЛАНТ. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via YouTube.
  38. ^ ХК ЦСКА Москва [@hccska] (26 June 2019). "В семье Никиты Нестерова радостное событие – вчера в храме Богоявления в Миассе крестили его второго сына – Кирилла. Крестным отцом Кирилла стал его тезка – Кирилл Капризов.🙏👼 https://t.co/bNYYZlZtHN" (Tweet) (in Russian). Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ "CSKA lifts the Gagarin Cup". Kontinental Hockey League. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  40. ^ a b "KHL hands out 2018–19 awards in Moscow". theihlc.com. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  41. ^ "Kaprizov breaks Wild rookie record with 19th goal of year - Sportsnet.ca".
  42. ^ "Kirill Kaprizov sets Wild rookie points record in win at Arizona". 20 April 2021.
  43. ^ "Kirill Kaprizov breaks franchise record as Wild beat Hurricanes". 3 April 2022.
  44. ^ a b Russo, Michael [@RussoHockey] (10 April 2022). "14 seconds in, Kirill Kaprizov scores his 42nd goal to tie the #mnwild franchise record held by Eric Staal and Marian Gaborik. Centered for Eriksson Ek and ricocheted in off Olli Maatta's blade 3-1" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ Russo, Michael [@RussoHockey] (30 April 2022). "1Kaprizov (2 pts) finishes with record 47 goals, 61 assists, 108 points; Greenway 2 goals; Jost goal; Fleury 27 stops, 9-2 w/Wild; Foligno hurt" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ Minnesota Wild PR [@mnwildPR] (4 December 2022). "Kaprizov has now recorded a point in 12 consecutive games, tying a franchise record set by Mikael Granlund (16-17) and Kevin Fiala (21-22). Kaprizov's six-game goal streak also ties a franchise record set by Brian Rolston (07-08), Nino Niederreiter (17-18) and Kaprizov (21-22)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ Minnesota Wild PR [@mnwildPR] (3 April 2022). "Kaprizov makes its 3-0 #mnwild with his second point of the game (1-1=2). He extends his goal streak to six games (7-2=9) to tie the franchise record for longest goal streak set by Nino Niederreiter, 11/14-11/24/17 & Brian Rolston, 1/21-2/5/08" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ Minnesota Wild PR [@mnwildPR] (2 December 2022). "With his assist on the Eriksson Ek goal, Kaprizov has now recorded a point in 10 straight games (5-10=15), extending his career-long streak. He has also recorded an assist in nine consecutive games, extending his career-long streak and sets a new franchise record" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ Minnesota Wild PR [@mnwildPR] (11 May 2022). "Kaprizov sets a new #mnwild playoff record for most goals in a single playoff series with seven, surpassing Gaborik's and Walz's five in the 2003 CSF vs. VAN. He also ties Gaborik (2003 First Round vs. COL) for most PPG in a single playoff series with three" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.

External links

Awards and achievements Preceded byCale Makar Winner of the Calder Trophy 2021 Succeeded byMoritz Seider
Categories