Ilya Nikulin

Ilya Vladimirovich Nikulin (Russian: Илья Владимирович Никулин; born 12 March 1982) is a Russian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for HC Dynamo Moscow and Ak Bars Kazan in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Nikulin was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the second round, 31st overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Ilya Nikulin
Born (1982-03-12) 12 March 1982
Moscow, Russian SFSR,
Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 211 lb (96 kg; 15 st 1 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Dynamo Moscow
Ak Bars Kazan
National team  Russia
NHL Draft 31st overall, 2000
Atlanta Thrashers
Playing career 2000–2019

Playing career

Later that year, Nikulin began his professional career in the Russian Superleague (RSL) with Dynamo Moscow. He played with Dynamo for five seasons. In 2005, he joined Ak Bars Kazan. His five-year contract with Kazan included allowing him to leave for the NHL. However, after negotiations in 2008 and 2009, Nikulin did not sign a contract with the Thrashers.[1]

On 15 July 2020, Nikulin officially announced his retirement from professional hockey, ending a 19-year career.[2]

International play

Nikulin has played for Team Russia. He competed at the 1999 under-18 Championship, earned a silver medal at the 2000 World Junior Championship, a bronze at the 2007 World Championship, a silver at the 2010 World Championship and a gold at the 2008, 2009 and 2012 IIHF World Championships.[3] He was selected to the 2010 Russian Olympic team.[4]

Personal

Nikulin is good friends with Alexander Ovechkin, with whom he played four seasons with during his tenure with Dynamo Moscow. He is also the godfather of Nikulin's son.[5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1998–99 Dynamo–2 Moscow RUS.2 23 0 2 2 18 — — — — —
1999–2000 Dynamo–2 Moscow RUS.3 4 2 1 3 10 — — — — —
1999–2000 THK Tver RUS.2 39 3 6 9 82 — — — — —
2000–01 Dynamo Moscow RSL 44 0 4 4 61 — — — — —
2000–01 Dynamo–2 Moscow RUS.3 1 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2001–02 Dynamo Moscow RSL 48 2 1 3 44 2 0 0 0 0
2001–02 Dynamo–2 Moscow RUS.3 2 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2002–03 Dynamo Moscow RSL 40 1 4 5 46 5 0 1 1 4
2003–04 Dynamo Moscow RSL 54 1 5 6 56 3 0 0 0 2
2003–04 Dynamo–2 Moscow RUS.3 1 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2004–05 Dynamo Moscow RSL 50 1 9 10 65 10 0 3 3 8
2005–06 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 49 9 9 18 48 13 4 0 4 36
2006–07 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 51 11 14 25 99 16 4 4 8 18
2007–08 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 57 3 15 18 95 10 1 3 4 14
2008–09 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 53 7 26 33 72 17 2 8 10 22
2009–10 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 49 6 27 33 86 22 5 6 11 14
2010–11 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 49 6 35 41 56 9 1 3 4 10
2011–12 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 51 9 15 24 52 12 1 3 4 29
2012–13 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 51 12 22 34 46 18 4 6 10 28
2013–14 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 52 5 20 25 56 6 1 4 5 6
2014–15 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 58 13 15 28 44 20 1 6 7 6
2015–16 Dynamo Moscow KHL 35 6 11 17 18 6 0 0 0 6
2016–17 Dynamo Moscow KHL 47 7 16 23 36 10 1 4 5 4
2017–18 Dynamo Moscow KHL 56 12 15 27 28 — — — — —
2018–19 Dynamo Moscow KHL 61 9 15 24 55 11 0 2 2 4
RSL totals 393 28 61 89 514 59 9 11 20 82
KHL totals 562 92 217 309 549 131 16 42 58 129

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
1999 Russia WJC18 6th 7 0 1 1 4
2000 Russia WJC18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 1 1 2 10
2006 Russia WC 5th 7 1 5 6 8
2007 Russia WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 9 2 0 2 4
2008 Russia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 9 0 1 1 0
2009 Russia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 9 1 3 4 4
2010 Russia OG 6th 4 0 1 1 2
2010 Russia WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 9 0 2 2 2
2011 Russia WC 4th 9 3 1 4 2
2012 Russia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 4 6 8
2013 Russia WC 6th 8 1 3 4 2
2014 Russia OG 5th 3 0 0 0 2
Junior totals 13 1 2 3 14
Senior totals 77 10 21 31 34

References
  1. "Ilya Nikulin: NHL is my Childhood Dream". 7 November 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  2. "Three time World Champion Ilya Nikulin retires" (in Russian). tass.ru. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  3. "Ilya Nikulin". Atlanta Thrashers. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  4. "Russia passes on Kovalev, names team". Toronto Sun. 25 December 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  5. "Ilya Nikulin (Atlanta Thrashers): I really wanted to go to Atlanta". Soviet Sports Press. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
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