Nikolai Knyzhov
Born (1998-03-20) 20 March 1998
Kemerovo, Russia
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams		 San Jose Sharks
San Jose Barracuda (AHL)
SKA Saint Petersburg
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2017–present

Nikolai Alexandrovich Knyzhov (Russian: Николай Александрович Кныжов; born 20 March 1998) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman for the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Knyzhov first played as a youth in his native Russia with hometown club, Energia Kemerovo, before moving to North America to play amateur junior hockey in Phoenix, Arizona with the Phoenix Firebirds and Jr. Coyotes. He was selected 41st overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft by the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL).[1]

He joined the Pats in the 2015–16 season, registering just 1 assist in 19 games, before leaving the team and opting to return the United States, playing with the Springfield Jr. Blues and Austin Bruins in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

During the 2016–17 season, Knyzhov left the Bruins to return to his native Russia, agreeing to play within the SKA Saint Petersburg junior program. In the 2017–18 season, Knyzhov made his professional debut with SKA-Neva in the Supreme Hockey League. He appeared in 33 games from the blueline, adding 2 goals and 6 points in the second tiered VHL.

Continuing with SKA-Neva in the 2018–19 season, Knyzhov as a defensive defenseman appeared in 46 games with 5 points. He was recalled by SKA Saint Petersburg and made his Kontinental Hockey League debut, in a 7–1 victory over Dinamo Riga on 26 January 2019.[2] He was returned to SKA-Neva after three scoreless games, and made 11 playoff appearances.

On 2 July 2019, Knyzhov returned to North America after he was signed by the San Jose Sharks to a three-year, entry-level contract.[3] After attending his first training camp with the Sharks, Knyzhov was assigned to begin the 2019–20 season with AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.[4] After 33 games with the Barracuda, showing a sound defensive game, Knyzhov was recalled by the injury-hit Sharks on 7 March 2020. He made his NHL debut that night in a 2–1 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators.[5] He recorded his first NHL point, in a 4–3 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings, assisting the second goal.[6] Knyzhov scored his first NHL goal on 31 March 2021 against the Minnesota Wild.[7] Despite not playing in 2021–22 due to an injury, he signed a one-year contract extension on 1 April 2022.[8] He tore his achilles in the 2022 off-season.[9] In March 2023, he signed a two-year extension with the Sharks.[10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2014–15 Phoenix Jr. Coyotes U16 T1EHL 24 1 3 4 16 4 1 1 2 0
2015–16 Regina Pats WHL 19 0 1 1 8 — — — — —
2015–16 Springfield Jr. Blues NAHL 17 0 3 3 8 — — — — —
2016–17 Austin Bruins NAHL 4 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2016–17 SKA-Serebryanye Lvy MHL 41 1 7 8 24 — — — — —
2017–18 SKA-Serebryanye Lvy MHL 9 1 5 6 10 — — — — —
2017–18 SKA-Neva VHL 33 2 4 6 16 12 0 1 1 2
2018–19 SKA-Varyagi MHL 4 0 4 4 4 — — — — —
2018–19 SKA-Neva VHL 46 1 4 5 22 11 0 1 1 4
2018–19 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2019–20 San Jose Barracuda AHL 33 1 4 5 22 — — — — —
2019–20 San Jose Sharks NHL 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2020–21 San Jose Sharks NHL 56 2 8 10 39 — — — — —
2022–23 San Jose Barracuda AHL 19 0 2 2 7 — — — — —
2022–23 San Jose Sharks NHL 12 1 0 1 8 — — — — —
KHL totals 30000 —————
NHL totals 71381149 —————

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2018 Russia WJC 5th 5 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 5 0 0 0 0

References

  1. ↑ "Knyzhov and Zabolcki sign player agreements". Regina Pats. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "SKA 7, Dinamo Riga 1". Kontinental Hockey League. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "Sharks Sign Defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  4. ↑ "Sharks reduce training camp by 23". San Jose Sharks. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  5. ↑ "Tierney's OT goal lifts Senators over Sharks 2–1". USA Today. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Kane ties it late, Sharks defeat Kings in shootout". National Hockey League. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "Nikolai Knyzhov Scores First NHL Goal". National Hockey League. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Sharks Re-Sign Defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov". National Hockey League. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  9. ↑ "Update on Sharks Defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov". National Hockey League. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Sharks Re-Sign Defenseman Knyzhov To Two-Year Contract". National Hockey League. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
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