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).
Playing career
As a youth, Kuznetsov 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
The 2020 NHL Entry Draft was the 58th NHL Entry Draft, held from October 6–7, 2020. The draft was originally scheduled for June 26–27, 2020, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, but was postponed on March 25, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pan ...
.
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. He joined the Flames'
American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the
Stockton Heat
The Stockton Heat were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) that played from 2015 to 2022. The team was based in Stockton, California, and was affiliated with the National Hockey League (NHL) Calgary Flames. The Hea ...
to conclude the season.
Kuznetsov split the
2021-22 season between the Heat and the
Saint John Sea Dogs of the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The Sea Dogs had previously selected Kuznetsov during the 2021
CHL Import Draft
The CHL Import Draft is an annual event in which every team in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) may select the rights to eligible import players. An import is classified as a player who does not have residency status in either Canada or the U ...
.
He returned to the AHL for the
2022-23 season, skating in 63 games for the Flames' new affiliate, the
Calgary Wranglers.
On 5 January 2024, the Flames recalled Kuznetsov. He made his NHL debut on 9 January in a 6-3 win against the
Ottawa Senators. Kuznetsov was returned to the Wranglers on 14 January following his lone appearance.
On 12 August 2024, the Flames re-signed Kuznetsov to a one-year, $775,000 contract extension.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
International
References
External links
*
2002 births
Living people
Calgary Flames draft picks
Calgary Flames players
Calgary Wranglers players
Russian expatriate ice hockey people
Russian expatriate sportspeople in Canada
Russian ice hockey defencemen
Saint John Sea Dogs players
Sioux Falls Stampede players
Sportspeople from Murmansk
Stockton Heat players
UConn Huskies men's ice hockey players
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