Kirill Kaprizov

Kirill Olegovich Kaprizov (Russian: Кирилл Олегович Капризов; born 26 April 1997) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward 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. He is also known to fans by the nickname "Kirill the Thrill".

Playing career

Early career

Kaprizov made his Kontinental Hockey League debut playing with Metallurg Novokuznetsk during the 2014–15 KHL season, after being drafted first overall in the 2014 KHL Junior Draft. Kaprizov was drafted by the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, 135th overall. On 21 August 2015, Kaprizov was signed to a three-year contract extension to remain with Metallurg Novokuznetsk. On 2 May 2016, he was traded to Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

In 2017, he moved to CSKA Moscow and 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 highs marks with 33 goals, 29 assists, and 62 points and tied his career best in games played with 57. His 33 goals led the KHL for the second straight season and his 62 points ranked third in scoring. 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. 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 Russian champions based on regular standings.

Minnesota Wild

On 13 July 2020, Kaprizov signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Minnesota Wild. The contract would include the 2019–20 season, effectively burning the first-year of his deal.

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, becoming the first player in NHL history to score three points and an overtime goal in his debut, and also becoming the third player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in his debut. He was subsequently named NHL First Star of the Week for the week ending 17 January 2021. Kaprizov scored his first NHL hat trick on 12 March 2021 in a 4–0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. 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). On 21 April, Kaprizov broke the Minnesota Wild franchise record for goals in a rookie season with his 19th. 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 honour.

On 21 September 2021, Kaprisov signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Wild. As a result of the contract, Kaprizov became the highest-paid sophomore player in NHL history.

International play

Kaprizov has played for the Russian national team in the World Under-18 Championships, World Junior Championships, and IIHF World Championships. He was the youngest player in the Russian team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Personal life

Kaprizov 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.

Kaprizov enjoys playing video games, including games from the Counter Strike and Dota franchises.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honors

Minnesota Wild records

• Goals by a rookie, 27 (2020–21)
• Points by a rookie, 51 (2020–21)