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 (age 43) 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			6	1	1	2	10
2006	Russia	WC	5th		7	1	5	6	8
2007	Russia	WC			9	2	0	2	4
2008	Russia	WC			9	0	1	1	0
2009	Russia	WC			9	1	3	4	4
2010	Russia	OG	6th		4	0	1	1	2
2010	Russia	WC			9	0	2	2	2
2011	Russia	WC	4th		9	3	1	4	2
2012	Russia	WC			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