Nikita Novikov (ice hockey)

Nikita Vadimovich Novikov (Russian: Никита Вадимович Новиков; born 25 July 2003) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Nikita Novikov
Born	(2003-07-25) 25 July 2003 (age 22) Moscow, Russia
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team (P) Cur. team Former teams	Buffalo Sabres Rochester Americans (AHL) Dynamo Moscow
NHL draft	188th overall, 2021 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2021–present

Playing career

Novikov was drafted in the sixth round, 188th overall, by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.^[1] He made his professional debut for HC Dynamo Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) during the 2021–22 season.^[2]

Following his second season in the KHL in 2022–23, having appeared in a career high 62 regular season games and recording 5 points from the blueline, Novikov was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres on 19 May 2023.^[3]

International play

Novikov represented Russia at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he recorded five assists in seven games and won a silver medal.^[4] He played for Russia at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.^[5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2019–20	MHC Dynamo Moscow	MHL		35	4	7	11	24		4	0	0	0	4
2020–21	MHC Dynamo Moscow	MHL		52	4	10	14	61		4	0	0	0	2
2021–22	MHC Dynamo Moscow	MHL		6	1	3	4	0		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Dynamo Moscow	KHL		32	1	3	4	6		9	0	1	1	0
2022–23	Dynamo Moscow	KHL		62	2	3	5	14		6	0	0	0	0
2023–24	Rochester Americans	AHL		65	3	20	23	42		5	0	2	2	0
2024–25	Rochester Americans	AHL		68	6	14	20	52		8	0	2	2	4
KHL totals				94	3	6	9	20		15	0	1	1	0

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2021	Russia	U18			7	0	5	5	4
Junior totals					7	0	5	5	4