Canucks sign Kudryavtsev
The NHL’s Vancouver Canucks announced this afternoon that they have signed Greyhounds’ defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev to a three-year, entry level contract.
Kudryavtsev, a native of Yaroslavl, RUS is in his second season with the Greyhounds.
Originally selected in the 1st Round of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, Kudryavtsev leads all Greyhounds defencemen in scoring this season, and sits tied for 4th overall on the club. In 60 games played he has 6 goals and 39 assists, good for 45 points.
He was selected in the 7th Round of the 2022 NHL Draft by Vancouver.
The full release courtesy of the Vancouver Canucks is below:
“Kirill has had a good season so far and our development team has been happy with his progress in the OHL,” said Allvin. “Our group looks forward to the opportunity to continue to work with him and get him ready for a pro career.”
Kudryavtsev, 19, has appeared in 60 games with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) so far this season, ranking tied for third in overall team scoring and first among defencemen with 45 points (6-39-45). He made his OHL debut last season (2021.22) with the Greyhounds, posting 39 points (5-34-39) and a +13 plus-minus rating while playing in all 68 regular season games, before also skating in 10 playoff games (0-4-4).
A native of Yaroslavl, Russia, Kudryavtsev previously spent one season of junior in Russia, registering seven points (2-5-7), eight penalty minutes, and a +18 rating in 20 games in the Junior Hockey League. Additionally, he has represented his country on multiple occasions, including the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (1-1-2 in 5 GP) and the 2020 Youth Olympic Games (4-0-4) where Russia took home the Gold medal.
The 5’11”, 200-pound defenceman was originally selected by Vancouver in the seventh round, 208th overall at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
KUDRYAVTSEV CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
2022-23; Signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks on March 10/23 … Named Assistant Captain on Jan. 25 … Registered a career-high 3 point night (2G, 1A) along with a +1 rating and 3rd star honours Dec. 28 @ FLNT … 2021-22 (8G, 34A, 39PTS IN 68GP); Attended Canucks Rookie Camp/Prospect Tournament … Selected in the 7th Round (208th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks … Ranked 108th for North American Skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings … Recipient of the Hounds ‘Unsung Hero’ award at team’s annual banquet … Scored his 1st-career goal on Nov. 12 @LDN … Recorded his 1st-career point (assist) on Oct. 15/21 @GUE … Arrived in Sault Ste. Marie on September 25, 2021 … 2020/21; Selected in the 1st Round (6th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft … Appeared in 20 games for Yaroslavl Loko while tallying 2 goals and 5 assists (7 points) …. Also appeared in 10 games for Loko-Junior where he had 1 goal and 3 assists … 2019-20; Competed for Russia in the Youth Olympic Games where he captured a gold medal and had 4 assists in 4 games played
