2019 NHL Draft Profile – Arthur Kaliyev
Entering the 2018-19 campaign, only four players in OHL history – John Tavares, Steven Stamkos, Jeff Skinner, and Alex DeBrincat – had scored 50 or more goals in a single season prior to their 18th birthday. This year, Hamilton Bulldogs left-wing Arthur Kaliyev became the fifth as he netted 51 goals and 102 points in 67 games, earning a spot on the OHL Second All-Star Team. It was the latest accolade for Kaliyev, who a year ago was a part of the Bulldogs squad that captured the J. Ross Robertson Cup. A native of Staten Island, N.Y., Kaliyev was a part of Team USA at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he notched six points in five games. Kaliyev is the seventh-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings.
Kaliyev describes himself as an offensive player who likes to score goals and make plays. He likes to mimic the playing style of Winnipeg Jets superstar forward Patrik Laine. As he readies for the next level, Kaliyev’s goal is to continue improving his skating, physicality, and his ability to win puck battles.
“The goal scoring has always been there. He has shown other parts of his game that make you think the sky’s the limit,” writes Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino. “(Kaliyev) can score at will, but his playmaking is highly underrated.”