Nikita Novikov (ice hockey)

Nikita Novikov
Born (2003-07-25) 25 July 2003 (age 21)
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

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).

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
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 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 0 5 5 4
Junior totals 7 0 5 5 4

References

  1. ^ "At No. 188, Sabres take Russian defenseman Nikita Novikov". The Buffalo News. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  2. ^ LaBarber, Jourdon (23 December 2021). "Prospects Update: Mair discusses Sabres at World Juniors". NHL.com. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Sabres sign Novikov to entry-level contract". Buffalo Sabres. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Russia U18 roster for the 2021 World Championship". en.fhr.ru. 18 April 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  5. ^ Kim, Josh (15 December 2021). "2022 World Junior Championship Team Russia Final Roster". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved 24 December 2021.


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