Nikita Kucherov

Nikita Kucherov (born Nikita Igorevich Kucherov on June 17, 1993) is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Junior Playing Career
Nikita originally played professionally in his native Russia for CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

In the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he was selected 58th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In an attempt to transition to the North American style, he played major junior hockey with Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Tampa Bay Lightning
During the 2013–14 season, on November 25, 2013 (with his first shot, on his first shift, against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers), Nikita became the seventh player in Lightning history to score a goal in his NHL debut.

On October 28, 2014, he recorded his first career hat trick against Mike Smith of the Arizona Coyotes.

During the 2014–15 NHL season, Nikita had a breakout season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kucherov posted 29 goals, 36 assists and 65 points.

He also tied for the NHL lead in plus-minus with Max Pacioretty at a +38 rating. The +38 rating also set the Lightning single season franchise record for +/- rating.

On May 20, 2015, Nikita joined Martin St. Louis as the only players in Lightning history to record two game winning goals in overtime in a single playoff year, having scored a winner that evening against the New York Rangers; he had scored one in Game 1 of the prior round against the Montreal Canadiens.

International Play
On March 2, 2016, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation named Nikita to its roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

He will joined by Lightning teammates Vladislav Namestnikov and Andrei Vasilevskiy. The tournament is set to take place from Sept. 17 to Oct. 1, 2016, in Toronto.

Accolades

 * 2011 IIHF World U18 Championships: First Team All-Star