Nikita Alexeev

Nikita Alexeev (born Nikita Sergeyevich Alexeev on December 27, 1981) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

While playing in the NHL, Nikita played for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks. He claims to have learnt the North American version of the game by watching Jaromir Jagr and Steve Yzerman.

Playing Career
Nikita came to North America in 1998 to play for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning 8th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Nikita has played only two seasons in the NHL thus far, playing in 81 games, scoring 8 goals and adding 6 assists for 14 points.

Early in the 2003–04 season, he suffered a major shoulder injury which caused him to miss the rest of the season.

Nikita has played his last two seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL). At the start of the 2006–07 season, he returned to the main roster and was a regular in the Lightning lineup, however, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline.

In 2007, the Blackhawks chose not to offer Nikita a contract which made him a free agent. He has since signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Nikita has won the Gagarin Cup as champion of the KHL twice with Ak Bars and scored the cup winning goal in 2010.

International Play
Nikita has played for Russia in the:
 * 1997 World Junior Championships