by Canucks Communications @Canucks / Vancouver Canucks

March 10, 2023

Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has signed defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev to a three-year entry level contract.

“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.

Source: nhl.com