Ilya Nikulin

Ilya Nikulin
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Born	(1982-03-12) 12 March 1982 Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	211 lb (96 kg; 15 st 1 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
KHL team Former teams	Ak Bars Kazan RSL Dynamo Moscow
National team	Russia
NHL Draft	31st overall, 2000 Atlanta Thrashers
Playing career	2000–present

Ilya Vladimirovich Nikulin (Russian: Илья Владимирович Никулин; born 12 March 1982 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Nikulin was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the second round, 31st overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Later that year, Nikulin began his professional career in the Russian Superleague (RSL) with Dynamo Moscow. He played with Dynamo for five seasons. In 2005, he joined Ak Bars Kazan. His five-year contract with Kazan included allowing him to leave for the NHL. However, after negotiations in 2008 and 2009, Nikulin did not sign a contract with the Thrashers.

Nikulin has played for Team Russia. He competed at the 1999 under-18 Championship, earned a silver medal at the 2000 World Junior Championship, a bronze at the 2007 World Championship, a silver at the 2010 World Championship and a gold at the 2008, 2009 and 2012 IIHF World Championships. He was selected to the 2010 Russian Olympic team.

Nikulin is good friends with Alexander Ovechkin, with whom he played four seasons with during his tenure with Dynamo Moscow. He is also the godfather of Nikulin's son.

International statistics

Year	Team	Event	Place		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1999	Russia	WJC18	6th		7	0	1	1	0
2000	Russia	WJC18			6	1	1	2	10
Junior int'l totals					13	1	2	3	10
2006	Russia	WC	5th		7	1	5	6	8
2007	Russia	WC			9	2	0	2	4
2008	Russia	WC			9	0	1	1	0
2009	Russia	WC			9	1	3	4	4
2010	Russia	Oly	6th		4	0	1	1	2
2010	Russia	WC			9	0	2	2	2
2011	Russia	WC	4th		9	3	1	4	2
2012	Russia	WC			10	2	4	6	8
Senior int'l totals					66	9	17	26	30

External links

• Ilja Nikulin's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Ilya Nikulin profile at Eurohockey.com
• Ilya Nikulin's player profile at NHL.com