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Kirill Kaprizov
Kaprizov with the Minnesota Wild in 2023
Born	(1997-04-27) 27 April 1997 (age 27) Novokuznetsk, Russia
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shot	Left
NHL team Former teams	Minnesota Wild Metallurg Novokuznetsk Salavat Yulaev Ufa CSKA Moscow
National team	Russia
NHL draft	135th overall, 2015 Minnesota Wild
Playing career	2014–present

Kirill Olegovich Kaprizov (Russian: Кирилл Олегович Капризов; born 26 April 1997) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Before joining the Wild, Kaprizov played for Metallurg Novokuznetsk, Salavat Yulaev Ufa and CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Kaprizov won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2021, becoming the first Wild player to win the award. Fans have nicknamed him "Dollar Bill Kirill" and "Kirill the Thrill".

Early life

Kaprizov grew up in a small village about 60 miles (97 km) outside Novokuznetsk. He began playing hockey at age four, traveling daily between his village and downtown Novokuzentsk for practice, before moving to the city to further his hockey career. Kaprizov played in the Metallurg Novokuznetsk hockey school as a child, progressing to the Kuznetskie Medvedi junior team before beginning his professional career with the senior team in 2014.

Playing career

KHL career (2014–2020)

Kaprizov made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut playing with his hometown club, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, during the 2014–15 KHL season, after being drafted first overall in the 2014 KHL Junior Draft. On 21 August 2015, Kaprizov was signed to a three-year contract extension to remain with Metallurg Novokuznetsk.

On 2 May 2016, he was traded to Salavat Yulaev Ufa. He played one season for Ufa, totaling 42 points in 49 games before being traded to CSKA Moscow in 2017 in exchange for monetary compensation. He played in the 2018 and 2019 Gagarin Cup finals, winning the latter.

During his final season under contract with CSKA in 2019–20, Kaprizov set career-high marks with 33 goals (ranked 1 in the KHL), 29 assists, and 62 points (ranked 3 in the KHL) and tied his career best in games-played with 57. He registered his 100th career goal on 15 October 2019, becoming the youngest player in KHL history to do so, at 22 years, 172 days old. In the postseason, Kaprizov posted four points in CSKA's first-round series sweep against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod before the KHL cancelled its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he and the rest of CSKA team were awarded the title of KHL champions based on regular standings. During his KHL career, Kaprizov was selected to five KHL All-Star Games in each year from 2016 to 2020.

Minnesota Wild (2021–present)

Kaprizov was drafted by the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, 135th overall. According to Wild owner Craig Leipold, the Wild's scouting department only became aware of Kaprizov when smog from the 2014 California wildfires delayed their flight home from a scouting trip in Russia. This allowed them to attend one of Kaprizov's games for Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Upon being drafted by the Wild, Kaprizov learned about Minnesota from his Novokuznetsk teammate and Minnesota native Ryan Stoa. He has credited Stoa with helping him learn English to prepare for his NHL career.

Early NHL career: Calder Trophy, contract extension, and franchise records

On 13 July 2020, Kaprizov signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Minnesota Wild. The contract included the 2019–20 season, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he did not play his first game until the 2020–21 season. Kaprizov made his NHL debut on 14 January 2021 against the Los Angeles Kings. He tallied three points, including the game-winning goal in overtime, in a 4–3 victory for the Wild. In this game, he became the first player in NHL history to score three points and an overtime goal in his debut, and became the third player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in his debut. He was subsequently named NHL First Star of the Week for the week ending 17 January. Kaprizov scored his first NHL hat trick on 12 March, in a 4–0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. On 19 April, Kaprizov scored his 37th point, breaking the Wild's franchise record for points by a rookie, which was previously held by Marián Gáborík (in 2000–01). Despite the shortened 2020–21 NHL season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaprizov set Wild franchise records for goals and points by a rookie, with 27 goals and 51 points. He was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, becoming the first player in Wild franchise history to receive the honor. He received 99 out of 100 first place votes, the highest percentage since Teemu Selänne in 1993.

On 21 September 2021, Kaprizov signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Wild. The contract came after months of negotiations in which Kaprizov was reported to be willing to return to CSKA Moscow if did not come to terms with the Wild. Regarding these reports, Kaprizov said there was "no chance" he would have returned to the KHL. Upon signing the contract, Kaprizov became the highest-paid sophomore player in NHL history. After starting the season with 40 points in 32 games, Kaprizov was selected for his first NHL All-Star Game. At All-Star weekend, he participated in the Breakaway Challenge in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition with a tribute to Alexander Ovechkin, wearing Ovechkin's jersey and performing his famed "hot stick" celebration. On 2 April 2022, Kaprizov broke Marián Gáborík's franchise record for points in a season, with 84. Later that month, he went on to break Gáborík's franchise record for goals in a season, with 43. By the season's end, Kaprizov had set Wild franchise records in each of the major scoring categories with 47 goals, 61 assists, and 108 points.

During the 2022 off-season, Kaprizov returned to Russia to visit family, despite Wild general manager Bill Guerin encouraging him to stay in Minnesota due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. In July 2022, multiple Russian media outlets reported that Kaprizov was wanted in Russia for allegedly purchasing a fraudulent military identity card in 2017 to evade the mandatory military service required of Russian men aged 18 to 27. The reports occurred days after Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov was arrested in Russia for purchasing a military ID in 2017. Kaprizov and Fedotov were teammates on Salavat Yulaev Ufa during this time. Responding to these reports, Kaprizov's father denied the allegations and stated that Kaprizov was a student at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, and thus his military obligations were delayed as a result of his studies. Despite the reports being largely refuted by Western media, Kaprizov unsuccessfully attempted to go to the United States twice in the days following, first via Dubai and then via the Caribbean. He returned to Russia after these attempts. On 1 August, Kaprizov successfully entered the United States via Turkey, arriving in New York City before returning to Minnesota the following day.

Unlike the 2021-22 season in which he did not score until the 9th game of the season, Kaprizov began the 2022-23 season with 8 goals in the Wild’s first 10 games. While facing the Los Angeles Kings on November 9, Kaprizov received a match penalty for cross-checking Kings defenseman Drew Doughty in the face; Kaprizov was ejected as a result of the match penalty and fined $5,000 by the NHL. After beginning the season with 22 goals and 47 points in 37 games, Kaprizov was named to his second consecutive All-Star Game. Kaprizov suffered a lower-body injury after Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley fell on him during a game on March 8. The injury forced Kaprizov to miss 13 games in March and April. Despite the injury limiting him to 67 games played, Kaprizov reached 40 goals for the second consecutive season, becoming the first player in Wild history with multiple 40 goal seasons. In a first-round playoffs against with the Dallas Stars, Kaprizov was largely held in check by the Stars defense, scoring only 1 goal and recording 0 assists as Dallas won the series in six games.

Following the 2024 NHL All-Star Game break, Kaprizov was joined on the Wild's top line by Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy. By 15 February, Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek had added five points over three games and the trio had combined for 17 points. On 19 February 2024, Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek scored hat tricks in the third period to lift the Wild 10–7 over the Vancouver Canucks. As a result of their hat-tricks, they helped set a new team record for most goals in a game and matched the franchise record for points in a game.

International play

Kaprizov with the Russian national team at the 2017 Channel One Cup
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Olympic Athletes from Russia
Olympic Games
	2018 Pyeongchang
Representing  Russia
World Championships
	2019 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
	2016 Helsinki
	2017 Canada

Kaprizov has played for the Russian national team in the IIHF World U18 Championship, IIHF World Junior Championship, senior Ice Hockey World Championships, and the Winter Olympics.

At the 2017 World Junior Championship, Kaprizov tied for leading scorer with nine goals and three assists in 12 games. In this tournament, Russia won bronze, beating Finland in the third place game.

He was the youngest player on the gold medal-winning Olympic Athletes from Russia team at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Kaprizov scored the golden goal in overtime of the final match against Germany, winning the first gold medal for the Russian ice hockey team since 1992. His five goals throughout the Olympics finished tied for the tournament lead.

In 2019, he won bronze at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.

Personal life

Kaprizov is a Russian Orthodox Christian. He is the godfather and namesake of his CSKA Moscow teammate Nikita Nesterov's son, Kirill Nesterov, who was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church in 2019.

Kaprizov enjoys playing video games, including Counter-Strike and Dota. When back home in Novokuznetsk, he enjoys fishing and playing football.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2015	Russia	WJC18	5th		4	1	3	4	2
2015	Russia	IH18	5th		4	5	2	7	0
2016	Russia	WJC			7	1	2	3	2
2017	Russia	WJC			7	9	3	12	2
2018	OAR	OG			6	5	4	9	2
2018	Russia	WC	6th		8	6	2	8	2
2019	Russia	WC			9	2	0	2	2
Junior totals					22	16	10	26	6
Senior totals					23	13	6	19	6

Awards and honors

Minnesota Wild records

References

1. "Kirill Kaprizov Stats and News". NHL.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
2. Campbell, Dave (14 May 2021). "Kirill the thrill: Russian rookie Kaprizov big boost to Wild". AP News. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
3. ^ Becoming Wild: Kirill Kaprizov. Minnesota Wild. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via YouTube.
4. "Kirill Kaprizov player profiles". Kontinental Hockey League. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
5. "Kaprizov signs a three-year contract with Novokuznetsk". allhockey.ru (in Russian). 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
6. Metallurg Novokuznetsk (2 May 2016). "Кирилл Капризов перешел в "Салават Юлаев"" (in Russian). Metallurg-nk.ru. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
7. ХК ЦСКА Москва (1 May 2017). "ЦСКА пополнился Кириллом Капризовым и Вадимом Перескоковым https://t.co/UgZCKFMSUj https://t.co/39961k24ug" (Tweet) (in Russian). Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
8. "ЦСКА - чемпион России 2019/2020". cska-hockey.ru (in Russian). 3 July 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
9. "The Faceoff: Kirill Kaprizov".
10. McLellan, Sarah. "Kirill Kaprizov signs with Wild, but can't play this postseason". Star Tribune. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
11. "Wilds signs Kaprizov to two-year, entry-level contract". Minnesota Wild. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
12. "Kirill Kaprizov became the first player to accomplish this impressive feat in his first NHL game". BarDown. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
13. McPherson, Jordan (30 January 2021). "Florida Panthers rookie caps NHL debut with game-winner in overtime against Detroit". Miami Herald. Retrieved 1 February 2021. Heponiemi is just the fourth player to score an overtime goal in his NHL debut. The others: Kirill Kaprizov for the Minnesota Wild (Jan. 14), Tim Sweeney for the Calgary Flames (Oct. 4, 1990), and Nick Knott for the Brooklyn Americans (Nov. 2, 1941).
14. "Kaprizov of Wild, Minneapolis health care worker NHL First Stars of Week". National Hockey League. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
15. Pierce, Jessi (13 March 2021). "Kaprizov Scores First NHL Hat Trick in Wild Shutout of Coyotes". National Hockey League. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
16. "Kaprizov wins NHL's top rookie award after rewriting Wild record book". Star Tribune. 30 June 2021.
17. "Kaprizov signs five-year, $45 million contract with Wild". National Hockey League. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
18. Weekes, Kevin (18 June 2021). "As of now talks with likely Rookie of the yr Kaprizov & @mnwild have gone cold. My understanding is he's in Moscow and it's believed CSKA is interested in signing him for KHL & Olympics. @NHL @NHLNetwork #HockeyTwitter" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
19. Russo, Michael (22 September 2021). "Kaprizov on whether he ever planned to play in the KHL: "no chance." Guerin joked, "you shouldn't answer that. You're going to blow it for the next contract negotiation."" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
20. "Wild, Kaprizov finally agree to contract: Five years, $45M". Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
21. Wyshynski, Greg (13 January 2022). "NHL All-Star Game rosters revealed, with some big names omitted amid 3-on-3 format". ESPN.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
22. "Kaprizov does his best Ovechkin impression in Breakaway Challenge".
23. "Kirill Kaprizov breaks franchise record as Wild beat Hurricanes". 3 April 2022.
24. @RussoHockey (30 April 2022). "#mnwild's franchise-record 53-win, 113-point season ends w a 3-1 win over #avs. Game 1 vs. #stlblues expected to be…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
25. "Wild GM Bill Guerin says Kirill Kaprizov is fine, still in Russia". CBS News. 6 July 2022.
26. Russo, Michael. "Wild's Kirill Kaprizov remains in Russia amid reports of fake military ID, flight to U.S." The Athletic.
27. "Russian hockey player detained in Russia for allegedly evading military service, per reports". CNN. 4 July 2022.
28. Russo, Michael (1 August 2022). "Wild's Kirill Kaprizov leaves Russia, will return to Minnesota Tuesday: Sources". The Athletic. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
29. Russo, Michael (9 July 2022). "Wild offseason off to an ominous start: The latest on the Kaprizov situation, Talbot drama and more". The Athletic.
30. McLellan, Sarah (9 November 2022). "Kaprizov fined $5,000, but won't be suspended, after match penalty". Yahoo. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
31. Wald, Jeff (5 January 2023). "Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov named to 2nd straight NHL All-Star Game". Fox 9. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
32. Mizutani, Dane (7 April 2023). "Kirill Kaprizov will return to Wild lineup Saturday against Blues". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
33. Minnesota Wild PR (11 April 2023). "Per #NHLStats, Kirill Kaprizov (40-35=75 in 67 GP) reached the 40-goal mark for a second straight season (also 47 in 2021-22). He became the first player in franchise history with multiple 40-goal seasons (consecutive or otherwise). #mnwild" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via Twitter.
34. Myers, Tracey (29 April 2023). "Wild eliminated due to struggles from Kaprizov, penalty kill". NHL. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
35. McLellan, Sarah (15 February 2024). "Wild's top line with Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek has team on a roll". Star Tribune. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
36. Pierce, Jessi (19 February 2024). "Wild score 10 goals, including 7 in 3rd to rally past Canucks". National Hockey League. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
37. "Ice Hockey Men – Team Roster – OAR" (PDF). Pyeongchang 2018. International Olympic Committee. 13 February 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
38. "Kaprizov's heroics give Russians Olympic gold". 25 February 2018.
39. ^ КАПРИЗОВ: НОВЫЙ КОНТРАКТ / О ЖИЗНИ В США / ЕСТЬ ли ДЕВУШКА?/ ПОЧЕМУ НЕ ВЗЯЛИ В ЛОКО? СПОЛТ-ЭТО ЗЫЗНЬ. ЧЕРКАС АТЛАНТ. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via YouTube.
40. ХК ЦСКА Москва (26 June 2019). "В семье Никиты Нестерова радостное событие – вчера в храме Богоявления в Миассе крестили его второго сына – Кирилла. Крестным отцом Кирилла стал его тезка – Кирилл Капризов.🙏👼 https://t.co/bNYYZlZtHN" (Tweet) (in Russian). Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
41. "CSKA lifts the Gagarin Cup". Kontinental Hockey League. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
42. ^ "KHL hands out 2018–19 awards in Moscow". theihlc.com. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
43. "Kaprizov breaks Wild rookie record with 19th goal of year - Sportsnet.ca".
44. "Kirill Kaprizov sets Wild rookie points record in win at Arizona". 20 April 2021.
45. "Kirill Kaprizov breaks franchise record as Wild beat Hurricanes". 3 April 2022.
46. ^ Russo, Michael (10 April 2022). "14 seconds in, Kirill Kaprizov scores his 42nd goal to tie the #mnwild franchise record held by Eric Staal and Marian Gaborik. Centered for Eriksson Ek and ricocheted in off Olli Maatta's blade 3-1" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
47. "Kaprizov breaks Wild's power play goals record". 16 April 2024.
48. Russo, Michael (29 April 2022). "1Kaprizov (2 pts) finishes with record 47 goals, 61 assists, 108 points; Greenway 2 goals; Jost goal; Fleury 27 stops, 9-2 w/Wild; Foligno hurt" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022 – via Twitter.
49. Minnesota Wild PR (19 February 2024). "#mnwild C Joel Eriksson Ek (3-3=6) and LW Kirill Kaprizov (3-3=6) tied the franchise single-game record and set career highs with six points each in today's 10-7 win over Vancouver. They join Marian Gaborik (2x) as the only players to log six-point games in franchise history" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024 – via Twitter.
50. Minnesota Wild PR (2 April 2022). "Kaprizov makes its 3-0 #mnwild with his second point of the game (1-1=2). He extends his goal streak to six games (7-2=9) to tie the franchise record for longest goal streak set by Nino Niederreiter, 11/14-11/24/17 & Brian Rolston, 1/21-2/5/08" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.
51. Minnesota Wild PR (1 December 2022). "With his assist on the Eriksson Ek goal, Kaprizov has now recorded a point in 10 straight games (5-10=15), extending his career-long streak. He has also recorded an assist in nine consecutive games, extending his career-long streak and sets a new franchise record" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 December 2022 – via Twitter.
52. Minnesota Wild PR (10 May 2022). "Kaprizov sets a new #mnwild playoff record for most goals in a single playoff series with seven, surpassing Gaborik's and Walz's five in the 2003 CSF vs. VAN. He also ties Gaborik (2003 First Round vs. COL) for most PPG in a single playoff series with three" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 April 2022 – via Twitter.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

• 1997 births
• Calder Trophy winners
• HC CSKA Moscow players
• Ice hockey players at the 2018 Winter Olympics
• Kuznetskie Medvedi players
• Living people
• Medalists at the 2018 Winter Olympics
• Metallurg Novokuznetsk players
• Minnesota Wild draft picks
• Minnesota Wild players
• Olympic gold medalists for Olympic Athletes from Russia
• 21st-century Russian sportsmen
• Olympic ice hockey players for Russia
• Olympic medalists in ice hockey
• Sportspeople from Novokuznetsk
• Russian ice hockey left wingers
• Salavat Yulaev Ufa players