Andrei Svechnikov


Andrei Igorevich Svechnikov is a Russian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. He was projected as a top pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, where he was drafted second overall by the Hurricanes.

Playing career

Svechnikov began his junior career in North America with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League. He signed a tender with the Lumberjacks in May 2016, due in part to proximity to his brother's American Hockey League team in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Svechnikov had immediate success with the Lumberjacks, emerging as the team's leading scorer and finishing sixth in league scoring. He was named to the All-USHL Team and was declared USHL Rookie of the Year.
Svechnikov was selected first overall in the 2017 CHL Import Draft by the Ontario Hockey League 's Barrie Colts. Prior to the start of the season, he was highly regarded as a top prospect and was seen as a candidate for first overall. Svechnikov won the Emms Family Award as OHL Rookie of the Year. At the end of the season, he was ranked the top-ranked North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, described as an elite skater and finisher.
At the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes selected Svechnikov second overall. On 1 July 2018, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Carolina. He made his NHL debut on 4 October against the New York Islanders, and recorded his first NHL goal on 7 October in an 8–5 win over the New York Rangers, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to score an NHL goal. On 29 October 2019, Svechnikov become the first NHL player to score a “Michigan” goal, where one lifts the puck on their stick to score a lacrosse-style goal. He scored a similar style goal later that year in a game against the Winnipeg Jets on December 17.

Personal life

Svechnikov is the younger brother of Evgeny Svechnikov, who was drafted in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings.
Svechnikov originally comes from Barnaul in Siberia, but his family has relocated twice to access better teams and coaching for their sons. They first moved to the Moscow area, then Kazan.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours