Calgary’s Russian wave continues with Ilya Nikolayev

Once upon a time, the Calgary Flames seemed to shy away from players from the Russian Federation. Any hesitancy appears to be gone, though, as the Flames added the fifth Russian to their reserve list in the past 13 months when they selected Ilya Nikolayev at the 2019 NHL Draft.

Through a translator, Nikolayev shared is excitement about joining the Flames with the assembled media at Rogers Arena.

“I’ve looked into the city before and the team, and this is a great team and great organization. I’m very happy to be with that team,” said Nikolayev. “The NHL agent Dan Milstein has shown a lot of interesting places about, and he’s told him interesting tings about Calgary, about the city. As far as the team itself, he thinks this team has shown good hockey and the style that he likes.”

Nikolayev described himself as a defensive-minded player. He had 10 goals and 25 points with Loko Laroslavl of the Russian junior Major Hockey League in 2018-19. He shared that he models his game after Patrice Bergeron.

The 17-year-old – he turns 18 the Wednesday after the draft – joins other Russian acquisitions Dmitry Zavgorodniy (2018 Draft), Rinat Valiev (trade), Artyom Zagidulin (free agent signing) and Alexander Yelesin (free agent signing) in the organization. There’s a distinct possibility that July’s development camp could feel like it’s being held in Moscow with all the Russians involved.

“It could add some comfort, to be able to communicate the same language with other players,” said Nikolayev of having other Russians in the organization. “But no matter who is around you, you shouldn’t forget that you have to play for yourself, for your team, and to do your best.”

Nikolayev remains under signed to the Yaroslavl organization for two more seasons, but could come to North America at that point. If he did so, he’d make the transition at just 20 years of age.