Kirill Kaprizov Bio
Kirill Olegovich Kaprizov (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). He made a significant impact in his rookie season, earning the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2021, the first player from the Wild to win the award.
Early Life and Background
Kirill Kaprizov was born in Novokuznetsk, Russia. He grew up in a small village about 60 miles outside the city, where he began playing hockey at the age of four. Kaprizov traveled daily between his village and downtown Novokuznetsk for practice, showcasing his dedication to the sport from a young age. He played in the Metallurg Novokuznetsk hockey school as a child and progressed to the Kuznetskie Medvedi junior team before beginning his professional career with the senior team in 2014.
Path to Hockey
Kaprizov made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut playing with his hometown club, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, during the 2014–15 KHL season. He was drafted first overall in the 2014 KHL Junior Draft, which marked the beginning of his professional journey. On 21 August 2015, he signed a three-year contract extension with Metallurg Novokuznetsk. He later played for Salavat Yulaev Ufa and CSKA Moscow, where he achieved significant success, including participating in the Gagarin Cup finals and setting career-high marks in goals and points.
Kirill Kaprizov Career
Early Career (2014–2020)
Kaprizov’s early career in the KHL was marked by impressive performances. He was traded to Salavat Yulaev Ufa in May 2016, where he totaled 42 points in 49 games during his season there. In 2017, he was traded to CSKA Moscow, where he continued to excel, leading the league in goals during the 2019-20 season. His remarkable achievements included becoming the youngest player in KHL history to score 100 career goals.
Breakthrough (2021–Present)
Kirill Kaprizov was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, 135th overall. He signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Wild on 13 July 2020, which included the 2019–20 season. Kaprizov made his NHL debut on 14 January 2021, scoring three points, including the game-winning goal in overtime, making history as the first player to achieve such a feat in his debut. He went on to break multiple franchise records for the Wild during his rookie season, including goals and points, and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kaprizov’s signature work includes his outstanding rookie season with the Minnesota Wild, where he set franchise records and won the Calder Memorial Trophy. His performance has made him a standout player in the NHL, and he has continued to build on his success in subsequent seasons.
Kirill Kaprizov Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Kirill Kaprizov has received significant recognition, including the Calder Memorial Trophy nomination, which he won in 2021 as the NHL rookie of the year.
Kirill Kaprizov Awards Won
Kirill Kaprizov has won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021, becoming the first player in Minnesota Wild history to receive this honor.
Kirill Kaprizov Family
Information about Kirill Kaprizov’s family is limited and not publicly detailed.
Personal Life
Kirill Kaprizov is known to enjoy playing video games, including Counter-Strike and Dota. When he returns to Novokuznetsk, he enjoys fishing and playing football. He is also the godfather and namesake of his CSKA Moscow teammate Nikita Nesterov’s son, Kirill Nesterov.
