Philipp Kurashev Bio
Philipp Kurashev is a Swiss–Russian professional ice hockey player who plays the centre position for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 12 October 1999 in Davos, Switzerland, Kurashev came up through Swiss and Canadian junior circuits before being selected 120th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. A forward with a left shot, he began his professional career in 2019 and has since become a steady middle-six contributor at the NHL level.
Standing 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) tall and weighing 190 lb (86 kg), Kurashev combines a playmaking mindset with the versatility to play both centre and wing. After spending parts of six seasons with the Blackhawks organization, he signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks in July 2025, opening a new chapter in his career.
Early Life and Background
Philipp Kurashev was born on 12 October 1999 in Davos, a town in the Swiss Alps that is closely associated with ice hockey and home to one of Europe’s most storied hockey institutions. Growing up in this environment gave him early and constant exposure to the sport, both through local clubs and the broader Swiss hockey culture. His father, Konstantin Kurashev, was a Russian professional hockey player, and that family connection helped shape Philipp’s understanding of the game from a young age.
Because of his father’s Russian background, Kurashev holds dual Swiss and Russian citizenship. He grew up speaking German in Switzerland and Russian at home, and he later became fluent in English during his time in North America. This multilingual ability has been a quiet asset throughout his career, allowing him to move comfortably between Swiss, North American, and international hockey settings.
As a teenager, Kurashev joined the development pathway of HC Lugano in Switzerland’s National League, where he refined his skills against older competition. His performances at the junior level in Europe attracted the attention of scouts in North America, setting the stage for his eventual move across the Atlantic.
Path to Hockey
Kurashev’s path to professional hockey took him through the Canadian junior ranks. He played for the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), one of the most respected development leagues in North America. Over three seasons with the Remparts, he appeared in 183 regular-season games and produced 179 points, including 69 goals, establishing himself as one of the more consistent offensive forwards in the league.
His strong junior resume earned him an invitation to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, where the Chicago Blackhawks selected him in the fourth round, 120th overall. While not a high-profile pick at the time, the selection signalled that NHL teams viewed him as a skilled, two-way forward with room to grow. After his draft year, Kurashev continued to develop with the Remparts while also representing Switzerland in international tournaments, gaining the experience needed to make the jump to professional hockey.
His progress in the QMJHL, combined with his international showings, convinced the Blackhawks that he was ready to turn professional. On 12 March 2019, Kurashev signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Chicago, formally beginning his professional career.
Philipp Kurashev Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Following his entry-level deal, Kurashev was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, at the end of his final junior season. He made his professional debut on 5 April 2019, getting his first taste of pro hockey in North America. The short 2019–20 campaign gave the organization a chance to evaluate him against grown men while allowing Kurashev to adjust to the pace and physicality of the professional game.
The following season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the start of the North American schedule. With the AHL season on hold, Kurashev returned to Switzerland and was loaned to HC Lugano of the National League on 6 September 2020. Playing in his home country helped him stay sharp, regain confidence, and continue developing while waiting for the NHL season to resume.
NHL Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Kurashev made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks on 15 January 2021 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Just four days later, on 19 January 2021, he scored his first NHL goal, beating Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The quick transition from debut to first goal signalled that he belonged at the NHL level and gave the Blackhawks a glimpse of his offensive upside.
Over the next two seasons, Kurashev settled into a middle-six role with the Blackhawks, logging regular ice time and contributing on both special teams units. He showed flashes of the playmaking that had defined his junior career, using his vision and skating to set up linemates. While Chicago struggled as a team during parts of this stretch, Kurashev continued to build his résumé as a reliable, two-way forward.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2023–2025)
Heading into the 2023–24 season, Kurashev became a restricted free agent and requested an arbitration hearing for a new contract. On 23 July 2023, an arbitrator awarded him a two-year deal with an average annual value of $2.25 million, locking him in as a key piece of the Blackhawks’ forward group.
The 2023–24 campaign turned out to be his most productive NHL season. Kurashev set career highs across the board with 18 goals and 36 assists, finishing second on the Blackhawks in goals, assists, and points. Only rookie phenom Connor Bedard produced more offence for Chicago that year, and Kurashev’s chemistry with Bedard became one of the team’s most talked-about storylines.
His momentum stalled in 2024–25, when Kurashev managed just 14 points through 51 regular-season games, a career low for him at the NHL level. After the season, the Blackhawks did not tender him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kurashev is best known as a smart, two-way centre whose strengths lie in playmaking, puck distribution, and reliable defensive responsibility. He reads the game well, finds soft ice in the offensive zone, and uses his skating to create space for linemates. His partnership with Connor Bedard during the 2023–24 season showed how effectively he can complement a high-end finisher when given consistent opportunity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Kurashev’s career are his NHL debut on 15 January 2021, his first NHL goal four days later against Sergei Bobrovsky, and his career-best 54-point season in 2023–24. His 2024 IIHF World Championship silver medal with Switzerland stands as one of his most significant international accomplishments.
Philipp Kurashev Career Wins
While Kurashev is a playmaking centre rather than a pure goal-scorer, his professional résumé includes notable wins, milestones, and statistical achievements across junior, NHL, and international play. His path from a fourth-round draft pick to a career 54-point NHL season underscores the steady growth that has defined his career.
QMJHL and International Highlights
With the Quebec Remparts, Kurashev posted 179 points in 183 regular-season games, ranking among the most productive European-trained players in the QMJHL during his tenure. Internationally, he represented Switzerland at the 2019 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia early in his pro career, then returned to the tournament in 2024, where he helped Switzerland capture a silver medal. He did not participate in the 2025 IIHF World Championship, as he was recovering from wrist surgery.
Other Performances
During his loan to HC Lugano in 2020–21, Kurashev gained valuable top-level experience in Switzerland’s National League, helping him stay sharp during the pandemic-disrupted season. His time with the Rockford IceHogs in 2019 also marked his introduction to North American professional hockey, providing a foundation for his eventual full-time NHL role.
Philipp Kurashev Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kurashev is the son of Konstantin Kurashev, a Russian former professional hockey player whose career influenced Philipp’s path into the sport. Growing up around the game through his father gave him an early understanding of what it takes to compete at high levels, and his Swiss-Russian upbringing shaped the dual-citizen identity he carries today.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Kurashev is known for being multilingual and culturally adaptable, fluent in English, German, and Russian thanks to his Swiss upbringing and Russian family roots. His ability to move between countries and leagues has been a defining feature of his young career, and he continues to build his life around the sport he grew up watching in Davos.
2025 Season Performance
Kurashev enters the 2025–26 season with the San Jose Sharks after signing a one-year, $1.2 million contract on 1 July 2025. The move came shortly after the Chicago Blackhawks declined to tender him a qualifying offer, opening the door for a fresh start on the West Coast. For the Sharks, the signing adds an experienced, two-way centre to a young forward group still building its identity.
Coming off a wrist surgery that kept him out of the 2025 IIHF World Championship, Kurashev’s primary focus will be on returning to full health and re-establishing the offensive form he showed during his 54-point 2023–24 campaign. If healthy, he projects as a middle-six contributor capable of driving playmaking and supporting the team’s top young forwards.
For Kurashev, the 2025–26 season represents both a reset and an opportunity. A strong year in San Jose could restore his value around the league and set the stage for a longer-term deal, while the Sharks gain a motivated veteran eager to prove that his best hockey is still ahead of him.
