Andrei Svechnikov facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrei Svechnikov
Svechnikov in 2018
Born	(2000-03-26) 26 March 2000 (age 25) Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Winger
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Carolina Hurricanes
NHL Draft	2nd overall, 2018 Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career	2018–present

Andrei Igorevich Svechnikov (born on March 26, 2000) is a professional ice hockey player from Russia. He plays as a winger for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Hurricanes chose him as the second overall pick in the 2018 NHL entry draft.

Andrei Svechnikov's Hockey Journey

Starting in Junior Hockey

Andrei Svechnikov began his junior hockey career in North America. He joined the Muskegon Lumberjacks team in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He signed with them in May 2016. This was partly because his older brother, Evgeny, played for a nearby team.

During the 2016–17 season, Andrei was the top scorer for his team. He also ranked sixth in the entire league. Because of his great performance, he was named to the All-USHL Team. He also won the USHL Rookie of the Year award.

Moving to the OHL

In 2017, the Barrie Colts picked Svechnikov first overall in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. The Colts are part of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In his first season with the team, he scored 40 goals and made 32 assists. This gave him a total of 72 points in just 44 games.

He earned the Emms Family Award as the rookie of the year. By the end of the season, he was ranked as the best North American skater. This made him a top prospect for the upcoming 2018 NHL entry draft.

Joining the NHL

Svechnikov playing for Russia in 2016.

The Carolina Hurricanes selected Svechnikov second overall in the 2018 NHL draft. On June 30, he signed a three-year contract with the team.

Andrei made his NHL debut on October 4, 2018. He played against the New York Islanders. The next day, he got his first NHL point, an assist, in a win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. On October 7, Svechnikov scored his first NHL goal. This happened during a big 8–5 win against the New York Rangers. He was the first player born in the 2000s to score an NHL goal!

In his first season, he scored 20 goals and made 17 assists. He also added 5 points in 9 playoff games.

Amazing Goals and Milestones

On October 29, 2019, Svechnikov made history. He became the first NHL player to score a "Michigan goal". This is a special move where a player lifts the puck on their stick and throws it into the net. He scored this goal against the Calgary Flames. He scored a similar goal again on December 17 against the Winnipeg Jets.

He had a much better season that year. He scored 24 goals and made 37 assists, totaling 61 points. In the 2020 Qualifying Round, the Hurricanes played against the Rangers. In Game 2, Svechnikov scored a hat-trick (three goals in one game). This was the first hat-trick in the Hurricanes' playoff history!

Andrei Svechnikov (right) with Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken in 2022.

On August 26, 2021, Svechnikov signed a big eight-year contract with the Hurricanes. In March 2023, his 2022–23 season ended early. He got a knee injury during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He played in 64 games that season. He scored 23 goals and made 32 assists, for a total of 55 points.

Andrei's Life Off the Ice

Family and Early Life

Andrei Svechnikov has an older brother named Evgeny. Evgeny was also drafted into the NHL by the Detroit Red Wings in 2015.

Andrei's father, Igor, used to be a doctor. After a big earthquake in 1995, he moved his family to Barnaul in Siberia. There, he started selling cakes. Andrei's mother, Elena, worked two jobs. She worked at a hockey rink during the day and cleaned floors at night. Because of her job at the rink, both Andrei and Evgeny became interested in hockey very early. Andrei started skating when he was just 3 years old!

To help their sons become better hockey players, Andrei's parents moved to Moscow. Later, they moved to Kazan when a hockey team there recruited them. When Andrei moved to Michigan to play in the USHL, his mother, Elena, went with him. Since Evgeny was playing nearby, the family often spent time together.

Awards and Achievements

Andrei Svechnikov has won several awards during his hockey career: