Dmitri Kulikov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dmitry Kulikov |
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| Born | 29 October 1990 Lipetsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Winnipeg Jets Florida Panthers Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Buffalo Sabres |
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| National team |  Russia |
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| NHL Draft | 14th overall, 2009 Florida Panthers |
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| Playing career | 2009–present | ||
Dmitri Kulikov (born October 29, 1990) is a professional ice hockey player from Russia. He plays as a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets in the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for other teams like the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres.
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Dmitri Kulikov's Hockey Journey
Dmitri Kulikov started his hockey career in Russia. He played for a team called Lokomotiv-2 Yaroslavl in a league called Pervaya Liga. He spent one season there, learning and improving his skills.
Playing in North America
After playing in Russia, Dmitri moved to North America. He joined the Drummondville Voltigeurs team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). This is a big league for young players in Canada.
During his time in the QMJHL, Dmitri was a top player. He led all defensemen in the Quebec League with 62 points in 57 games. Points are scored when a player gets a goal or an assist.
Awards and Recognition
Dmitri won several important awards while playing in the QMJHL. These awards showed how talented he was:
- The Emile Bouchard Trophy: This award is given to the best defenseman in the QMJHL.
- The Raymond Lagacé Trophy: This award is for the best defensive rookie (a new player) of the year.
- The Mike Bossy Trophy: This award goes to the league's best player who is expected to become a professional.
Joining the NHL
In 2009, Dmitri Kulikov was chosen in the NHL Entry Draft. He was the 14th player picked overall by the Florida Panthers team. This was a huge step towards playing in the National Hockey League.
The Florida Panthers officially signed Dmitri on September 29, 2009. He quickly showed his great skills and confidence. He played in 68 games for the Florida Panthers in his first season.
External Links
- Dmitri Kulikov's NHL player profile
- Dmitri Kulikov's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
