Evgeny Kuznetsov facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Evgeny Kuznetsov
Kuznetsov with the Washington Capitals in April 2018
Born	(1992-05-19) 19 May 1992 (age 33) Chelyabinsk, Russia
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
KHL team Former teams	SKA Saint Petersburg Traktor Chelyabinsk Washington Capitals Carolina Hurricanes
National team	Russia
NHL Draft	26th overall, 2010 Washington Capitals
Playing career	2010–present

Yevgeny Evgenyevich Kuznetsov (Russian: Евгений Евгеньевич Кузнецов; born 19 May 1992) is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a forward for SKA Saint Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Before this, he played for the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). He also played for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL.

Kuznetsov has played for Russia many times. He won gold medals at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and also at the 2012 IIHF World Championship and 2014 IIHF World Championship. In 2018, Kuznetsov won the amazing Stanley Cup with the Capitals. He was the top scorer in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs with 32 points! This was the most points by any player in the playoffs since Evgeni Malkin in 2009. Kuznetsov is famous for his "bird celebration" after scoring goals, which earned him the nickname "the Birdman."

Kuznetsov's Hockey Journey

Kuznetsov started his professional hockey career in the 2009–10 season. He played for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL. In his first season, he played 35 games and scored eight points. After this, he was seen as one of the best young European players. The Washington Capitals picked him in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 26th player chosen overall.

In the 2011–12 season, Kuznetsov was chosen for the KHL All-Star Game. He also helped his team win the Continental Cup.

Joining the Washington Capitals

On 8 March 2014, Kuznetsov officially joined the Washington Capitals. He signed his first NHL contract. On 25 March, he scored his first NHL goal. It was a short-handed goal against the Los Angeles Kings. This goal tied the game with less than a minute left!

Kuznetsov scored his first two Stanley Cup playoff goals on 23 April 2015. This was against the New York Islanders. He also had an assist in that game, helping Washington win 5–1. A few days later, on 27 April 2015, he scored the winning goal in Game 7 against the Islanders. This win moved the Capitals forward in the playoffs.

During the 2015–16 season, Kuznetsov was chosen for his first NHL All-Star Game. He took the place of Alexander Ovechkin, who was injured.

Kuznetsov steps on the ice before a playoff game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017.

On 2 July 2017, the Capitals signed Kuznetsov to a big eight-year contract. This showed how much they believed in him.

In the 2018 playoffs, Kuznetsov was amazing. He scored 12 goals and had 20 assists, totaling 32 points in 24 games. This was the second-highest point total in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 25 years! His overtime winning goal in Game 6 against Pittsburgh was huge. It sent the Capitals to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1998. In the Stanley Cup Finals, he had four assists in Game 4. This made him only the fourth NHL player to do that in a finals game. Kuznetsov led the entire league in points during the 2018 playoffs.

Many people thought Kuznetsov might win the Conn Smythe Trophy. This award goes to the most valuable player in the playoffs. However, his teammate and captain, Alex Ovechkin, won it.

On 10 October 2018, Kuznetsov had a great game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He scored a power play goal and had three assists. His teammate T.J. Oshie said Kuznetsov is "up there with the top five players in the League."

In February 2024, Kuznetsov took a break from playing. He returned to practice in March. The Capitals then sent him to their minor league team, the Hershey Bears.

Time with the Carolina Hurricanes

On 8 March 2024, Kuznetsov was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. He played 20 regular season games for them, scoring 2 goals and 7 points. He also helped the Hurricanes reach the second round of the playoffs. He scored 4 goals and 6 points in 10 playoff games.

On 17 July 2024, Kuznetsov and the Hurricanes decided to end his contract early. He then became a free agent.

Return to Russia: SKA Saint Petersburg

As a free agent, Kuznetsov decided to go back to Russia. On 31 July 2024, he signed a four-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL.

Kuznetsov's Playing Style

Kuznetsov is known for being one of the best passers in hockey. His Capitals teammate Tom Wilson said, "He just tells me to put my stick on the ice and he'll hit it." People say it's a privilege to play with him. Kuznetsov has often played alongside the famous Russian player Alexander Ovechkin. But his own amazing talent has really started to get noticed.

His former coach, Barry Trotz, thinks Kuznetsov is a very smart player. He said, "Kuznetsov has an extremely high hockey IQ." This means he understands the game very well. His teammate Lars Eller agreed, saying, "Kuzy has a very high IQ. He’s a very smart player."

Kuznetsov is also famous for his goal celebrations, or "cellies." His most well-known celebration is the "prancing bird" dance. He also used to do the kayak, push-ups, and even play dead! He first did the bird dance at the 2016 World Cup. Kuznetsov says he brought the bird dance back because his daughter "loves that stuff." He got the idea for the bird dance from the FIFA soccer video game.

Playing for Russia

Evgeny Kuznetsov accepting a post-game award at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Russia
World Championships
Gold	2012 Finland/Sweden
Gold	2014 Belarus
Bronze	2016 Russia
Bronze	2017 Germany/France
World Junior Championships
Gold	2011 United States
Silver	2012 Canada
IIHF World U18 Championship
Silver	2009 United States

Kuznetsov during the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Kuznetsov played for Russia at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He scored two goals in that tournament. He was named player of the game for Russia against Austria.

He played for Russia again in the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was the only 18-year-old on the team. He finished second in scoring with four goals and seven assists. In the gold medal game, Russia came back from being down 3–0 to beat Canada 5–3! Kuznetsov had three assists in that game. He was named one of the three best players on his team.

Kuznetsov was the team captain for Russia at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. This was his third time playing in the tournament. On 29 December 2011, he had an amazing game against Latvia. He scored three goals and had six assists, for a total of nine points! This set a record for most points by a Russian player at the World Juniors. It was also the second-highest point total in a single game in the tournament's history.

Kuznetsov's Life Outside Hockey

Kuznetsov married Anastasiya (Nastya) Zinov'eva in 2011. They have two children, a daughter and a son.

Kuznetsov had an older brother, Alexander. Sadly, Alexander passed away in 2003 when Evgeny was only 10 years old.

Kuznetsov loves soccer! He is a big fan of the English team Liverpool F.C..

Awards and Honors