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	Free agent Traktor Chelyabinsk Washington Capitals Carolina Hurricanes SKA Saint Petersburg
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 forward. He is currently a unrestricted free agent. He last played for SKA Saint Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Before that, 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 in many junior and senior hockey events. He won gold medals at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and at the 2012 IIHF World Championship and 2014 IIHF World Championship.

In 2018, Kuznetsov won the 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 a single postseason since Evgeni Malkin in 2009. Kuznetsov is also famous for his "bird celebration" after scoring goals. This celebration earned him the nickname "the Birdman."

Playing Career Highlights

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

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

Joining the Washington Capitals

On 8 March 2014, Kuznetsov signed his first contract with the Washington Capitals. He scored his first NHL goal on 25 March against the Los Angeles Kings. It was a short-handed goal that tied the game with less than a minute left. However, the Capitals lost the game in a shootout.

In the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, Kuznetsov scored his first two 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. On 27 April 2015, he scored the winning goal in Game 7 against the Islanders. This win sent the Capitals to the next round of the playoffs.

During the 2015–16 NHL season, Kuznetsov was selected for his first NHL All-Star Game. He replaced Alexander Ovechkin, who was injured.

Kuznetsov steps on the ice prior to the start of Game 5 of the 2017 First Round playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On 2 July 2017, the Capitals signed Kuznetsov to a new eight-year contract. The contract was worth $62.4 million, or $7.8 million per season.

Winning the Stanley Cup

In the 2018 playoffs, Kuznetsov had an amazing performance. He scored 12 goals and made 20 assists, totaling 32 points in 24 games. This was the second-highest point total in the last 25 years of the Stanley Cup playoffs. His overtime winning goal in Game 6 against Pittsburgh was very important. It sent the Capitals to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1998.

In Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Kuznetsov made four assists. This made him only the fourth NHL player to achieve so many assists in a finals game. He led the league in points during the 2018 postseason. However, his teammate and captain, Alex Ovechkin, won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable player in the playoffs.

W.G. Ramirez from Associated Press said:

"Kuznetsov was arguably the Capitals' most important player in helping them win a championship they had wanted for over 40 years. The 26-year-old finished with a playoff-leading 32 points, including his 20th assist in Thursday night's 4–3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5."

—W.G. Ramirez, Associated Press

On 10 October 2018, Kuznetsov scored a power play goal and had three assists. This helped the Washington Capitals win 5–2 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Teammate T.J. Oshie praised Kuznetsov, saying he is "up there with the top five players in the League." Kuznetsov also helped Alex Ovechkin score two goals, which moved Ovechkin past Bobby Hull on the all-time goals list. Kuznetsov said it was a "pleasure to play with" Ovechkin, calling him "one of the best players in probably whole history."

In September 2019, the NHL suspended Kuznetsov for three games due to inappropriate conduct.

In February 2024, Kuznetsov took a break from playing. In March, he was cleared to return and was sent to the Hershey Bears, a minor league team.

Time with the Carolina Hurricanes

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

On 17 July 2024, Kuznetsov's contract with the Hurricanes ended early by agreement. He then became a free agent.

Return to Russia

As a free agent, Kuznetsov went back to Russia to play in the KHL. He signed a four-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg on 31 July 2024. In the 2024-25 KHL season, Kuznetsov was the team captain. He played 39 regular season games and scored 37 points. After his team was eliminated from the playoffs, Kuznetsov and SKA agreed to end his contract on 9 April 2025.

Player Style and Celebrations

Kuznetsov is known as one of the most accurate passers in hockey. His teammate Tom Wilson said, "He just tells me to put my stick on the ice and he'll hit it." Wilson added that it's a "privilege to play with him."

Coach Trotz believes Kuznetsov is a very smart player. He said, "Kuznetsov has an extremely high hockey IQ. He loves to study film. He sees what others don't." Teammate Lars Eller agreed, saying, "Kuzy has a very high IQ. He’s a very smart player."

John Carlson described Kuznetsov in June 2018:

One of the most dynamic players, and he can take over the league if he wants to. I think he's that talented and sees the game better than anyone else.

—John Carlson, June 2018

Kuznetsov enjoys having fun on the ice. He is known for his unique goal celebrations, called "cellies" in hockey slang. His most famous celebration is the "prancing bird" dance. He also used to do the kayak, push-ups, and playing dead. Kuznetsov first showed the bird dance at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He brought it back for the 2018 NHL playoffs because his daughter "loves that stuff." Kuznetsov got the idea for the bird dance from the FIFA soccer video game.

International Play

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 in Canada. He scored two goals in the tournament.

He played for Russia again in the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in New York. He was the only 18-year-old on the Russian team. He finished second in scoring with four goals and seven assists in seven games. In the gold medal game, Russia came back from a 3–0 deficit to beat Canada 5–3. Kuznetsov 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, in a game against Latvia, Kuznetsov scored three goals and made six assists. This set a record for most points by a Russian player at the World Juniors.

In August 2019, the IIHF suspended Kuznetsov for four years. This was because he tested positive for a banned substance. As a result, he lost his 2019 World Championship bronze medal.

Personal Life

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

Kuznetsov had an older brother, Alexander, who passed away when Evgeny was 10 years old.

Kuznetsov loves soccer and is a big fan of Liverpool F.C..

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008	Russia	U18			4	2	2	4	18
2009	Russia	U17	7th		5	6	4	10	6
2009	Russia	WJC18			7	6	7	13	10
2010	Russia	WJC	6th		6	2	0	2	10
2010	Russia	WJC18	4th		7	5	7	12	6
2011	Russia	WJC			7	4	7	11	4
2012	Russia	WJC			6	6	7	13	2
2012	Russia	WC			10	2	4	6	4
2013	Russia	WC	6th		3	1	0	1	2
2014	Russia	WC			10	1	1	2	4
2016	Russia	WC			6	1	1	2	0
2016	Russia	WCH	4th		4	2	0	2	6
2017	Russia	WC			5	1	2	3	6
2019	Russia	WC	3rd		10	2	4	6	6
Junior totals					43	31	34	65	50
Senior totals					48	10	12	22	28

Awards and Honors