Nikita Filatov facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nikita Filatov
Filatov in 2010
Born	(1990-05-25) May 25, 1990 (age 35) Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shot	Right
Played for	CSKA Moscow Columbus Blue Jackets Ottawa Senators Salavat Yulaev Ufa Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod Admiral Vladivostok Dynamo Moscow Lada Togliatti Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Spartak Moscow
NHL Draft	6th overall, 2008 Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career	2007–2019

Nikita Vasilyevich Filatov (Никита Васильевич Филатов; born May 25, 1990) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a left winger. He spent most of his career in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia. Before 2012, Filatov also played in North America for the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Filatov was picked sixth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He was seen as the top European skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He played for the Blue Jackets for two seasons. During the 2009–10 season, Filatov was not happy in Columbus. He was loaned to CSKA Moscow for the rest of that season.

In 2011, the Blue Jackets traded him to Ottawa. In December 2011, the Senators also loaned Filatov to CSKA Moscow. The next season, Filatov signed with Salavat Yulaev in the KHL. The Senators did not offer him a new contract, making him a free agent.

Filatov played for Russia in many international hockey tournaments. He won gold and silver medals at two World U18 Championships. He also won two bronze medals at three World Junior Championships. He was named to the Tournament All-Star Team in 2008 (U18) and 2009 (World Junior).

Playing Hockey

Early Years and Junior Hockey

Filatov started playing minor and junior hockey at age 13. He played in the CSKA Red Army hockey system. At 15, in the 2005–06 season, he played for CSKA-2, the club's junior team. He continued with them in 2006–07, scoring more than three points per game.

In the same season, Filatov played for Russia at the IIHF World U18 Championship. In the 2007–08 season, Filatov played a few games for CSKA's professional team in the Russian Superleague (RSL). He spent most of that season playing junior hockey in Russia. With his CSKA junior team, he scored 23 goals and 24 assists in 23 games.

Before the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, NHL scouts ranked Filatov as the best European skater. The Columbus Blue Jackets picked him sixth overall in the Draft. Filatov was also the first player picked in the 2008 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. He was chosen by the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Starting Professional Career

After being drafted, Filatov signed a three-year contract with the Blue Jackets on July 10, 2008. His contract caused some discussion with the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The KHL claimed the Blue Jackets owed CSKA Moscow money for signing Filatov. However, Filatov and the Blue Jackets believed they followed Russian law. The KHL eventually allowed Filatov to play in the NHL.

Filatov did not make the Blue Jackets team right away. He started playing for their minor league team, the Syracuse Crunch, in the American Hockey League (AHL). On October 15, 2008, he was called up to the NHL. He played his first NHL game and scored his first goal on October 17. For the rest of the 2008–09 season, Filatov played in both the AHL and NHL. He scored four goals in eight NHL games. He also scored a hat-trick on January 10, 2009. He played 39 games with the Crunch, scoring 16 goals and 16 assists. He was even named an AHL All-Star.

Moving Between Leagues

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Filatov made the Blue Jackets team. But he did not play in many games. He was unhappy with his playing time and asked to go back to Russia. The Blue Jackets agreed, and he returned to CSKA Moscow for the rest of the season. In Russia, Filatov set a KHL record by scoring the game-winning goal in three games in a row. He was named the KHL's best newcomer for November. In his shortened season in Russia, he played 26 games, scoring nine goals and 13 assists.

Filatov returned to Columbus for the 2010–11 season. He started with the Blue Jackets and had seven assists in 23 games. In December 2010, he was sent down to the AHL. He spent the rest of the season with the Springfield Falcons, Columbus's new AHL team. He played 36 games there, scoring nine goals and 11 assists.

At the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Columbus traded Filatov to the Ottawa Senators. Filatov joined the Senators for their development camp. He made the Senators team but was often a healthy scratch. He split his time between Ottawa and the Binghamton Senators in the AHL. In December 2011, the Senators offered Filatov the choice to play the rest of the season with CSKA Moscow in the KHL. Filatov agreed. The Senators hoped it would help him develop.

Later Career in the KHL

Even though Filatov went to the KHL, the Senators still hoped he would return. However, in May 2012, Filatov decided to stay in the KHL. He signed a one-year contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa. After this, the Senators chose not to offer him a new contract, making him a free agent. Filatov played 53 NHL games in total, scoring six goals and eight assists. He later said that money was the main reason he chose to stay in Russia.

In the 2012–13 season, Filatov played 47 games with Salavat Yulaev. He scored ten goals and 11 assists. He also played well in the playoffs. He stayed with Salavat for the 2013–14 season. He then played for several other KHL teams, including Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Admiral Vladivostok, and HC Dynamo Moscow.

In the 2016–17 season, Filatov played for HC Lada Togliatti. He had his best season, scoring 19 goals and 21 assists. After playing for Lada Togliatti and HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in 2017–18, he signed with HC Spartak Moscow in 2018. He was later traded back to Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

After the 2018–19 season, Filatov stopped playing professional hockey. He became a player agent.

International Play

Filatov accepts his player of the game award during the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Filatov played a lot for Russia's national teams. He played in under-18 and under-20 tournaments.

U18 Championships

His first international tournament was the 2007 U18 Championship in Finland. Russia won a gold medal. Filatov, who was younger than most players, scored four goals and five assists in seven games. He led the Russian team in points. He also played at the 2008 U18 Championship in Russia. Filatov was the team captain and helped Russia win a silver medal. He scored three goals and six assists and was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.

World Junior Championships

Filatov played for Russia's under-20 junior team at the 2008 World Junior Championship. He scored four goals and five assists. Russia won a bronze medal after beating the United States. Filatov scored two goals in that bronze medal game.

He also played in the 2009 World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Filatov was Russia's captain. He scored eight goals and three assists in seven games. Russia won another bronze medal, defeating Slovakia. Filatov was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.

Filatov played in a third World Junior Championship in 2010. He was again Russia's captain. However, the tournament was disappointing for Russia. Before one game, Filatov was removed as captain after he criticized the team. Filatov is tied as Russia's all-time leading scorer at the World Junior Championship, with 26 points.

Playing Style

Before the 2008 NHL Draft, scouts had different opinions about Filatov. Some said he was a great scorer and a well-rounded player. They praised his skating, vision, and high energy. The NHL's Director of European Scouting said Filatov was a leader with a great attitude and lots of talent. Other scouts thought his defensive game needed work. Off the ice, Filatov did not train in a regular gym. He preferred to run in sand and lift natural objects like trees and rocks.

Personal Life

Filatov was born in Moscow, Russia. His parents are Vasily and Yelena. He speaks English very well because his mother was an English teacher. She taught him at home. When he started playing hockey in North America, his mother stayed with him for several weeks to help him settle in.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	Russia	WJC18			7	4	5	9	6
2007	Russia	U18			4	2	1	3	8
2008	Russia	WJC			7	4	5	9	10
2008	Russia	WJC18			6	3	6	9	29
2009	Russia	WJC			7	8	3	11	6
2010	Russia	WJC	6th		6	1	5	6	6
Junior totals					37	22	25	47	65

Awards and Honors

International Awards

Professional Awards

Images for kids

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  Filatov with the Russian national under-20 team at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship.