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 was a left winger who played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Before 2012, Filatov also played in North America. He was part of the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets teams in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Nikita was picked sixth overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Blue Jackets. He was seen as the best European skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. Filatov played two seasons with the Blue Jackets. In the 2009–10 season, he was loaned to CSKA Moscow. Later, in 2011, the Blue Jackets traded him to the Ottawa Senators. In December 2011, the Senators also loaned him to CSKA Moscow. The next season, Filatov signed with Salavat Yulaev.

Filatov played for Russia in many international hockey events. 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 All-Star Team at the 2008 World U18 Championships and the 2009 World Junior Championships.

Nikita Filatov's Hockey Journey

Early Years in 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 joined CSKA-2, the club's junior team. He played there for two seasons, scoring many points.

In the 2006–07 season, Filatov also played for Russia. He made his international debut at the World Under 18 Championship.

Turning Professional

In the 2007–08 season, Filatov played his first professional games. He joined CSKA in the Russian Superleague (RSL). He mostly played at the junior level that season. With his CSKA junior team, he scored 23 goals and 24 assists in 23 games.

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

Playing in the NHL

Filatov signed a three-year contract with the Blue Jackets in July 2008. He first played for their minor league team, the Syracuse Crunch. On October 15, 2008, he was called up to the NHL. He scored his first NHL goal on October 17 against the Nashville Predators.

During the 2008–09 season, Filatov played for both the NHL and AHL teams. He scored four goals in eight NHL games. On January 10, 2009, he scored a hat-trick against the Minnesota Wild. This was a first for a Blue Jackets rookie. He played 39 games with the Crunch, scoring 16 goals and 16 assists. He was even chosen for the 2009 AHL All-Star Game.

Return to Russia

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Filatov was on the Blue Jackets' main roster. But he did not play in many games. He was unhappy with his playing time. He asked to go back to his Russian club team. The Blue Jackets agreed to let him return to Russia for the rest of the season.

Back in Russia, Filatov played for CSKA Moscow in the KHL. He set a KHL record by scoring the game-winning goal in three games in a row. He was named the league's best newcomer for November. In his shortened season in Russia, he played 26 games. He scored nine goals and 13 assists.

Back and Forth Between Leagues

For the 2010–11 season, Filatov returned to the Blue Jackets. He had seven assists in 23 games. In December 2010, he was sent to the Springfield Falcons, the Blue Jackets' new AHL team. He finished the season there, playing 36 games. He scored nine goals and 11 assists.

In 2011, Columbus traded Filatov to the Ottawa Senators. He joined the Senators for their development camp. He made the Senators' team but also played for their AHL team, the Binghamton Senators. In December 2011, the Senators let Filatov choose to play in the KHL. He agreed to play for CSKA Moscow again.

Later KHL Career

After his time in the NHL, Filatov decided to stay in the KHL. In May 2012, he signed a one-year contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa. The Senators then let his NHL rights go. Filatov played 53 NHL games, 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. His team made it to the playoffs. He stayed with Salavat for the 2013–14 season.

Filatov played for many KHL teams in the following years. These included Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Admiral Vladivostok, HC Dynamo Moscow, HC Lada Togliatti, HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, and HC Spartak Moscow. In the 2016–17 season, he had his best year with Lada Togliatti. He scored 19 goals and 21 assists.

In November 2018, he was traded back to Salavat Yulaev Ufa. After the 2018–19 season, Filatov ended his playing career. He then started working as a player agent.

Playing for Russia

Filatov accepts his player of the game award during the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship.
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Russia
World Junior Championship
Bronze	2009 Canada
Bronze	2008 Czech Republic
IIHF U18 Championship
Silver	2008 Russia
Gold	2007 Finland

Filatov played a lot for Russia's national teams. He played in under-18 and under-20 tournaments. His first big tournament was the 2007 U18 Championship in Finland. Russia won a gold medal there. Filatov, who was younger than most players, scored four goals and five assists. He led the Russian team in points.

He also played at the 2008 U18 Championship in Russia. Filatov was the team captain. They won a silver medal. He scored three goals and had six assists. He was named to the Tournament All-Star Team.

At the 2008 World Junior Championship, Filatov joined Russia's under-20 junior team. He scored four goals and five assists. Russia won the bronze medal. Filatov scored two goals in the bronze medal game.

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

He played in a third World Junior Championship in 2010. He was also the captain for this tournament. However, the team did not do well. Filatov was later replaced as captain. After playing in three World Junior Championships, Filatov is tied as Russia's all-time leading scorer at the event. He finished his junior career with 26 points.

How Nikita Played

Scouts had different ideas about Filatov's playing style. Some said he was a great scorer and a well-rounded player. They liked his skating, vision, and high energy. Others thought he needed to improve his defensive game. He was known for not training in a regular gym. Instead, he preferred to run outside and lift natural objects like trees and boulders.

Nikita's Life Outside Hockey

Nikita Filatov was born in Moscow, Russia. His parents are Vasily and Yelena. He speaks English very well. This is because his mother was an English teacher. She used to teach him at home. When he started playing professional hockey in North America, his mother stayed with him. She helped him get used to his new surroundings.

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

Statistics Sources

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.