Nikolay Kulemin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nikolay Kulemin |
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Kulemin with the New York Islanders in March 2015.
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| Born | 14 July 1986 Magnitogorsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Left Wing | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Free agent Metallurg Magnitogorsk Toronto Maple Leafs New York Islanders Salavat Yulaev Ufa |
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| National team |  Russia |
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| NHL Draft | 44th overall, 2006 Toronto Maple Leafs |
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| Playing career | 2003–present | ||
Nikolay Kulemin (born July 14, 1986) is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He used to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders. He was chosen by the Maple Leafs in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Contents
Playing Career
Starting in the NHL
Nikolay Kulemin signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2007. However, he stayed in Russia for the 2007–08 season. This was part of an agreement between the Maple Leafs and his Russian team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
When he started his first NHL season in 2008–09, Kulemin quickly became a strong player. He played well with his teammates Niklas Hagman and Mikhail Grabovski. Kulemin scored his first NHL goal in his very first NHL game! This happened against the Detroit Red Wings on October 9, 2008. His goal was the winning goal in a 3–2 game for Toronto.
Later that season, Kulemin often played with Grabovski and Alexei Ponikarovsky. In a game against the Montreal Canadiens in March 2009, Kulemin had a great night. He scored one goal and made two assists, helping Toronto win 5–2. Ponikarovsky, who was from Ukraine, helped Kulemin feel more comfortable in North America. He would translate for Kulemin and guide him on and off the ice.
Growing as a Player
In his second season, Kulemin improved his scoring. He went from 15 goals and 31 points to 16 goals and 36 points. His 16 goals were tied for fourth-highest on the Maple Leafs. In January 2010, he was chosen as a backup player for the Russian team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
On July 2, 2010, Kulemin signed a new two-year contract with the Maple Leafs. Each year, he would earn $2.35 million.
The 2010–11 season was a big step forward for Kulemin. He played on a line with Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur. Kulemin set new personal bests for goals and points. On April 5, 2011, he became the first Russian-born Maple Leaf to score 30 goals in a season since Alexander Mogilny in 2002–03. He also had a career-high four points in a game against the Atlanta Thrashers in January 2011.
Challenges and New Teams
After his great season, Kulemin's scoring dropped in 2011–12. He scored only 7 goals in 70 games. Even with this, Toronto re-signed him to another two-year contract in July 2012. This contract was worth $2.8 million per year.
During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Kulemin went back to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Russia. He scored 38 points in 36 games there. When the NHL season started again, he returned to Toronto. He scored 7 goals and 23 points in 48 games. In the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, he had 1 assist in 7 games before the Leafs were eliminated.
In the 2013–14 season, Kulemin was chosen to play for Russia in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. With the Maple Leafs, he scored only 9 goals and 11 assists for a total of 20 points.
On July 2, 2014, Kulemin left the Maple Leafs after six seasons. He signed a four-year contract with the New York Islanders. Kulemin joined the Islanders with his friend and former Maple Leafs linemate, Mikhail Grabovski. They had told teams they wanted to sign together.
He started to find his scoring touch again with New York. He scored 15 goals and 31 points in his first season with the Islanders. In April 2015, Kulemin scored what was thought to be the final game-winning goal at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This happened in a playoff game. However, Anthony Beauvillier later scored an overtime winner there in 2021, making that the true final goal.
In the 2015–16 season, Kulemin's scoring dropped again to 9 goals and 22 points with the Islanders. In the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, he added 4 points in 11 games.
After his contract with the Islanders ended, Kulemin left the NHL in July 2018. He returned to his old team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, in Russia, signing a three-year contract.
After his contract with Metallurg ended, Kulemin signed a one-year deal to continue playing in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa on August 27, 2021.
On September 5, 2024, Kulemin signed a try-out agreement with the Ottawa Senators. He did not make the team and was released on September 30.
Personal Life
Nikolay Kulemin is married to Natasha. They have two children: a son named Aleks, born in March 2009, and a daughter, born in February 2012.
International Achievements
| Medal record | ||
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Representing  Russia |
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| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
| Bronze | 2007 Russia | |
| Silver | 2010 Germany | |
| Gold | 2012 Finland | |
| Gold | 2014 Belarus | |
| Silver | 2015 Czech Republic | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Silver | 2006 Canada | |
| IIHF World U18 Championships | ||
| Gold | 2004 Belarus | |
Nikolay Kulemin has proudly represented Russia in many international hockey tournaments. He has won several medals for his country:
- Gold Medals:
- 2004 World U18 Championships
- 2012 World Championships
- 2014 World Championships
- Silver Medals:
- 2006 World Junior Championships
- 2010 World Championships
- 2015 World Championships
- Bronze Medal:
- 2007 World Championships
Awards and Honours
Individual Awards
- Russian Super League MVP: 2007 (This means he was named the Most Valuable Player in the Russian Super League in 2007!)
Team Awards
- Tampere Cup: 2006
- Česká Pojišťovna Cup: 2006
- Karjala Cup: 2006
- Channel One Cup: 2006
- Russian Super League championship: 2007 (His team won the championship in the Russian Super League!)
