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 | Forward | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| Current 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 Vladimirovich Kulemin (born July 14, 1986) is a Russian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a free agent, meaning he is not signed with any team right now. Nikolay played in the top North American league, the National Hockey League (NHL), for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Islanders. The Maple Leafs picked him in the 2006 NHL draft.
Contents
Nikolay Kulemin's Hockey Journey
Starting His Professional Career
On May 25, 2007, Nikolay Kulemin signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, he stayed in Russia for the 2007–08 season. He played for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
First NHL Season with the Maple Leafs
Kulemin joined the NHL for the 2008–09 season. He quickly found a good connection with his teammates Niklas Hagman and Mikhail Grabovski. Nikolay scored his first NHL goal in his very first game. This happened against the Detroit Red Wings on October 9, 2008. His goal was the winning goal in a 3–2 victory for Toronto. Later that season, Kulemin played on a line with Grabovski and Alexei Ponikarovsky. On March 21, 2009, he had a great game against the Montreal Canadiens. He scored one goal and had two assists, getting three points in total. Ponikarovsky, who was from Ukraine, helped Kulemin feel more comfortable in North America.
Improving His Game
In his second season, Kulemin showed a small improvement in his scoring. He went from 15 goals and 31 points to 16 goals and 36 points. His 16 goals were tied for fourth on the Maple Leafs team. In January 2010, he was chosen as a backup player for the Russian national team. This was for the 2010 Winter Olympics. On July 2, 2010, Kulemin signed a new two-year contract with the Maple Leafs.
A Big Season for Kulemin
The 2010–11 season was a big step forward for Nikolay Kulemin. He played on a line with Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur. Kulemin set new personal bests for goals and points that season. On April 5, 2011, he became the first Russian-born Maple Leaf to score 30 goals in a season. This had not happened since Alexander Mogilny did it in 2002–03. Kulemin also scored a career-high four points in one game. This was against the Atlanta Thrashers on January 7, 2011.
Challenges and New Contracts
After his great season, Kulemin's scoring dropped in 2011–12. He scored only seven goals in 70 games. Despite this, the Maple Leafs re-signed him on July 20, 2012. He signed another two-year contract. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he went back to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Russia. There, he scored 38 points in 36 games. When the lockout ended, he returned to Toronto. He scored seven goals and 23 points in 48 games. In the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, Kulemin had only one assist in seven games. The Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Boston Bruins.
Playing in the Olympics
In the 2013–14 season, Kulemin was chosen to play for Russia in the 2014 Winter Olympics. The Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia. With the Maple Leafs that season, Kulemin scored nine goals and 11 assists, for a total of 20 points.
Joining the New York Islanders
On July 2, 2014, Kulemin became a free agent. He 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 teammate, Mikhail Grabovski. They had told teams they wanted to sign together. In his first season with New York, he scored 15 goals and 31 points. On April 25, 2015, Kulemin scored a game-winning goal in the playoffs. This was in game six of the first round of the 2015 playoffs.
Later Seasons and Return to Russia
In the 2015–16 season, Kulemin's scoring dropped again. He scored only nine goals and 22 points with the Islanders. In the 2016 playoffs, he added four points in 11 games. After his contract with the Islanders ended, Kulemin left the NHL. On July 4, 2018, he returned to Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Russia. He signed a three-year contract with them. After that contract, he signed a one-year deal with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL 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, 2024.
Nikolay Kulemin's Personal Life
Nikolay Kulemin is married and has two children.
Awards and Honours
Individual Awards
- Russian Super League Most Valuable Player – 2007
Team Awards
- Tampere Cup – 2006
- Česká Pojišťovna Cup – 2006
- Karjala Cup – 2006
- Channel One Cup – 2006
- Russian Super League Championship – 2007
International Play and Medals
Nikolay Kulemin has represented Russia in many international hockey tournaments. He has won several medals for his country.
| Medal record | ||
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| Representing Russia |
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| Men's 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 | |
