Raleigh, North Carolina – The Carolina Hurricanes have inked a new deal with defenseman Alexander Nikishin, as announced today by General Manager Eric Tulsky. The two-year, entry-level contract will see Nikishin earning $832,500 for the upcoming 2024-25 and 2025-26 NHL seasons, alongside a $185,000 signing bonus. Tulsky expressed appreciation for Nikishin’s growth as a player during his time with SKA, a top-tier European hockey team, noting his potential impact on the Hurricanes’ lineup.
At 23 years old, Nikishin showcased his talent and leadership abilities as team captain for SKA St. Petersburg, tallying 46 points from 17 goals and 29 assists in 61 regular-season appearances during the 2024-25 campaign. Hailing from Orel, Russia, Nikishin impressed in the KHL, ranking among the top defensemen in goals and points. His postseason performance with SKA included two goals and an assist across four games.
Boasting a career in the KHL, Nikishin set records for scoring by a defenseman, accumulating 177 points (54 goals, 123 assists) and 166 penalty minutes in 288 regular-season games. He further solidified his reputation in 35 postseason games, contributing 15 points. Noteworthy achievements include leading all KHL defensemen in scoring for two consecutive seasons, with 55 points in 2022-23 and 56 points in 2023-24. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 220 pounds, Nikishin has been recognized as KHL Defenseman of the Month seven times over the past three years.
Selected by the Hurricanes in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Nikishin represented Russia at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, securing a silver medal. The promising young defenseman is poised to make a significant impact in the NHL, bringing his size, skill, and proven track record to the Carolina Hurricanes.