Alexander Barabanov

Alexander Dmitriyevich Barabanov (born 17 June 1994) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He formerly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the San Jose Sharks.

Playing career Barabanov made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut playing with powerhouse SKA Saint Petersburg during the 2013–14 KHL season. Barabanov won the Gagarin Cup with Saint Petersburg in 2015 and 2017. He was named a KHL All-Star in the 2018–19 KHL season. On 7 April 2020, Barabanov having played seven seasons in the KHL with Saint Petersburg, opted to pursue a career in the National Hockey League (NHL) by signing a one-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Barabanov remained on the Maple Leafs opening night roster and made his NHL debut in a 5–4 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens on 13 January 2021. Playing in a reduced role, due to the Maple Leafs forward depth, Barabanov appeared sporadically in 13 regular season games collecting one point, a primary assist on a T. J. Brodie goal in a 3–2 victory also over the Canadiens, on 7 April 2021. In an assignment to the Maple Leafs American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, Barabanov showed his offensive acumen in collecting five points through two games.

On 12 April 2021, Barabanov was traded from Toronto at the trade deadline to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Antti Suomela. On 12 May 2021, he signed a one-year extension. During the 2022–23 season, Barabanov improved, scoring 15 goals and 47 points in 68 games before being missing the remainder of the season due to injury. Barabanov struggled with injuries in the 2023–24 season, appearing in only 46 games, scoring four goals and 13 points.

Following four seasons in the NHL, on 1 August 2024, Barabanov opted to return to his homeland to continue his career, signing a two-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL.

At the conclusion of his contract with Ak Bars, Barabanov continued his career in the KHL signing as a free agent to a two-year contract with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg on 16 July 2026.

International play

Barabanov played for Russia at the 2014 World Junior Championships earning a bronze medal. He was a member of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team at the 2018 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal.