Grigori Denisenko

Grigori Georgievich Denisenko (; born 24 June 2000) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a winger for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected in the first round, 15th overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2018 NHL entry draft. He played two seasons with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL before moving to North America in 2020, and made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut in 2021.

Playing career Denisenko played as a youth within the junior ranks of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. He made his professional debut in the Kontinental Hockey League with Lokomotiv during the 2017–18 playoffs, featuring in 4 post-season games before returning to help junior affiliate Loko capture the Junior Hockey Championship.

As the 7th ranked international skater by the NHL Central Scouting, Denisenko was selected at the 2018 NHL entry draft in the first round, 15th overall, by the Florida Panthers on 23 June 2018.

On 5 May 2020, Denisenko agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers. He officially signed his contract on 15 July 2020. He began the 2020–21 season playing in the American Hockey League with the Syracuse Crunch, and made his NHL debut on 6 March 2021 against the Nashville Predators. Denisenko later made his NHL playoff debut on 13 June 2023, filling in for an injured Matthew Tkachuk in game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

On 6 October 2023, Denisenko was waived by the Panthers and subsequently claimed by the Golden Knights. After being placed back on waivers by Vegas one day later, Denisenko was assigned to Vegas' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. Denisenko debuted for Vegas on 4 January 2024, playing eight minutes in a 4–1 loss to the Panthers. He completed his first season with Vegas, going scoreless through 6 games.

In the season, Denisenko made just one appearance with the Golden Knights, as he was primarily assigned to AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. After posting 10 goals and 24 points through 42 games with the Silver Knights, Denisenko was traded by Vegas to the Nashville Predators in exchange for future considerations on 18 February 2025.

On 2 September 2025, Denisenko signed a one-year deal with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

International play

Denisenko was selected to the Russian team for the 2019 World Junior Championships in Vancouver, Canada. Denisenko was the tournament scoring leader, recording four goals and nine points in seven games to help Russia claim the Bronze medal.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours Award Year Ref International World Junior Championship – Media All-Star Team 2019