Grigori Dronov

Grigori Dronov (; born 10 January 1998) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Playing career Dronov originally played as a youth within Metallurg Magnitogorsk junior program before making his professional debut with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) during the 2016–17 season.

In his sixth season in the KHL with Magnitogorsk, after being limited to just 6 regular season games, Dronov broke out in the playoffs, placing second in league scoring amongst defenseman with 14 points to help Metallurg advance to the Gagarin Cup finals.

As a free agent, Dronov opted to pursue his NHL ambitions. After originally reporting to accept an invitation to the Arizona Coyotes training camp, Dronov later agreed to a tryout with the Carolina Hurricanes, appearing in a prospects showcase before participating in the Hurricanes' training camp. Following positive reviews through training camp and pre-season, Dronov was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes and was immediately assigned to join AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, on 4 October 2022. However, before his contract was officially lodged with the NHL, the Hurricanes announced they had mutually agreed to part ways on 6 October 2022.

Dronov returned to Russia and resumed his tenure with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, signing a one-year contract for the remainder of the 2022–23 season on 15 October 2022.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2015–16 Stalnye Lisy MHL 36 4 8 12 34 8 0 0 0 10 2016–17 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 38 0 2 2 12 14 0 1 1 2 2016–17 Stalnye Lisy MHL 4 1 0 1 4 — — — — — 2017–18 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 25 2 5 7 4 9 0 1 1 6 2018–19 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 16 2 3 5 18 4 0 1 1 2 2018–19 Stalnye Lisy MHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2019–20 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 62 1 9 10 21 5 0 0 0 0 2020–21 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 42 2 12 14 10 12 1 3 4 4 2021–22 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 6 0 1 1 0 24 5 9 14 6 2022–23 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 41 8 11 19 24 11 4 2 6 10 2023–24 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 28 3 5 8 18 — — — — — 2023–24 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 23 0 6 6 8 14 1 2 3 4 2024–25 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 60 14 17 31 22 20 5 7 12 6 2025–26 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 57 14 26 40 64 — — — — — KHL totals 398 46 97 143 201 113 16 26 42 40

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2017 Russia WJC 7 0 1 1 2 2021 ROC WC 5th 5 0 0 0 0 Junior totals 7 0 1 1 2 Senior totals 5 0 0 0 0