Vasiliy Ponomarev

Vasili Pavlovich Ponomaryov (alternately spelled Vasily Ponomarev, ; born 13 March 2002) is a Russian professional ice hockey player for Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Playing career Ponomaryov was drafted ninth overall by the Shawinigan Cataractes in the 2019 CHL Import Draft. During his rookie season in 2019–20, he recorded 18 goals and 31 assists in 57 games for the Cataractes. During the 2020–21 season, he recorded 10 goals and 28 assists in 33 games.

Ponomaryov was drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL entry draft. On 13 October 2020, the Hurricanes signed Ponomaryov to a three-year, entry-level contract.

On 9 June 2021, the Hurricanes loaned Ponomarev to the HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL. He made his professional debut for Spartak during the 2021–22 season.

In April 2022, he was assigned to the Chicago Wolves, and would go on to win the 2022 Calder Cup.

On 5 January 2024, Ponomaryov made his NHL debut for the Hurricanes, recording one goal and one assist in their 6–2 win over the Washington Capitals.

On 7 March 2024, Ponomaryov was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Michael Bunting, Ville Koivunen, prospect Cruz Lucius, and two conditional 2024 draft picks, in exchange for Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith.

On 11 June 2025, Ponomarev as a pending restricted free agent signed a three-year contract to return to the KHL with Avangard Omsk.

International play Ponomaryov represented Russia at the 2017 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he led the team in scoring with four goals and four assists in six games and won a gold medal. In 2019 he represented Russia at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he recorded two goals and three assists in five games and won a gold medal and the 2019 World Junior A Challenge where he recorded one goal and three assists in six games and won a gold medal.

He represented Russia at the 2021 World Junior Championships where he led the team in scoring with three goals in seven games. He also played at the 2022 World Juniors, where he played two games before the tournament was cancelled.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2018–19 MHC Krylya Sovetov MHL 37 9 20 29 12 — — — — — 2019–20 Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL 57 18 31 49 15 — — — — — 2020–21 Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL 33 10 28 38 16 5 3 1 4 2 2021–22 Spartak Moscow KHL 14 1 1 2 0 — — — — — 2021–22 Khimik Voskresensk VHL 21 7 6 13 8 6 1 1 2 2 2021–22 MHK Spartak MHL 4 2 7 9 4 3 1 2 3 0 2021–22 Chicago Wolves AHL 11 3 7 10 4 18 1 5 6 4 2022–23 Chicago Wolves AHL 64 24 22 46 32 — — — — — 2023–24 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2023–24 Chicago Wolves AHL 39 8 21 29 14 — — — — — 2023–24 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 2 1 1 2 0 — — — — — 2023–24 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 4 1 0 1 2 — — — — — 2024–25 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 55 15 26 41 44 2 0 0 0 0 2024–25 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 7 0 0 0 2 — — — — — KHL totals 14 1 1 2 0 — — — — — NHL totals 9 1 1 2 2 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2017 Russia U17 5th 6 4 4 8 2 2019 Russia HG18 5 2 3 5 2 2019 Russia WJAC 6 1 3 4 0 2021 Russia WJC 4th 7 3 0 3 0 Junior totals 24 10 10 20 4

Awards and honours Award Year RefAHL Calder Cup champion 2022