Yan Kuznetsov

Yan Kuznetsov (Russian: Ян Кузнецов; born 9 March 2002) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career As a youth, Kuznetsov played in his native Russia, within CSKA Moscow under-16 and under-18 programs before moving to North America to continue his development through the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Sioux Falls Stampede and at the collegiate level.

Following his freshman season with University of Connecticut in the Hockey East, Kuznetsov was selected in the second round, 50th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2020 NHL entry draft.

After his sophomore season, Kuznetsov concluded his collegiate career with the Huskies as he was signed by the Flames to a three-year, entry-level contract on 30 March 2021. He joined the Flames' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Stockton Heat to conclude the season.

Kuznetsov split the 2021–22 season between the Heat and the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The Sea Dogs had previously selected Kuznetsov during the 2021 CHL Import Draft.

He returned to the AHL for the 2022–23 season, skating in 63 games for the Flames' new affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers.

On 5 January 2024, the Flames recalled Kuznetsov. He made his NHL debut on 9 January in a 6-3 win against the Ottawa Senators. Kuznetsov was returned to the Wranglers on 14 January following his lone appearance.

On 12 August 2024, the Flames re-signed Kuznetsov to a one-year, $775,000 contract extension.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2017–18 CSKA Moscow U18 Russia U18 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2018–19 Sioux Falls Stampede USHL 34 0 4 4 12 — — — — — 2019–20 University of Connecticut HE 34 2 9 11 16 — — — — — 2020–21 University of Connecticut HE 16 1 5 6 4 — — — — — 2020–21 Stockton Heat AHL 6 0 0 0 4 — — — — — 2021–22 Stockton Heat AHL 12 0 0 0 13 — — — — — 2021–22 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 25 2 11 13 14 4 0 2 2 0 2022–23 Calgary Wranglers AHL 63 5 14 19 30 5 0 2 2 0 2023–24 Calgary Wranglers AHL 63 5 8 13 27 6 1 0 1 0 2023–24 Calgary Flames NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2024–25 Calgary Wranglers AHL 72 6 15 21 38 2 0 0 0 2 2025–26 Calgary Wranglers AHL 10 2 0 2 2 — — — — — 2025–26 Calgary Flames NHL 57 4 8 12 28 — — — — — NHL totals 58 4 8 12 28 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2018 Russia U17 6 0 1 1 14 2021 Russia WJC 4th 7 0 0 0 2 Junior totals 13 0 1 1 16