Alexander Nikishin
Alexander Alexandrovich Nikishin is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League.
Playing career
KHL
Nikishin made his Kontinental Hockey League debut for Spartak Moscow during the 2019–20 season. He was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round of the 2020 NHL entry draft with the 69th overall pick. Nikishin was expected to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes after his contract expires with SKA Saint Petersburg in the spring of 2025.Following three seasons in the KHL with Spartak Moscow, Nikishin was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for five contracted players and the rights to four further players and an additional 50 million rubles on 31 July 2022. With SKA Saint Petersburg, Nikishin's production improved, and he recorded 55 points in 65 games during the 2022–23 season.
Nikishkin was named team captain for the 2023–24 season, and led his team in scoring with 56 points in 67 games, though his season ended with a 4–1 series loss to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in round 2 of the 2024 Gagarin Cup playoffs.
His production was slightly lower in the 2024–25 season, resulting in 46 points in 61 games, good enough for second in team scoring, behind only Ivan Demidov.