Pavel Mintyukov
Pavel Alexeyevich Mintyukov is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. He was drafted 10th overall by the Ducks in the 2022 NHL entry draft.
Playing career
Amateur
As a youth, Mintyukov played in his native Russia, featuring within the junior ranks of HC Dynamo Moscow. Following a single season in the MHL with MHC Dynamo Moscow, Mintyukov was drafted in the 2020 CHL Import Draft in the first round, 52nd overall, by the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. Mintyukov signed to a contract with the Spirit on 7 July 2020. With the 2020–21 season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Mintyukov returned for the following 2021–22 season, and impressed in showing his offensive acumen from the blueline in posting 17 goals and 45 assist for 62 points in 67 regular season games. He was named to the OHL Third All-Star Team.Mintyukov began the 2022–23 season with the Spirit, notching 16 goals and 54 points in just 37 regular season games before he was traded to contending OHL club, the Ottawa 67's, in exchange for nine draft picks on 10 January 2023. He was the first defenceman to be named OHL defenceman of the month, for three months consecutively. He helped lead the 67's to the top of the league, winning the Hamilton Spectator Trophy. He scored 24 goals and 88 points, best among all OHL defencemen, which led to him winning the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league's best defencemen. However, the 67's were eliminated in the second round of the OHL playoffs.