2012 World Championship

Host Cities: Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden
May 4-20, 2012
RESULT: GOLD MEDAL

Game 1: Russia 5 – Latvia 2
Goals: Nikulin (Perezhogin, Malkin), Malkin (Nikulin), Malkin (Popov), Popov (Perezhogin, Kalinin), Kuznetsov (Kulemin) – Indrasis (Galvins, Sprukts), Daugavins (Pujacs, Bartulis)
Shots: Russia 40 – Latvia 26
Saves: Varlamov 24 – Masalskis 35
PIM: Russia 8 – Latvia 6

Game 2: Russia 4 – Norway 2
Goals: Datsyuk (Kalinin, Emelin), Denisov (Medvedev, Kuznetsov), Kulemin (Malkin), Perezhogin (Malkin) – Ask (Holos, Thoresen), Holtet (Skroder, Holos)
Shots: Russia 46 – Norway 21
Saves: Varlamov 19 – Volden 42
PIM: Russia 8 – Norway 10

Game 3: Russia 2 – Germany 0
Goals: Zherdev (Medvedev, Malkin), Tereshchenko (Shirokov, Zherdev)
Shots: Russia 26 – Germany 30
Saves: Varlamov 30 – Kotschnew 24
PIM: Russia 10 – Germany 10

Game 4: Russia 3 – Denmark 1
Goals: Medvedev (Shirokov, Zherdev), Malkin (Perezhogin, Nikulin), Kalinin (Kuznetsov, Shirokov) – Eller
Shots: Russia 52 – Denmark 36
Saves: Barulin 35 – Nielsen 49
PIM: Russia 2 – Denmark 6

Game 5: Russia 7 – Sweden 3
Goals: Popov (Malkin), Malkin (Biryukov, Kuznetsov), Emelin (Datsyuk, Kalinin), Perezhogin (Medvedev), Malkin (Popov), Malkin (Popov), Denisov (Malkin, Popov) – Karlsson (Stalberg, Alfredsson), Zetterberg (Alfredsson, Eriksson), Franzen (Eriksson, Zetterberg)
Shots: Russia 36 – Sweden 46
Saves: Varlamov 43 – Fasth 29
PIM: Russia 37 – Sweden 10

Game 6: Russia 2 – Czech Republic 0
Goals: Perezhogin (Nikulin), Malkin (Popov)
Shots: Russia 23 – Czech Republic 30
Saves: Barulin 30 – Kovar 21
PIM: Russia 8 – Czech Republic 8

Game 7: Russia 4 – Italy 0
Goals: Datsyuk (Kuznetsov), Kuznetsov (Kulemin, Nikitin), Biryukov (Malkin, Perezhogin), Popov (Perezhogin)
Shots: Russia 40 – Italy 29
Saves: Varlamov 21/21, Barulin 8/8 – Tragust 36
PIM: Russia 2 – Italy 4

Quarterfinal: Russia 5 – Norway 2
Goals: Ovechkin (Semin), Popov (Emelin, Ryasenski), Emelin (Datsyuk, Semin), Zherdev (Biryukov, Tereshchenko), Nikulin, Malkin – Skroder (Hansen, Thoresen), Thoresen (Ask, Holos)
Shots: Russia 45 – Norway 21
Saves: Varlamov 19 – Haugen 40
PIM: Russia 2 – Norway 8

Semifinal: Russia 6 – Finland 2
Goals: Malkin (Nikitin, Popov), Malkin (Zherdev, Shirokov), Ovechkin (Denisov, Popov), Malkin (Nikulin), Kokarev (Kulemin), Shirokov (Biryukov, Nikitin) – Niakala (Kontiola, Joensuu), Granlund (Jarvinen, Koivu)
Shots: Russia 23 – Finland 31
Saves: Varlamov 29 – Vehanen 17
PIM: Russia 4 – Finland 8

Final: Russia 6 – Slovakia 2
Goals: Semin (Ovechkin, Datsyuk), Perezhogin (Popov), Tereshchenko (Shirokov, Zherdev), Semin (Datsyuk), Datsyuk (Semin, Zherdev), Malkin (Nikulin, Nikitin) – Zhara (Surovy), Chara (Surovy, Satan)
Shots: Russia 42 – Slovakia 31
Saves: Varlamov 29 – Laco 28/33, Hamerlik 8/9
PIM: Russia 2 – Slovakia 4

Team Stats:

Player	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
D #5 Ilya Nikulin (C)	10	2	5	7	+10	8
D #6 Denis Denisov	10	2	1	3	+5	2
D #7 Dmitri Kalinin	5	1	3	4	+6	25
D #12 Nikita Nikitin	10	0	4	4	+4	4
D #48 Evgeni Biryukov	7	1	3	4	+9	4
D #74 Alexei Emelin	9	2	2	4	+12	4
D #77 Evgeni Ryasenski	7	0	1	1	+3	0
D #82 Evgeni Medvedev	10	1	3	4	+4	4
F #8 Alexander Ovechkin	3	2	2	4	+5	2
F #11 Evgeni Malkin	10	11	8	19	+16	4
F #13 Pavel Datsyuk	10	3	4	7	+7	2
F #15 Alexander Svitov (A)	10	0	0	0	0	4
F #19 Denis Kokarev	10	1	0	1	0	4
F #24 Alexander Popov	10	4	8	12	+15	2
F #27 Alexei Tereshchenko (A)	10	2	1	3	+2	2
F #28 Alexander Semin	3	2	3	5	+4	0
F #37 Alexander Perezhogin	10	4	5	9	+16	4
F #41 Nikolai Kulemin	10	1	3	4	+4	0
F #52 Sergei Shirokov	10	1	5	6	+2	2
F #80 Evgeni Ketov	7	0	0	0	0	0
F #92 Evgeni Kuznetsov	10	2	4	6	+3	4
F #93 Nikolai Zherdev	10	2	4	6	+3	2
Goaltender	GP	W	L	GAA	Save %	SO
G #1 Semyon Varlamov	8	8	0	1.77	93.9	1
G #30 Konstantin Barulin	2	2	0	0.50	98.5	1
G 40 Mikhail Biryukov	1	0	0	0.00	100.0	0

Photo Gallery:

Alexander Popov had a breakthrough tournament, playing on a line with Malkin and Perezhogin

Sergei Shirokov and Evgeni Medvedev celebrate a goal against Denmark

Coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov had a successful debut World Championship

Russian captain Ilya Nikulin defends against Czech captain Tomas Plekanec

Alexander Svitov finally got his chance to be a regular player on the national team

Datsyuk, Ovechkin, and Semin were Russia’s best line in the playoff games

Malkin puts an exclamation mark in the semifinal against Finland, scoring Russia’s 6th goal

Goalie Semyon Varlamov at the end of the gold-medal final

2012 World Hockey Champions

Viktor Kozlov

Team: Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
Number: 25
Position: Center
Height: 6’4”/195 cm
Weight: 232 lbs/108 kg
Shoots: Right
Born: February 14, 1975 in Togliatti, RUS
Drafted: Selected by San Jose Sharks in 1st round (6th overall) of the 1993 Entry Draft

Strengths: Viktor Kozlov is a tall, versatile forward who can easily play in all three forward positions and log many minutes of ice time. Kozlov has great reach and is very skilled with the puck. He is a natural leader on and off the ice.

Weaknesses: In the NHL, Kozlov was a very streaky player. For his high skill level, he has not dominated as could be expected. Also, Kozlov does not always use his size well in physical battles.

Biography: coming soon

Club Stats:

Season	Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
1990-91	Lada-2 Togliatti (USSR-2)	2	2	0	2		0
1991-92	Lada Togliatti	3	0	0	0		0
1992-93	Dynamo Moscow	30	6	5	11		4
1993-94	Dynamo Moscow	42	16	9	25		14
1994-95	Dynamo Moscow	3	1	1	2		2
1994-95	Kansas City (IHL)	4	1	1	2		0
1994-95	San Jose	16	2	0	2	-5	2
1995-96	Kansas City (IHL)	15	4	7	11		12
1995-96	San Jose	62	6	13	19	-15	6
1996-97	San Jose	78	16	25	41	-16	40
1997-98	San Jose/Florida	64	17	13	30	-3	16
1998-99	Florida	65	16	35	51	+13	24
1999-00	Florida	80	17	53	70	+24	16
2000-01	Florida	51	14	23	37	-4	10
2001-02	Florida	50	9	18	27	-16	20
2002-03	Florida	74	22	34	56	-8	18
2003-04	Florida/New Jersey	59	13	20	33	-4	18
2004-05	Lada Togliatti	52	15	22	37		22
2005-06	New Jersey	69	12	13	25	0	+16
2006-07	N.Y. Islanders	81	25	26	51	+12	28
2007-08	Washington	81	16	38	54	+28	18
2008-09	Washington	67	13	28	41	-9	16
2009-10	Salavat   Yulaev Ufa	48	10	18	28	+7	43
2010-11	Salavat Yulaev Ufa	48	17	15	32	+8	14
2011-12	Salavat Yulaev Ufa	36	10	16	26	-2	8
Totals	RHL/KHL Reg. Season	251	75	86	161		107
Totals	RHL/KHL Playoffs	70	17	15	32		10
Totals	NHL Reg. Season	897	198	339	537	-3	248
Totals	NHL Playoffs	35	4	8	12	-6	10

National Team Stats:

Year	Tournament	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1991	European U18	6	3	3	6	2
1992	European U18	6	3	3	6	4
1993	World U20	7	2	1	3	2
1996	World   Championship	8	0	3	3	0
1998	World   Championship	6	4	5	9	0
2000	World   Championship	6	1	3	4	2
2004	World   Cup	4	1	0	1	0
2005	World   Championship	9	0	1	1	0
2006	Olympic   Games	8	2	3	5	2
2010	Olympic Games	4	1	0	1	0
2010	World Championship	9	1	2	3	2
Totals	U18 Level	12	6	6	12	6
Totals	U20 Level	7	2	1	3	2
Totals	Senior Level	54	10	17	27	6

Photo Gallery:

Kozlov began his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks in 1995.

Kozlov set career highs in assists and points while centering Pavel Bure in Florida.

Kozlov is one of the most effective players in the shootout. He scored his most goals as a member of the New York Islanders in 2006-07.

The Washington Capitals’ Russian quartet of Semin, Kozlov, Fedorov, and Ovechkin in 2008.

Kozlov fighting for the puck at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Kozlov attacking the Germans at the 2010 World Championship.

Kozlov captained Salavat Yulaev to winning the KHL’s Gagarin Cup. Here he holds the trophy with Alexander Radulov.

2012 World Junior Championship

Host Cities: Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
December 26, 2011 – January 5, 2012
RESULT: SILVER MEDAL

One year after winning the gold medal in an exhilarating comeback against Canada, Russia came to these world juniors with almost an entirely new roster, with team captain Evgeni Kuznetsov being the only returning player. Coach Valeri Bragin included a record six players from the Canadian junior leagues on the team, including the potential no. 1 NHL draft pick Nail Yakupov. Russia began the tournament on a confident note, giving up only one goal in its first three games and destroying Latvia 14-0. In this game, Kuznetsov came one point short of tying Peter Forsberg’s record for the most points (ten) in a single world junior championship game. Leading Sweden 3-0 in its following game, Russia collapsed in the third period and lost 4-3 in overtime, forcing the team to play a quarterfinal match against the Czechs. The quarterfinal featured the best goaltending battle of the tournament with 17-year old Andrei Vasilevski and Czech goalie Petr Mrazek both putting on world-class performances. After eliminating the Czechs in a tight victory, Russia had to face a relaxed Canada in the semifinal the next day. Russia’s fatigue didn’t factor until the third period, as the team took a commanding 6-1 lead with only 12 minutes left to play and garbage being thrown on the ice by the disappointed Canadian fans. That was when Canada launched one of the most amazing comeback attempts in the history of Russia-Canada confrontations. The team in red scored four goals in the span of five minutes, forcing the excellent Vasilevski to be replaced in net by Andrei Makarov. Canada worked until the final second to try tie the game, but Russia held on to win 6-5. Given that Russia was outshot by more than a 2-1 margin, it is fair to say that goaltending once again saved the team. Facing Sweden for the gold medal, Russia clearly had not physically or mentally recovered from the semifinal. It took the Russian offense 13 minutes to register a single shot on goal. Sweden had nearly total puck control and fired a whopping 58 shots on Makarov, but the scoreless game did not truly open up until the final ten minutes, when both teams launched one dangerous attack after another. Sweden dominated the overtime period and deservedly won the game after a Russian turnover enabled Mika Zibanejad to face Makarov one-on-one and score the game’s only goal. Sweden’s win was its first world junior gold medal in 31 years. It was unfortunate that Russia did not find its usual up-tempo game, but given that most of its players were just 17 and 18 years old, they will have another chance to fight for gold next year on home ice. After the game, Kuznetsov was named the tournament MVP, best forward, and member of the media all-star team.

Game 1: Russia 3 – Switzerland 0
Goals: Khokhlachev, Gusev (Kosov, Grigorenko), Grigorenko (Kucherov, Gusev)
Shots: Russia 30 – Switzerland 40
Saves: Vasilevski 40 – Wof 27
PIM: Russia 8 – Switzerland 6

Game 2: Russia 3 – Slovakia 1
Goals: Ozhiganov (Yakupov, Kosov), Naumenkov (Zemchenko), Kucherov (Grigorenko, Nesterov) – Bubela
Shots: Russia 40 – Slovakia 32
Saves: Makarov 31 – Simboch 37
PIM: Russia 20 – Slovakia 2

Game 3: Russia 14 – Latvia 0
Goals: Grigorenko (Kucherov, Gusev), Sergeyev (Yakupov, Arzamastsev), Kuznetsov (Yakupov, Antipin), Kuznetsov (Gusev, Nesterov), Zheldakov (Kuznetsov, Gusev), Gusev (Kuznetsov, Nesterov), Gusev (Kucherov, Kuznetsov), Kulikov (Kuznetsov, Zemchenko), Khokhlachev (Yakupov, Naumenkov), Kuznetsov (Gusev, Kucherov), Zemchenko (Kulikov, Kuznetsov), Kosov (Apalkov, Barbashev), Khokhlachev (Telegin, Antipin), Nesterov (Gusev, Kuznetsov)
Shots: Russia 50 – Latvia 30
Saves: Vasilevski 30 – Merzlikins 36
PIM: Russia 10 – Latvia 10

Game 4: Russia 3 – Sweden 4 (OT)
Goals: Zemchenko (Yakupov), Kosov (Barbashev, Apalkov), Telegin – Klefbom (Larsson), Rakell (Nemeth, Larsson), Friberg (Brodin, Nordstrom), Nordstrom (Nemeth, Friberg)
Shots: Russia 26 – Sweden 55
Saves: Vasilevski 51 – Gustafsson 23
PIM: Russia 16 – Sweden 4

Quarterfinal: Russia 2 – Czech Republic 1
Goals: Apalkov (Barbashev, Arzamastsev), Zheldakov (Kucherov) – Culek (Hertl, Jaskin)
Shots: Russia 45 – Czech Republic 39
Saves: Vasilevski 38 – Mrazek 43
PIM: Russia 4 – Czech Republic 2

Semifinal: Russia 6 – Canada 5
Goals: Kuznetsov (Yakupov), Nesterov (Zheldakov), Kuznetsov (Khokhlachev, Yakupov), Kuznetsov (Yakupov, Sergeyev), Khokhlachev (Kuznetsov, Yakupov), Kucherov (Grigorenko, Zemchenko) – Connolly (Hamilton, Huberdeau), Hamilton (Sheifele, Strome), Schwartz (Gallagher), Gallagher (Hamilton), Gormley (Gallagher)
Shots: Russia 24 – Canada 56
Saves: Vasilevski 44/49, Makarov 7/7 – Wedgewood 9/13, Visentin 9/11
PIM: Russia 16 – Canada 54

Final: Sweden 1 (OT) – Russia 0
Goals: Zibanejad (Nemeth)
Shots: Sweden 58 – Russia 17
Saves: Gustafsson 17 – Makarov 57
PIM: Sweden 4 – Russia 8

Team Stats:

Player	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
D #3   Artyom Sergeyev	7	1	1	2	+1	12
D #4   Viktor Antipin	7	0	2	2	+5	2
D #6   Mikhail Naumenkov	7	1	1	2	+2	8
D #7   Igor Ozhiganov	7	1	0	1	+3	4
D #12 Grigori Zheldakov	7	2	1	3	+6	4
D #24 Zakhar Arzamastsev	7	0	2	2	+2	2
D #26 Ildar   Isangulov	6	0	0	0	+2	6
D #29   Nikita Nesterov	7	2	3	5	+7	6
F #8   Nikita Gusev	7	3	6	9	+5	0
F #9   Nikita Kucherov	7	2	5	7	+4	2
F #10   Nail Yakupov	7	0	9	9	+4	6
F #14   Daniil Apalkov	7	1	2	3	+2	0
F #15   Pavel Kulikov	7	1	1	2	+3	2
F #16   Ignat Zemchenko	7	2	3	5	+4	2
F #17   Mikhail Grigorenko	6	2	3	5	+2	0
F #18   Yaroslav Kosov	7	2	2	4	+5	0
F #19   Alexander Khokhlachev	7	4	1	5	+5	6
F #22   Sergei Barbashev	7	0	3	3	+2	0
F #23   Ivan Telegin	6	1	1	2	0	12
F #25   Evgeni Kuznetsov (C)	7	6	7	13	+6	4
Goaltender	GP	W	L	GAA	Save %	SO
G #1   Sergei Kostenko	0	0	0	0	0	0
G #20   Andrei Makarov	3	1	1	0.88	97.9	0
G #30   Andrei Vasilevski	5	4	1	2.01	95.3	2

Photo Gallery:

Mikhail Grigorenko fires a shot

Captain Kuznetsov scored two hat-tricks and was named the tournament MVP

Nail Yakupov attacks the Czechs

Vasilevski’s heroics carried Russia to the final

Russia celebrates its semifinal victory in another Russia-Canada classic

Sweden’s golden goal on Makarov

Semyon Varlamov

Team: Colorado Avalanche
Number: 1
Position: Goaltender
Height: 6’2”/189 cm
Weight: 209 lbs/95 kg
Catches: Left
Born: April 27, 1988 in Samara, RUS
Drafted: Selected by the Washington Capitals in the 1^st round (23^rd overall) of the 2006 Entry Draft

Strengths: Varlamov is a prototypical butterfly-style goaltender with excellent reflexes, flexibility, and size. Varlamov has a very good save percentage early into his NHL career and is developing into a long-term no. 1 goaltender.

Weaknesses: Injuries and inconsistency had prevented Varlamov from playing a full NHL season until his fourth season. Varlamov’s puckhandling skills are his main weakness.

Biography:  Semyon Varlamov was born in Samara (then still known as Kuybyshev) – an industrial city on the Volga. After moving to Yaroslavl, a city further up the Volga, Varlamov developed into the best goalie prospect in his age group with the Lokomotiv hockey organization. Playing his way through the farm league, Varlamov debuted in the Superleague at the age of 18 and quickly became Lokomotiv’s number one goaltender. In 2007, Varlamov was Russia’s goaltender at the World Junior Championship and helped the team to a silver medal finish. Even before then, he was already drafted by the Washington Capitals and had good NHL potential. After two successful seasons in the Superleague, Semyon came to North America to play for Washington’s farm club. Throughout the regular season of 2008-09, he was called up to the big club a few times and proved to be effective, winning 4 of 6 games. The average play of Capitals starting goalie Jose Theodore prompted the club to entrust Varlamov with the goaltending duties for the playoffs. Varlamov was excellent, registering two shutouts in the first round against the Rangers. The Capitals were ultimately eliminated by the Penguins in game 7 of the second round, but Varlamov had left his mark as the team’s prospective no. 1 starter. Semyon continued collecting victories in the next season, but an injury two months in forced him to undergo a conditioning stint with the farm club. Varlamov regained his position towards the end of the season, but the Capitals only lasted one playoff round. In 2010, Varlamov was named to Russia’s Olympic team, but did not see any ice time. Semyon’s chance to shine for the national team came at the 2010 World Championship, where he went undefeated until Russia’s tight loss to the Czechs in the final. Semyon spent his third NHL season mostly as the backup to fellow young goalie Michal Neuvirth. However, Varlamov was selected to start in the 2011 Winter Classic outdoor game against the Penguins. In Washington, Varlamov was one of three Russians, along with Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin, to have a strong fan following. He even starred in a humorous ad with Ovechkin. In the 2011 off-season, the Capitals decided to go in a different direction with their goaltending and traded Varlamov to the Colorado Avalanche. In Colorado, Varlamov is starting in a lot more games than he did in Washington, but also has a more fragile and younger team in front of him.

Club Stats:

Season	Team	GP	W	L	T	OL	GAA	Save %	SO
2004-05	Lokomotiv-2 Yaroslavl (RHL-3)	8					2.43		1
2005-06	Lokomotiv-2 Yaroslavl (RHL-3)	33					2.02		8
2006-07	Lokomotiv-2 Yaroslavl (RHL-3)	2					1.50		0
2006-07	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl	33					2.17		3
2007-08	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl	44					2.45		3
2008-09	Hershey (AHL)	27	19	7	1		2.40	92.0	2
2008-09	Washington	6	4	0		1	2.37	91.8	0
2009-10	Hershey (AHL)	3	3	0	0		1.95	93.3	0
2009-10	Washington	26	15	4		6	2.55	90.9	2
2010-11	Hershey (AHL)	3	2	1	0		3.36	85.5	0
2010-11	Washington	27	11	9		5	2.23	92.4	2
2011-12	Colorado	53	26	24		3	2.59	91.3	4
Totals	RSL Reg. Season	77					2.33		6
Totals	RSL Playoffs	22					2.00		5
Totals	NHL Reg. Season	112	56	37		15	2.48	91.5	8
Totals	NHL Playoffs	19	10	9			2.49	91.5	2

National Team Stats:

Year	Tournament	GP	W	L	T	GAA	SO
2005	World U18	2	2	0	0	3.52	0
2005	World   U18	2	2	0	0	2.50	0
2006	World U20	1	1	0	0	1.00	0
2007	World   U20	6	5	1	0	1.51	2
2010	Olympic   Games	0	0	0	0	0	0
2010	World   Championship	5	4	1	0	1.41	1
Totals	U18   Level	4	4	0	0		0
Totals	U20   Level	7	6	1	0	1.44	2
Totals	Senior   Level	5	4	1	0	1.41	1

Photo Gallery:

Varlamov made to the Superleague finals with Lokomotiv

Varlamov made an immediate impact with the Washington Capitals

Varlamov at the 2010 World Championship

In 2011, Varlamov’s Capitals beat the Penguins in the outdoor Winter Classic

Varlamov is now a member of the Colorado Avalanche

Nikolai Kulemin

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Number: 41
Position: Left Wing
Height: 6’1”/186 cm
Weight: 225 lbs/102 kg
Shoots: Left
Born: July 14, 1986 in Magnitogorsk, RUS
Drafted: Selected by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2nd round (44th overall) of the 2006 Entry Draft

Strengths: Kulemin is an effective defensively-responsible forward with plenty of speed, grit, and a heavy shot. He rarely gives up fighting for the puck, fits in well on any line he is assigned to, and is reliable in any situation in the game.

Weaknesses: While Kulemin has proved that he is a 30-goal scorer, he sometimes falls into long dry spells throughout the season. He doesn’t seem to take as many shots on net as he is capable of.

Biography: Like his friend and fellow NHL star Evgeni Malkin, Nikolai Kulemin was born and raised in the steelmaking city of Magnitogorsk in the southern Ural Mountains. As a teenager, Kulemin developed with the local Metallurg hockey school and made it to the professional league at the age of 17. In 2004, Kulemin was a member of Russia’s team that won gold at the under-18 championship. In his third professional season, Kulemin was transferred to Magnitogorsk’s main club, which played in the Russian Superleague. The 2006-07 season was a breakthrough year for Nikolai. Not only did his Metallurg win the Superleague championship, but he was also named the league MVP after tallying 27 goals in 54 games. After one more productive season in Russia, Kulemin moved on to play in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team that had drafted him in 2006. Nikolai became one of the few players in Leafs history to score in his first NHL game – it was the gamewinning goal against the Detroit Red Wings. Nikolai’s adjustment to North American hockey and life was eased by the presence of three other Russian speakers on the Maple Leafs – Nikolai Antropov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, and Mikhail Grabovski. Towards the end of the 2009-10 season, Kulemin was promoted to his team’s first line with sniper Phil Kessel and centre Tyler Bozak. In 2010-11, Kulemin emerged as the Leafs’ hardest working player and one of the league’s best two-way forwards. His line with Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur was the team’s most consistent and also arguably the NHL’s most productive second line. Nikolai also broke the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career. In just his fourth NHL season, Nikolai is already the longest-tenured player in Toronto. Kulemin has also played for Russia in four world championship tournaments and has won silver and bronze medals.

Club Stats:

Season	Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
2003-04	Metallurg-2 Magnitogorsk (RHL-3)	43	8	18	26		91
2004-05	Metallurg-2 Magnitogorsk (RHL-3)	43	9	13	22		44
2005-06	Metallurg-2 Magnitogorsk (RHL-3)	4	3	1	3		6
2005-06	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	31	5	7	12		8
2006-07	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	54	27	12	39		42
2007-08	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	57	21	12	33		63
2008-09	Toronto (AHL)	5	0	0	0		0
2008-09	Toronto	73	15	16	31	-8	18
2009-10	Toronto	78	16	20	36	0	16
2010-11	Toronto	82	30	27	57	+7	26
2011-12	Toronto	70	7	21	28	+2	6
Totals	RHL Reg. Season	142	53	31	84		113
Totals	RHL Playoffs	37	14	7	21		45
Totals	NHL Reg. Season	303	68	84	152	+1	66
Totals	NHL Playoffs	0	0	0	0	0	0

National Team Stats:

Year	Tournament	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2004	World U18	6	0	2	2	2
2006	World U20	4	4	2	6	25
2006	World Championship	7	1	3	4	2
2007	World Championship	9	2	1	3	0
2010	World Championship	9	3	2	5	25
2011	World Championship	9	1	0	1	2
Totals	U18 Level	6	0	2	2	2
Totals	U20 Level	4	4	2	6	25
Totals	Senior Level	34	7	6	13	29

Photo Gallery:

Nikolai played two great seasons for his hometown Metallurg

At the 2006 World Junior Championship

Kulemin celebrates a goal against Canada at the 2010 Worlds

Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski are frequent collaborators on Toronto goals

The longest-serving current Maple Leaf