Nikita Nesterov

Nikita Nesterov

Nesterov with the Tampa Bay Lightning during a pre-game warmup 11 April 2015.
Born (1993-03-28) 28 March 1993
Chelyabinsk, Russia
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 183 lb (83 kg; 13 st 1 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Tampa Bay Lightning
Traktor Chelyabinsk
NHL Draft 148th overall, 2011
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 2011–present

Nikita Nesterov (Russian: Никита Нестеров; born 28 March 1993) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Junior

Nesterov was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round, 148th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He was also drafted by the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)'s Traktor Chelyabinsk, who selected him in the first round, 22nd overall, of the 2010 KHL Junior Draft.[1] He opted to then play two seasons with Chelyabinsk in the KHL.

On April 30, 2013, Nesterov was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the NHL's Lightning.[2]

Professional

On December 31, 2014, the Tampa Bay recalled Nesterov from the Syracuse Crunch, the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He had played in 32 games with the Crunch during the 2014–15 season, recording three goals and 14 points with a +4 plus-minus rating and 26 penalty minutes. Prior to his call-up, Nesterov has played in 86 career AHL games, all with the Crunch over the past two seasons. He has seven goals and 30 points with 65 penalty minutes.[3]

On December 31, 2014, the same day of his call-up, Nesterov made his NHL debut in a 5–1 Lightning victory over the Buffalo Sabres. He was a +1 and logged just over 15 minutes of ice time during the game.[4] On April 16, 2015, Nesterov played in his first career NHL Playoff Game recording his first playoff goal and point.[5] On April 18, 2015, Nestrov recorded his first NHL Playoff assist in a Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.[6]

On October 16, 2015, the National Hockey League announced that it was suspending Nesterov for two games without pay for boarding Dallas Stars forward Curtis McKenzie. Nesterov was given a five-minute penalty and a game misconduct for checking McKenzie from behind for the incident that led to his suspension.[7] As a result of the suspension, Nesterov will forfeit $7,983.88 in pay.

On September 26, 2016, the Lightning announced the re-signing of Nesterov to a one-year contract worth $725,000. Nesterov appeared in 57 games this past season, recording three goals and nine points. He set career highs for games played, goals, assists, and points. He also appeared in nine 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff games, recording one assist and nine penalty minutes. Nesterov has appeared in 84 career NHL games over two seasons with the Lightning, recording five goals and 16 points. Nesterov has also appeared in 26 playoff games, recording a goal and seven points.[8]

International Play

On July 18, 2016, Nesterov was added to team Russia's 2016 World Cup of Hockey roster as a replacement for Slava Voynov.[9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 10 0 1 1 4 — — — — —
2012–13 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 35 0 1 1 14 19 0 4 4 6
2013–14 Syracuse Crunch AHL 54 4 12 16 39 — — — — —
2014–15 Syracuse Crunch AHL 32 3 11 14 26 — — — — —
2014–15 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 27 2 5 7 16 17 1 5 6 8
2015–16 Syracuse Crunch AHL 10 1 3 4 4 — — — — —
2015–16 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 57 3 6 9 41 9 0 1 1 9
NHL totals 84 5 11 16 57 26 1 6 7 17
Medal record
Representing  Russia
Men's ice hockey
World Junior Championships
2012 Canada
2013 Ufa

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2010 Russia WJC18 4th 7 2 0 2 29
2011 Russia WJC18 3rd, bronze medalist(s) 7 2 2 4 29
2012 Russia WJC 2nd, silver medalist(s) 7 2 3 5 6
2013 Russia WJC 3rd, bronze medalist(s) 7 0 4 4 2
2016 Russia WCH 4th 1 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 28 6 9 15 66
Senior totals 1 0 0 0 0

References

  1. ↑ "2010 KHL Junior Draft". EliteProspects.com. 2012-03-04. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  2. ↑ "Lightning agree to terms with draft pick Nesterov". Tampa Bay Lightning. 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  3. ↑ Tampa Bay, Lightning (December 31, 2014). "Lightning recall defensemen Nikita Nestrov". Tampa Bay Lightning. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. ↑ Burns, Bryan (December 31, 2014). "Bolts extend win streak to four, blast Buffalo 5-1". Lightning Beat Writer. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  5. ↑ Burns, Bryan (April 16, 2015). "Bolts fall 3-2 in playoff opener to Detroit". Tampa Bay Lightning Beat Writer. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  6. ↑ Burns, Bryan (April 18, 2015). "Lightning pound Red Wings 5-1 to even series". Tampa Bay Lightning Beat Writer. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  7. ↑ The, Canadian Press (October 16, 2015). "Lightning defenceman Nikita Nesterov suspended 2 games for boarding Stars' McKenzie". NHL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  8. ↑ Lightning, Mike (September 26, 2016). "Lightning Re-Sign Nesterov To One-Year Contract". Tampa Bay. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  9. ↑ Smith, Joe (July 18, 2016). "Nikita Nesterov added to Team Russia for World Cup". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
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