{{Short description|Russian ice hockey player (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | image = Valentin Zykov (9269791747).jpg | caption =Zykov with the Los Angeles Kings in 2013 | image_size = 230px | team = SKA Saint Petersburg | league = KHL | prospect_team = | prospect_league = | position = Winger | former_teams = Carolina Hurricanes<br>Edmonton Oilers<br>Vegas Golden Knights<br>Modo Hockey | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lb = 224 | shoots = Right | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1995|05|15}} | birth_place = Saint Petersburg, Russia | draft = 37th overall | draft_team = Los Angeles Kings | draft_year = 2013 | career_start = 2015 | career_end = }} '''Valentin Valentinovich Zykov''' ({{langx|ru|Валентин Валентинович Зыков}}; born 15 May 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing for SKA Saint Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (37th overall) of the 2013 NHL entry draft.
Zykov was a top prospect who was ranked number eight on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final ranking of North American skaters.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm?cat=1&sort=finalRank&year=2013 | title = 2013 Draft Prospects - North American Skaters | work = National Hockey League | date = 2013-06-25 | access-date = 2013-06-25}}</ref> He was expected to be a first round selection in the 2013 NHL entry draft,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1623315-nhl-draft-lottery-2013-teams-that-will-strengthen-playoff-chances-in-newark | title = NHL Draft Lottery 2013: Teams That Will Strengthen Playoff Chances in Newark | website = Bleacher Report | date = 2013-06-21 | access-date = 2013-06-21| url-status = live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226090616/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1623315-nhl-draft-lottery-2013-teams-that-will-strengthen-playoff-chances-in-newark|archive-date=26 December 2014}}</ref> but went in the second round, 37th overall, to the Los Angeles Kings.
==Playing career== As a 16-year-old, Zykov played in the MHL with CSKA-Krasnaja Armija Moskva, the junior affiliate for HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://futureconsiderations.ca/zykov-having-breakout-season/ | title = Zykov having breakout season | work = FutureConsiderations.ca | date = 2014-12-03 | access-date = 2014-12-03 | archive-date = 5 June 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130605104559/http://futureconsiderations.ca/zykov-having-breakout-season/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> Zykov was drafted in the second round (76th overall) of the 2012 CHL Import Draft by Baie-Comeau Drakkar,<ref>{{cite news| url = http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/05/08/valentin-zykov-2013-nhl-draft-player-profile-28/ | title = Valentin Zykov: 2013 NHL Draft Player Profile #28 | newspaper = Last Word On Sports | date = 2013-05-08 | access-date = 2013-05-08}}</ref> and joined the QMJHL team for the 2012–13 season. As a 17-year-old, Zykov was added to Team Russia's roster for the 2012 Subway Super Series,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://flyersfaithful.com/2013/04/23/2013-draft-eligible-will-the-flyers-finally-draft-a-russian-born-player-in-round-one/ | title = Flyers Faithful: 2013 Draft Eligibles: Valentin Zykov, a Russian-born player for the Flyers in Round One? | work = Flyersfaithful.com | date = 2013-04-23 | access-date = 2013-06-26 | archive-date = 27 December 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131227074358/http://flyersfaithful.com/2013/04/23/2013-draft-eligible-will-the-flyers-finally-draft-a-russian-born-player-in-round-one/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> and in his first QMJHL season Zykov racked up 40 goals and 35 assists for 75 points in 67 games played<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.timescolonist.com/cmlink/gmg/canadian-press/sports/halifax-mooseheads-not-messing-with-success-in-qmjhl-final-1.144763/ | title = Halifax Mooseheads not messing with success in QMJHL final | newspaper = Times Colonist | date = 2014-04-05 | access-date = 2014-04-05 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> to win the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the QMJHL's Offensive Rookie of the Year.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://theqmjhl.ca/article/valentin-zykov-is-awarded-the-michel-bergeron | title = Valentin Zykov is awarded the Michel Bergeron Trophy | work = Quebec Major Junior Hockey League | date = 2014-04-01 | access-date = 2014-04-01}}</ref> He was further rewarded for his outstanding played by being named the QMJHL Rookie of the Year.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://prospects.dobbersports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4795:valentin-zykov&catid=917:undrafted-under-20&Itemid=180 | title = Valentin Zykov: Undrafted - Under 20 QMJHL rookie of the year | website = dobbersports.com | date = 2014-04-02 | access-date = 2014-04-02 | archive-date = 11 February 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130211022753/http://prospects.dobbersports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4795:valentin-zykov&catid=917:undrafted-under-20&Itemid=180 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
During the 2014–15 QMJHL season, Zykov was traded from Baie-Comeau to the Gatineau Olympiques in exchange for Václav Karabáček.<ref>{{cite web | first=Jonathan | last=Briggins | title =QMJHL trades see Remparts add scoring, goaltending | website = Sportsnet.ca | date =2014-12-22 | url =http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/qmjhl-trades-see-remparts-add-scoring-goaltending/ | access-date = 2015-01-17}}</ref>
After attending the Kings training camp, Zykov was assigned to begin his rookie professional season in 2015–16 with the Ontario Reign of the AHL. Zykov compiled 7 goals and 14 points in 43 games with the Reign before he was traded by the Kings along with a conditional 5th round pick (if Los Angeles advanced to the 2016 Western Conference Final, failed) to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Kris Versteeg on 28 February 2016.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/14867007/los-angeles-kings-acquire-kris-versteeg-carolina-hurricanes-valentin-zykov-draft-pick | title = Hurricanes forward Kris Versteeg joining Kings, traded for a 7th time | work = ESPN | date = 2016-02-28 | access-date = 2016-02-28}}</ref>
Zykov played his first NHL game and recorded his first NHL goal on 9 March 2017, in a game against the New York Rangers.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wells|first1=Rosie|title=Hurricanes Reassign Zykov to Charlotte|url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-reassign-valentin-zykov-to-charlotte/c-296877552|website=NHL.com|access-date=19 March 2018|date=12 March 2018}}</ref>
Zykov was selected for the 2018 AHL All-Star Game after leading the league in goals scored and beating his own career high in goals.<ref name = "All-Star">{{cite web|last1=Niedzielski|first1=Nicholas|title=VALENTIN ZYKOV SELECTED TO 2018 AHL ALL-STAR CLASSIC|url=http://gocheckers.com/articles/features/valentin-zykov-selected-to-2018-ahl-all-star-classic|website=gocheckers.com|access-date=19 March 2018|date=4 January 2018}}</ref> After recording his 30th goal of the season in a game against the Hartford Wolf Pack, Zykov became the first Russian-born skater to score 30 goals or more in an AHL season since Artem Anisimov did so during the 2008–09 season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Niedzielski|first1=Nicholas|title=VALENTIN ZYKOV HITS 30-GOAL MARK IN COMEBACK WIN OVER HARTFORD|url=http://gocheckers.com/game-recaps/valentin-zykov-hits-30-goals-in-win-over-hartford|website=gocheckers.com|access-date=19 March 2018|date=9 March 2018}}</ref> He was recalled to the NHL for the second time during the 2017–18 season on 19 March 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Branecky|first1=Paul|title=HURRICANES RECALL VALENTIN ZYKOV, CHECKERS ASSIGN CALLUM BOOTH|url=http://gocheckers.com/game-recaps/hurricanes-recall-valentin-zykov|website=gocheckers.com|access-date=19 March 2018|date=19 March 2018|archive-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105950/http://gocheckers.com/game-recaps/hurricanes-recall-valentin-zykov|url-status=dead}}</ref> Zykov was voted by fans as the Checkers' best forward of the 2017–18 season following the team's elimination from the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Niedzielski|first1=Nicholas|title=Checkers 2017-18 Award Winners Announced|url=http://gocheckers.com/articles/features/checkers-2017-18-award-winners-announced|website=gocheckers.com|access-date=19 May 2018|date=17 May 2018}}</ref> At season's end, Zykov led the league in goals with 33, and finished second in team scoring with 54 points.
In the following 2018–19 season, Zykov made the Hurricanes opening season roster. As the club's reserve forward, Zykov was a frequent healthy scratch, and was reassigned on a conditioning loan back to the Checkers on 13 November 2018. He later returned to the Hurricanes and after 13 games having collected 3 assists, Zykov was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes and was claimed by the Edmonton Oilers on 30 November 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCurdy |first1=Bruce |title=Looking to add offence on the flanks, Edmonton Oilers claim AHL goal-scoring champ Valentin Zykov off waivers |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/looking-to-add-scoring-on-the-flanks-edmonton-oilers-claim-valentin-zykov-off-waivers |website=Edmonton Journal |access-date=30 November 2018|date=30 November 2018 }}</ref> Zykov appeared in just 5 games with the Oilers over the following month before he was returned to waivers and claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights on 29 December 2018.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/golden-knights-claim-valentin-zykov-off-waivers-oilers/ | title = Golden Knights claim Valentin Zykov off waivers from Oilers | work = Sportsnet.ca | date = 29 December 2018 | access-date = 29 December 2018}}</ref>
As a free agent from the Golden Knights, leading into the pandemic delayed {{nhly|2020}} season, Zykov remained un-signed. He later left North America and joined Swedish second tier club, Modo Hockey of the HockeyAllsvenskan on 12 February 2021.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.modohockey.se/artikel/gs2sakl2i-4ij6i1/valentin-zykov-till-modo-hockey | title = Valentin Zykov to Modo Hockey | publisher = Modo Hockey | date = 12 February 2021 | accessdate = 12 February 2021 | language = Swedish}}</ref> In his short tenure with Modo, he collected 2 goals and 4 points in 7 games.
As a free agent leading into the {{nhly|2021}} season, Zykov returned to his native Russia and agreed to a contract with contending KHL outfit, SKA Saint Petersburg, on 12 October 2021.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ska.ru/news/view/valientin-zykov-v-ska/ | title = Valentin Zykov joins SKA! | publisher = SKA Saint Petersburg | language = Russian | date = 12 October 2021 | accessdate = 12 October 2021}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2011–12 | Krasnaya Armiya Moskva | MHL | 52 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 105 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2012–13 | Baie–Comeau Drakkar | QMJHL | 67 | 40 | 35 | 75 | 60 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 18 |- | 2013–14 | Baie–Comeau Drakkar | QMJHL | 53 | 23 | 40 | 63 | 70 | 22 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 14 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014–15 | Baie–Comeau Drakkar | QMJHL | 16 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2014–15 | Gatineau Olympiques | QMJHL | 26 | 15 | 13 | 28 | 38 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 20 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2015–16 | Ontario Reign | AHL | 43 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2015–16 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2016–17 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 66 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 57 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |- | 2016–17 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2017–18 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 63 | 33 | 21 | 54 | 45 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 8 |- | 2017–18 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 10 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018–19 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 13 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2018–19 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018–19 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2018–19 | Vegas Golden Knights | NHL | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | Vegas Golden Knights | NHL | 15 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2019–20 | Chicago Wolves | AHL | 29 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2020–21 | Modo Hockey | Allsv | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — |- | 2021–22 | SKA Saint Petersburg | KHL | 21 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2022–23 | SKA Saint Petersburg | KHL | 54 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |- | 2023–24 | SKA Saint Petersburg | KHL | 52 | 13 | 15 | 28 | 47 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2024–25 | SKA Saint Petersburg | KHL | 56 | 15 | 14 | 29 | 55 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | NHL totals ! 55 ! 7 ! 10 ! 17 ! 10 ! — ! — ! — ! — ! — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" | KHL totals ! 183 ! 39 ! 46 ! 85 ! 132 ! 34 ! 4 ! 4 ! 8 ! 22 |}
===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2012 | Russia | U17 | {{gold1}} | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2014 | Russia | WJC | {{bronze3}} | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4" | Junior totals ! 12 ! 0 ! 0 ! 0 ! 2 |}
==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | colspan="3" | QMJHL |- | All-Rookie Team | 2013 | |- | Rookie of the Year | 2013 | <ref>{{cite web| url = http://theqmjhl.ca/article/the-golden-puck-awards-an-unforgettable-evening | title = The Golden Puck Awards: an unforgettable evening! | work = Quebec Major Junior Hockey League | date = 2013-04-01 | access-date = 2013-04-01}}</ref> |- | Michel Bergeron Trophy | 2013 | |- | CHL Top Prospects Game | 2013 | |- | CHL Rookie of the Year | 2013 | |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | colspan="3" | AHL |- | Willie Marshall Award | 2018 |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theahl.com/terry-zykov-claim-ahl-scoring-titles |title=TERRY, ZYKOV CLAIM AHL SCORING TITLES |publisher=American Hockey League |date=15 April 2018 |access-date=16 April 2018 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618004307/https://theahl.com/terry-zykov-claim-ahl-scoring-titles |url-status=dead }}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zykov, Valentin}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Baie-Comeau Drakkar players Category:Carolina Hurricanes players Category:Charlotte Checkers (2010–) players Category:Chicago Wolves players Category:Edmonton Oilers players Category:Gatineau Olympiques players Category:Los Angeles Kings draft picks Category:Modo Hockey players Category:Ontario Reign (AHL) players Category:Russian ice hockey left wingers Category:SKA Saint Petersburg players Category:Ice hockey people from Saint Petersburg Category:Vegas Golden Knights players