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Kirill KoltzovHockey player
Country:
 Russia |
Content:
- Biography of Kirill Koltsov
- NHL Draft and AHL Career
- Success with Salavat Yulaev
- Stints with SKA and Torpedo
- International Career
- Retirement
Biography of Kirill Koltsov
Early CareerKirill Koltsov is a Russian ice hockey defenseman who began his career in 2000 with the Omsk Avangard team. Prior to that, he played for the farm club "Yastreby". In the following year, he was named the best rookie of the Russian Championship.
NHL Draft and AHL Career
In 2002, Koltsov was selected in the 2nd round, 49th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL draft. He then moved to North America in 2003, where he played for the Manitoba Moose in the AHL. However, in the middle of the next season, he returned to Omsk and became one of the team's main defensemen.
Success with Salavat Yulaev
In spring 2007, there were reports of Koltsov's transfer to Mytishchi's Khimik team, but he unexpectedly signed a contract with Ufa's Salavat Yulaev. In the same season, he became a champion of Russia with Salavat Yulaev, and repeated this success in the 2010/11 season, becoming a two-time recipient of the "Golden Helmet" award.
Stints with SKA and Torpedo
On July 17, 2011, Koltsov signed a three-year contract with the St. Petersburg SKA team. However, on July 12, 2012, it was announced that he would continue his career with Salavat Yulaev. On December 1, 2015, his contract with Salavat Yulaev was terminated, and on December 21, 2015, he signed a one-year contract with Nizhny Novgorod's Torpedo team.
International Career
Koltsov represented the Russian national team in the under-20 World Junior Championship in 2001, where he was named the best defenseman and included in the tournament's All-Star Team. He also won a gold medal at the 2003 World Junior Championship. At the senior level, he participated in the 2006 World Championship in Latvia and was also called up for Euro Hockey Tour matches in the 2005/06, 2006/07, and 2009/10 seasons.
Retirement
On August 1, 2020, Koltsov announced his retirement from professional ice hockey after a successful career spanning two decades.
