Kirill Kaprizov

Kirill Kaprizov is a Russian left wing for the Minnesota Wild who won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2021 and has become one of the NHL's most electrifying goal scorers.

Kirill Olegovich Kaprizov was born on 26 April 1997 in Novokuznetsk, Russia, and grew up in a small village roughly 60 miles outside the city, travelling daily between his home and downtown Novokuznetsk from age four to practise hockey. The Minnesota Wild selected Kaprizov in the fifth round, 135th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft, though he remained in Russia for five more seasons, playing for Metallurg Novokuznetsk, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, and CSKA Moscow while winning back-to-back KHL scoring titles. Kaprizov represented Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics, scoring a tournament-high five goals, before finally making his long-awaited NHL debut in January 2021, immediately recording three points including his first goal. Kaprizov, nicknamed "Kirill the Thrill," won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in his debut season, becoming the first Wild player to receive the award, and has continued to be one of the league's most electrifying offensive talents since his delayed arrival in North America.

Kaprizov is an elite playmaker with exceptional vision and creativity, capable of making passes that few other players can see or execute. His skating ability allows him to change direction quickly and create space in tight areas, while his soft hands and puck control make him dangerous in one-on-one situations. He combines technical skill with hockey intelligence, consistently finding ways to generate offense for himself and his teammates.

Kaprizov revitalized the Minnesota Wild franchise and brought excitement to a fanbase that had been waiting for a true superstar, establishing himself as one of the NHL's premier young talents.

• Calder Trophy (2021)
• NHL All-Rookie Team (2021)
• 3x NHL All-Star Game selection (2022, 2023, 2024)