Klim Kostin

Klim Kostin
Born (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999
Penza, Russia
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb)
Position Winger
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams
St. Louis Blues
San Antonio Rampage (AHL)
Dynamo Moscow
NHL Draft 31st overall, 2017
St. Louis Blues
Playing career 2017present

Klim Sergeyevich Kostin (Russian: Клим Сергеевич Костин; born 5 May 1999) is a Russian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays with the San Antonio Rampage in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract as a prospect for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Kostin was selected 31st overall by the Blues. Kostin previously played for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL, first playing in their junior system, before financial issues led to all the players being released in 2017. Internationally Kostin has played for the Russian national under-18 team at several tournaments.

Playing career

Kostin debuted for HC MVD in the Junior Hockey League (MHL) during the 2015–16 season. In 30 games for the team he scored 8 goals and 13 assists.[1]

Kostin was selected first overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft by the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL), a major junior league in Canada, but he decided to stay in Russia with Dynamo Moscow for the 2016–17 season.[2] He was reluctant to play on a junior team in North America, instead preferring to play for a senior team, either in the NHL or American Hockey League (AHL), the top minor league affiliate for the NHL.[3]

Kostin only played 18 games in the 2016–17 season, split between Dynamo Moscow and their junior league affiliate Dynamo Balashikha, scoring one goal before he had to end his season due to shoulder surgery in January.[1] Despite this, he was ranked the No. 1 European skater by NHL Central Scouting, stating he has proved in earlier viewings that he has the necessary tools to excel at the next level. He was described as close to a complete package with a good combination of size and mobility.[4] Kostin was also described as a power forward, one who was both able to score and help others score.[3]

Through playing a limited number of games, Kostin was taken with the last pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues. Initially thought to continue developing in Russia, Kostin was made a free agent after Dynamo Moscow were forced to release all of their players through a violation of KHL rules on July 4, 2017. The following day, Kostin agreed to a three-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues.[5] Kostin has said that he would prefer to play in the NHL for the 2017–18 season, though would not oppose going to the American Hockey League (AHL), the top minor league affiliate for the NHL; however he has no interest in playing in the WHL, or any junior league.[5]

International play

Kostin made his international debut at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, serving as captain of the Russian U-18 team. He recorded four assists in five games as the team finished sixth.[1] Later that year he participated in the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, an under-18 tournament not sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation but considered a top tournament for the age group. Again captain of the team, he had four goals and three assists in five games as the team won a bronze medal.[1] He also played in the CHL Canada/Russia Series, an annual tournament between CHL All-Star teams and the Russian national junior team, scoring two points in five games.[1]

Personal life

Kostin was born and raised in Penza. His family owns a butcher shop in the city. At the age of 12 Kostin moved to Moscow, living with his grandmother, in order to further his hockey career, and enrolled in the Dynamo Moscow program.[2]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 HK MVD Balashikha MHL 308132174
2016–17 Dynamo Moscow KHL 800027
2016–17 Dynamo Balashikha VHL 91014
2016–17 HK MVD Balashikha MHL 10112
2017–18 San Antonio Rampage AHL 676222872
KHL totals 800027

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Russia U17 2nd, silver medalist(s) 623516
2016 Russia WJC18 6th 50444
2016 Russia IH18 3rd, bronze medalist(s) 543729
2018 Russia WJC 5th 55382
Junior totals 2111131451

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Shwayder, Matt (2017-06-20). "Kostin Leads Draft's International Skaters". ColoradoAvalanche.com. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  2. 1 2 Kennedy, Ryan (2017-06-22). "Klim Kostin is the great unknown of the 2017 draft". TheHockeyNews.com. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  3. 1 2 Yerdon, Joe (2017-06-13). "Klim Kostin hoping to play in North America, but unsure where". NHL.com. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  4. "2017 Draft: Nolan Patrick of Brandon ranked No. 1". NHL.com (in en_US). Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  5. 1 2 Korac, Louie (2017-07-05). "Klim Kostin of Blues setting sights on NHL". NHL.com. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Robert Thomas
St. Louis Blues first round draft pick
2017
Succeeded by
Dominik Bokk
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