Nikolai Knyzhov is a SKA player!

SKA Hockey Club have signed a contract with Nikolai Knyzhov.

The agreement with the defenseman runs for two years until the completion of the 2027/2028 campaign.

HC SKA welcomes Nikolai back to Saint Petersburg, wishing him plenty of success with our team!

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Nikolai Knyzhov was born in Kemerovo, Kemerovo Region.

After initially beginning to play ice hockey locally, he moved to Omsk at the age of 10 before subsequently transferring to the SKA Academy just a year later. When he turned 15, Nikolai began competing at junior level in North America with the Phoenix Firebirds and the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, and then the Regina Pats, Springfield Jr. Blues and Austin Bruins.

Nikolai travelled back to Saint Petersburg in the 2016/2017 season, where he went on to play in the MHL, VHL and KHL for our system. However, he made the decision to return to the US in the summer of 2019 by penning a deal with the San Jose Sharks.

Across his five years with the Sharks, Nikolai spent his time fluctuating between the AHL and NHL. Following the end of his stint with San Jose in 2024, the 28-year-old played in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones and the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Grand Rapids Griffins and Abbotsford Canucks.