Nikita Zaitsev is a SKA player!

SKA Hockey Club have signed a contract with defenseman Nikita Zaitsev. The agreement runs for four years until the completion of the 2027/2028 season.

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Nikita Zaitsev is a defenseman who was born on 29 October 1991 in Moscow, Russia. He stands 187 centimeters tall and weighs 88 kilograms, shooting with his right arm.

He initially progressed through the Krylya Sovetov Moscow system, before moving to Sibir Novosibirsk in 2009 where he made his KHL debut. Nikita subsequently transferred to CSKA Moscow in 2013, winning the Russian Championship two years later and the Continental Cup twice (2015, 2016). He picked up 119 (39+80) points across 368 KHL appearances.

Nikita made the move to the NHL in 2016 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, before he then went on to represent the Ottawa Senators and the Chicago Blackhawks in the same league. He recorded 120 (22+98) points from 500 NHL matches.

On the international stage, Nikita earned a silver medal at the 2009 World U18 Championship, a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championship and two senior World Championship bronze medals. He dished out more assists than any other defenseman (eight) at the 2018 World Championship.