Chibrikov, Michkov lead Russian roster for U18s

Nikita Chibrikov, the top prospect for Russia in the 2021 NHL Draft, was among the 25 players announced to Russia’s roster for the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship.

The tournament runs from April 26 to May 6 in Frisco and Plano, Texas.

Chibrikov, ranked 20th overall in FCHockey’s winter rankings for the 2021 NHL Draft, spent his season with SKA St. Petersburg, playing at the KHL, VHL, and MHL levels. In the KHL, he collected a goal and an assist in 16 games, adding eight points (three goals, five assists) in 20 VHL games. He finished his season in the MHL, collecting nine points (three goals, six assists) in 11 games, adding three more assists in five playoff games.

Also named to the team is standout 2023-eligible Matvei Michkov, who led the MHL in goals with 38 in 56 games, adding 18 assists. The rookie’s point total edged out Nikita Kucherov for the U17 point record.

In all, six players ranked inside the top-100 of FCHockey’s winter ranking for the 2021 NHL Draft have been invited, including Chibrikov, Fyodor Svechkov (37), Prokhor Poltapov (39), Matvei Petrov (40), Daniil Lazutin (59), and Kirill Gerasimyuk (84).

Roster

Goaltenders: Valeri Brinkman, Kirill Gerasimyuk, Sergei Ivanov

Defensemen: Artyom Duda, Alexander Figurin, Vladimir Grudinin, Gleb Al. Ivanov, Arseni Koromyslov, Nikolai Makarov, Nikita V. Novikov, Vladislav Sapunov

Forwards: Dmitri Buchelnikov, Nikita Chibrikov, Vsevolod Gaidamak, Ilya Ivantsov. Dmitri Katelevsky, Ilya Kvochko, Daniil Lazutin, Ivan Mekhovov, Matvei Michkov, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Matvei Petrov, Prokhor Poltapov, Fyodor Svechkov, Danila Yurov