Nikolai Knyzhov rose from prospect with potential to lineup regular for the San Jose Sharks in 2020-2021. He wore this awesome Hockey Fights Cancer warmup on May 3rd, 2021 in his rookie season.
This is the very first non-Predators, non-Coyotes game worn jersey in my collection. I’ve had a lot of junior teams. A few AHL teams. And even some other minor hockey teams. I’ve had several NWHL teams. But never an NHL team’s gamer that wasn’t the Preds or Yotes.
Why Knyzhov? What’s a Russian defenseman have to do with Arizona?
Nikolai has had a wild career path that saw him leave Russia and eventually play AAA minor hockey here in Arizona for the Phoenix Firebirds and Jr. Coyotes. From there he had a brief stint in the WHL and NAHL before returning to Russia for several seasons.
Nikolai Knyzhov skates in this Hockey Fights Cancer warmup jersey prior to the game on May 3rd, 2021.
After being signed by the Sharks in 2019, Knyzhov spent time with the San Jose Barracuda and even had a brief call up to San Jose. 2020-2021 saw Knyzhov become a surprise full-time member of the Sharks and even poke his way into the top four alongside Erik Karlsson.
The young defenseman played in 56 games scoring 2 goals and 8 assists.
Nikolai is one of very few Arizona born or trained players to ever play in the NHL.
He also spends some time skating in the offseason in the rink my son plays in here in Arizona, so this is a pretty cool sweater to add.