Detroit Red Wings draftee Nikita Tyurin probably isn’t familiar with the old phrase about how are you going to keep them down on the farm when they’ve seen Paris?

It succinctly explains the life he’s living, though. Or to be more precise, the dream he’s currently pursuing.

Selected 140th overall by the Red Wings in the 2025 NHL entry draft, the Russian defenseman saw action in one KHL game last season for Moscow Spartak.

Nikita Tyurin(5th round’25) with a primary assist on the Powerplay today. MHC “Spartak” is the winner of the “Spartacus Cup 2025” #LGRW pic.twitter.com/RptFhZIOV6

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 16, 2025

In an interview with the KHL website, Tyurin points out that he actually suited up for two KHL games last season as a 17-year-old. However, he only saw ice time in one of those games.

“I had been brought into the lineup for the game against CSKA, but I hadn’t played that night,” Tyurin said. “Then I was dressed for the game against SKA and made my debut in the second period.

Tyurin Overcame Nerves During KHL Debut

“I was really nervous and had some fear, but after the first shift, things became much better. I tried to play simply. Receive the puck and quickly pass it up to the forwards. There was some hesitation at one point, but everything was good in general.”

Even this brief exposure to the pro game taught Tyurin some valuable lessons.

“Being on the ice, I did feel I needed more muscle mass,” he said. “It was hard for me to battle, so I tried to gain possession of the puck using my stick, not body checks.

“Sitting on the bench through the entire first game was tough, but I was told it was for the best because the game against CSKA was hard-fought and one single mistake could have influenced the outcome of the whole game. In theory, I could have played late in the third period, but the coaches decided otherwise.”

Red Wings Pick Wants To Be KHL Regular

He’s mature enough to recognize it’s probably a dream that won’t come true. Still, the competitor in Tyurin isn’t ready to give up on being a KHL regular this season until he’s told that it won’t be happening.

“My two main goals for the upcoming season are to consolidate my position in the KHL team’s roster and to win my second Kharlamov Cup with JHC Spartak should I have a chance,” Tyurin said.

I’m going to wait until after the first couple days of Free agency then I’ll start putting out some prospect content. #LGRW

Nikita Tyurin(5th round’25) pic.twitter.com/SaIEfxInuF

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) June 30, 2025

Tyurin considers himself to be a two-way defender. Last season, he was accounting for four goals and 20 points in 50 games. He also became the subject of a viral video when he leveled an opponent with a classic open-ice hip check. It was the type of hit made famous in the 1960s by Red Wings defenseman Bob Baun.

“To be honest, I had never used that move before,” Tyurin explained. “It all happened spontaneously.

“I saw an opponent rushing at me and did such a hip check.”