With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Kirill Kirsanov!
Kirill Kirsanov
Birthdate: September 19, 2002
Birthplace: Tver, Russia
Height: 6’2
Weight: 220 lbs
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Draft: 3rd round, 84th overall, 2021 NHL Entry Draft
2024-25 season
Kirill Kirsanov bounced back and forth between the KHL and VHL (the KHL’s version of the AHL) in the final year of his current KHL contract. In 34 KHL regular-season games with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Kirsanov registered seven points (3 G, 4 A) while averaging around 14 minutes of ice time with a +5 rating and eight penalty minutes. Torpedo was ousted quickly in the playoffs, and Kirsanov averaged over 12 minutes of ice time in the two contests.
His regular-season point total in the VHL was identical to his KHL total. In 28 regular-season contests with Torpedo-Gorky (VHL), Kirsanov had seven points (1 G, 6 A) with a +5 rating, 14 penalty minutes, and averaged nearly 21 minutes of ice time. His increased role with Torpedo-Gorky continued into the postseason, when he was assigned to the team after his KHL season concluded.
In 19 VHL playoff games, Kirsanov tallied five points (1 G, 4 A), a +4 rating, and eight penalty minutes. He also averaged nearly 19 minutes per contest. Torped-Gorky went on to win the Petrov Cup in six games against Khimik Voskresensk. Kirsanov became the third Kings prospect in the Kings’ pipeline to win a championship in their respective league for the 2024-25 season.
🚨 Alexander Pelevin #TorpedoGorky #RaiseUp
🍎 Kirill Kirsanov #GoKingsGo
1-1 #VHLplayoffs pic.twitter.com/bmPeGq0DSZ
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) April 10, 2025
2025-26 outlook
We’ve signed D Kirill Kirsanov to a two-year entry-level contract through the 2026-27 season!
More Info 📲 https://t.co/6d5R4PgQBQ@Enterprise | #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/lSR3fawHEn
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 1, 2025
Kirill “The Thrill” Kirsanov 💥
3-0 LAK pic.twitter.com/OCN0n8Rxd8
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 13, 2025
The long wait is finally over! Kirsanov will be making his way to North America after signing his entry-level contract in June. When drafted by the Kings, Mark Yannetti spoke highly of the third-round pick, raving about his skating, puck movement, defensive awareness, playing big minutes against top competition in the KHL, and being Russia’s number-one defenseman at the World Juniors.
Four years later, we will finally get to see him in North America wearing an Ontario Reign jersey. Growing pains will happen for the 23-year-old, but now the Kings will get to see the progress in his development up close daily.
Also, it’s his birthday today! Wish him a happy birthday if you can.
Featured image credit: Cody McLachlan/Getty Images
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