Alexander Delnov

History

2011-12: Alexander Delnov skated for Mytischi Atlant in Russia’s MHL (U-22 league) and represented Russia at the 2012 U18 World Junior Championship. In 47 games he scored 11 goals with 11 assists and was plus-one with 16 penalty minutes. In five playoff games he was scoreless and minus-two with 2 penalty minutes. Delnov played in all six games for Russia at the WJC, scoring 1 goal with 2 assists, and was an even plus-minus with 12 penalty minutes. Russia finished fifth in the tournament.  Not among the European players listed in Central Scouting’s final rankings, Delnov was selected by Florida in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft and was taken by Seattle in the first round (eight overall) of the CHL Import Draft.

2012-13: Delnov made his North American pro hockey debut in April, joining Panthers AHL affiliate San Antonio in April following his first season with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds. In six games with the Rampage he was -2 with no points nor penalty minutes. San Antonio missed the AHL playoffs after finishing last in the South Division. Delnov scored 20 goals with 29 assists in 69 WHL games with Seattle and was -33 with 33 penalty minutes. The Thunderbirds finished fourth in the U.S. Division and lost to Kelowna in a seven-game playoff series (5 of 7 games went to overtime). Delnov scored 2 goals with 2 assists and was +4 in the series.

2013-14: Delnov was the second-leading scorer for Seattle Thunderbirds behind defenseman Shea Theodore (Anaheim) in his second WHL season and skated for Russia against the WHL all-stars in the Subway Series. He scored 29 goals with 34 assists and was -7 with 42 penalty minutes in 71 regular season games. The Thunderbirds finished second in the U.S. Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Delnov scored 4 goals and was -3 with 8 penalty minutes in nine playoff games. He had 1 assist and was +1 in his only Subway Series game. Delnov signed a two-year contract with Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk in the KHL in May 2014.

2014-15: After a very successful season with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, Delnov returned to Russia where he skated in two games for Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk of the KHL. He spent the majority of his season in the MHL with Mamonty Yugry, where he scored 15 goals and added 33 assists in 42 games. He also recorded 13 points in just nine playoff games.

2015-16: Delnov played in eight KHL games with Khabarovsk Amur in 2015-16, spending most of his first pro season in the VHL. He had no points and was -1 with 6 penalty minutes, averaging 12:28 minutes of ice time for Amur. Delnov played 20 games with Dizel Penza, scoring 10 goals with 4 assists and finishing +5 with 2 penalty minutes. In four games on loan to Zvesda-VDV he was -3 with 1 assist and 2 penalty minutes. Delnov signed a contract to play for HK Sochi in the KHL in 2016-17 in May 2016.

Talent Analysis

Delnov is a versatile player with high-end skills and excellent skating abilities. He is a big player and uses that size in his physical play. Delnov plays a North American style of game, works hard down low and in the corners, and has shown some scoring touch and offensive prowess. He will need some bulk to compete at the pro level and his defensive game is inconsistent at times.

Future

Delnov played in eight KHL games in 2015-16, spending most of the season in the VHL. Signed to play with HK Sochi in the KHL in 2016-17, he is still looking to establish himself at the professional level. The 22-year-old has yet to sign an entry-level contract with the Panthers. He put up big scoring numbers in the WHL in two seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds but is still a long-term projection pick at this point.