Ilya Mikheyev

Ilya Andreyevich Mikheyev (Russian: Илья Андреевич Михеев; born 10 October 1994) is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Andreyevich and the family name is Mikheyev.

Ilya Mikheyev
Mikheyev with the Vancouver Canucks in 2023
Born (1994-10-10) 10 October 1994
Omsk, Russia
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Chicago Blackhawks
Avangard Omsk
Toronto Maple Leafs
Vancouver Canucks
National team  Russia
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2012–present

Playing career

Mikheyev started his career in the school of Avangard Omsk. In 2012 he started playing in the youth team Omskie Yastreby in the MHL. In 2013 he won the Kharlamov Cup with his team. In the 2013–14 season he started playing for Yermak Angarsk, the farm team of Avangard in the VHL. In the next seasons, he also played for Sokol Krasnoyarsk and Saryarka Karagandy, that time farm teams of Avangard, in the VHL.[1] In the 2015–16 season he started playing for Avangard in the Kontinental Hockey League. He established quickly in the team. The 2017–18 season he finished as the top scorer of Avangard with 38 points.

In 62 games during the 2018–19 season, Mikheyev recorded 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points to again finish as the club's top point scorer. In the post-season, he helped Avangard reach the Gagarin Cup finals recording 11 points in 13 games.

On 6 May 2019, Mikheyev signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).[2] On 2 October 2019, during the Maple Leafs' home opener, Mikheyev scored his first NHL goal and added an assist in a 5–3 victory over the Ottawa Senators.[3] After his debut, he made a passing comment about how he loved soup, which eventually led to a partnership with the Campbell Soup Company.[4] In an away game against the New Jersey Devils on 27 December, Devils forward Jesper Bratt fell, causing his skate blade to cut Mikheyev's wrist.[5] Mikheyev suffered a laceration on his wrist and was removed from the game. He immediately underwent surgery at University Hospital in Newark to repair an artery and tendons in his wrist.[6] Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas and assistant athletic trainer Jon Geller cleared their schedules so Mikheyev would have familiar people around in the three days between his surgery and flying back to Toronto.[7] Mikheyev did not return for the remainder of the regular season, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but was able to return for the playoffs. He went pointless in five games as the Leafs fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round.[8]

On 20 October 2020, Mikheyev signed a 2-year, $3.29 million contract with the Maple Leafs, avoiding his salary arbitration hearing which had been set for the following day.[9] It was also reported that Mikheyev willingly reduced his salary after a request from Leafs general manager Dubas, to ensure the team would remain under the salary cap.[10] During the 2020–21 season, Mikheyev played primarily on the team's third line in a checking forward situation. In the following playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens he was again held scoreless, increasing his total to 12 playoff games without a single point.[11] It was reported he requested a trade following the season due to a lack of playing time and usage but was denied by Leafs management.[12] In his final season with the Maple Leafs, he established career highs in goals (21) and points (32) in 53 games. He also appeared in all seven of the Maple Leafs' playoff games scoring two goals and four points.[13]

On 13 July 2022, Mikheyev left the Maple Leafs in free agency and signed a four-year, $19 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks.[13] In his first pre-season game with the Canucks on 25 September during the 2022 training camp, Mikheyev tore his anterior cruciate ligament. He missed the rest of pre-season and made his debut during the Canucks fourth game of the year against the Columbus Blue Jackets on 18 October. After 43 games, the Canucks shut Mikheyev down in January 2023 and he underwent surgery to repair the injury.[14] Mikheyev scored 13 goals and 28 points. Mikheyev missed the remainder of the 2022–23 season.[15]

On June 26, 2024, the Canucks traded Mikheyev, Sam Lafferty, and a 2027 second round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2027.[16]

International play

In 2017, Mikheyev played for Team Russia at the 2017 Deutschland Cup. He was later added to make his full international debut for Russia at the 2018 World Championships in Denmark.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Omskie Yastreby MHL 521318312 121340
2013–14 Omskie Yastreby MHL 5634377112 144596
2013–14 Yermak Angarsk VHL 30220 —————
2014–15 Sokol Krasnoyarsk VHL 4979168 —————
2014–15 Omskie Yastreby MHL ————— 54150
2014–15 Avangard Omsk KHL ————— 20000
2015–16 Avangard Omsk KHL 528101816 100112
2016–17 Avangard Omsk KHL 561271910 122352
2016–17 Saryarka Karagandy VHL ————— 10110
2017–18 Avangard Omsk KHL 541919386 70222
2018–19 Avangard Omsk KHL 622322458 1347114
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 39815234 50000
2020–21 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 54710176 70000
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 5321113226 72246
2022–23 Vancouver Canucks NHL 461315282 —————
2023–24 Vancouver Canucks NHL 781120314 110000
KHL totals 224625812040 446131910
NHL totals 270607113142 302246

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2018 Russia WC 6th 83140
Senior totals 83140

References
  1. "Ilya Mikheyev player profile". Avangard Omsk. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  2. "Maple Leafs Sign Ilya Mikheyev to Entry Level Contract". Toronto Maple Leafs. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  3. "Matthews scores twice, Maple Leafs beat Senators in opener". Yahoo! Sports. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  4. Horrobin, Jordan (27 February 2020). "Leafs' Mikheyev Turns 'Normal Comment' About Soup Into Deal With Campbell's". Forbes. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  5. Fox, Luke (29 December 2019). "Maple Leafs' Ilya Mikheyev suffers wrist injury vs. Devils". Sportsnet. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  6. "Update on Forward Ilya Mikheyev". Toronto Maple Leafs. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019 – via NHL.com.
  7. Johnston, Chris (1 January 2020). "Leafs' Dubas goes 'above and beyond' in support of Mikheyev after scary injury". Sportsnet. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  8. Rosen, Dan (10 August 2020). "Maple Leafs denied playoff run again with Game 5 loss to Blue Jackets Ilya Mikheyev". National Hockey League. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  9. Shilton, Kristen (20 October 2020). "Toronto Maple Leafs sign winger Ilya Mikheyev to two-year deal". TSN. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  10. Gold-Smith, Josh (21 October 2020). "Agent: Mikheyev took less money so Maple Leafs could be cap-compliant". theScore.com. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  11. Cuthbert, Justin (10 September 2021). "Maple Leafs forward Ilya Mikheyev reportedly asked for a trade". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  12. Friedman, Elliotte (9 September 2021). "Sabres re-engage interested teams after meeting with Eichel's representatives". Sportsnet. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  13. "Canucks agree to terms with Ilya Mikheyev". Vancouver Canucks. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  14. Johnston, Patrick (29 January 2023). "Canucks shut down Ilya Mikheyev due to knee injury". The Province. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  15. Johnston, Patrick (6 September 2023). "Canucks: Ilya Mikheyev's recovery may keep him out of pre-season games". The Province. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  16. "Mikheyev, Lafferty traded to Blackhawks by Canucks". NHL.com. 26 June 2024.
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