Sergei Shirokov

Lore & Background

Shirokov began his professional career in Russia, playing for CSKA Moscow's senior team in the Russian Superleague in 2004–05. After being drafted by the Canucks, he continued in Russia and recorded a career-high 40 points in 56 games for CSKA in the newly formed KHL in 2008–09. He turned down a tax-free $500,000 contract to stay in the KHL and instead signed a two-year, two-way US$1.75 million contract with Vancouver on 17 August 2009. In his first training camp, he led the team in exhibition scoring with seven points in four games and earned a roster spot for the start of the 2009–10 season, beating out prospects Cody Hodgson and Michael Grabner. He made his NHL debut on the second line with Ryan Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson and on the first power-play unit, but after going pointless in his first three games he was sent to the Manitoba Moose. He scored his first AHL goal in his Moose debut and was later selected for the 2010 AHL All-Star Game. He finished his first North American season with 22 goals and 45 points in 76 AHL games. The following season, he was recalled by the Canucks in January 2011 and scored his first NHL goal against Craig Anderson. He was again selected for the AHL All-Star Game and led the Moose in scoring with 22 goals, 36 assists and 58 points in 76 games. In the off-season, he signed a three-year deal with CSKA Moscow, and Vancouver traded his rights to the Florida Panthers for the rights to Mike Duco.

Reader's Guide

Shirokov's significance lies in his brief but notable NHL tenure with the Vancouver Canucks, where he was a sixth-round draft pick who made the team out of training camp and scored his first NHL goal. His career is marked by his decision to leave a lucrative KHL offer to pursue the NHL, and his subsequent return to Russia where he became a consistent KHL performer, earning multiple All-Star selections and winning gold medals at the 2012 and 2014 IIHF World Championships and the 2018 Winter Olympics. He served as team captain for Spartak Moscow and later for Sibir Novosibirsk, and played for several KHL clubs including Avangard Omsk, SKA Saint Petersburg, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, and Sibir before retiring in 2026. His legacy includes being a two-time AHL All-Star and a key player for the Manitoba Moose, as well as a decorated international player for Russia.

Did You Know?

• Shirokov played in the 2000 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with HC CSKA Moscow.
• He was selected 163rd overall in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, a pick acquired from the Florida Panthers.
• He scored his first NHL goal against Craig Anderson of the Colorado Avalanche on 18 January 2011.