Alexander Burmistrov

Lore & Background

Burmistrov began his North American junior career with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League after being selected 12th overall in the 2009 CHL Import Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Atlanta Thrashers on 8 October 2010 and scored his first NHL goal later that month against the Buffalo Sabres. During the 2011–12 season, after the franchise relocated to Winnipeg, he recorded 13 goals and 15 assists. At the onset of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he was assigned to the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League, where he recorded 11 points in 22 games before being recalled.

After the lockout-shortened season, Burmistrov became a restricted free agent and signed a two-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League. He explained that his departure from the NHL was motivated by dissatisfaction with his role under Jets head coach Claude Noël and bitterness over being assigned to the AHL during the lockout. He returned to Winnipeg on a two-year contract on 1 July 2015, but after a slow start to the 2016–17 season (2 points in 23 games), he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Arizona Coyotes. He recorded 5 goals and 14 points in 26 games with the Coyotes.

Burmistrov signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on 1 July 2017 but received minimal playing time. On 24 December 2017, his agent released a statement on Twitter that Burmistrov had 'retired from the NHL,' with speculation that he would return to the KHL. Three days later, he signed with Ak Bars Kazan and helped the team win the Gagarin Cup in 2018. He later played for Salavat Yulaev Ufa, returned to Ak Bars, and after a scoreless stint with HC Dynamo Moscow in 2024–25, he signed with the Shanghai Dragons in 2025 and later with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones in 2026.

Reader's Guide

Alexander Burmistrov's career is notable for his high draft position (eighth overall in 2010) and his multiple stints in both the NHL and KHL. He was part of the Atlanta Thrashers' final draft class before the franchise relocated to Winnipeg, and he played a key role for the Jets during their first season in Manitoba. His departure from the NHL after the 2012–13 lockout, citing dissatisfaction with his role and treatment, highlighted the tensions between NHL teams and players during that period. His return to Winnipeg in 2015 was short-lived, as he was waived and claimed by Arizona early in the 2016–17 season. After a brief, limited role with Vancouver, he retired from the NHL in December 2017 and returned to the KHL, where he won the Gagarin Cup with Ak Bars Kazan in 2018. His later career included stops with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, another return to Ak Bars, a scoreless stint with HC Dynamo Moscow, and eventually a move to the Shanghai Dragons and the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones. Burmistrov's path illustrates the challenges faced by highly touted prospects who struggle to find a consistent role in the NHL and ultimately find success abroad.

Did You Know?

• He scored his first NHL goal on 29 October 2010 against the Buffalo Sabres.
• His first career NHL fight was against John Tavares on 11 December 2010.