Nikita Prishchepov had one heck of a year. He went from playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to the National Hockey League in 12 months.
Prishchepov started last summer as the 217th overall pick during the NHL Draft for the Colorado Avalanche. He attended Development Camp the following week with no real expectations of making the team at all. He impressed management during Development Camp and then again during Training Camp, earning himself a three-year, entry-level contract.
“When I was going to development camp, or rookie camp, or main camp, I didn’t even know if I’ll sign a contract, stay here, or I’ll go back to junior,” Prishchepov said. “All I tried to do was to earn a contract and play pro hockey, and then the AHL season starts, and I didn’t expect to play NHL, but then I play six games, and it just happened so quick. So I didn’t have time to realize that it’s happening to me, you know.”
The shootout thread!
Nikita Prishchepov#Avs #GoAvsGo @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/kzNiw09nx5— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) July 5, 2024
Prishchepov started the year with the Colorado Eagles, playing in just six games before his first call-up to the Colorado Avalanche. His four points made him stand out with the Eagles, and his physical play set him apart.
Nikita Prishchepov pushes his first professional goal in to put the Eagles up by 1 early in the 1st with the help of Phillips and Olausson. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/ZSPnoiZ3wR
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) October 26, 2024
The 21-year-old spent the next month with the Avalanche, making his NHL debut on November 2, 2024, against Nashville. In his 10 games with the Avalanche, Prishchepov would not get onto the scoresheet, but left a lasting impact on the coaching staff.
Once Valeri Nichushkin became a regular in the Avalanche lineup again, Prishchepov did not see any ice time in Denver. The young Russian would become a key player for the Eagles on the bottom-six as he learned the pro game. His physical style became vital to some victories as head coach Aaron Schneekloth used him as one of his big bodies. In the hallway after games at Blue Arena, Andrew Cogliano frequently offered the forward tips. Prishchepov finished the season with nine goals and 14 assists in 51 games for the Eagles.
Nikita Prishchepov with the SHORTY!!!!!!! TJ Tynan puts on the pressure and Prishchepov picks the loose puck up and puts it in the back of the net for his 6th of the year. #Avs #GoAvsGo #EaglesCountry @MileHighHockey pic.twitter.com/kBiEjYpN5b
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) January 30, 2025
Prishchepov has two more years left on his three-year entry-level contract. With the way the lineup stands for the Avalanche, he could see increased time with the NHL club this coming season. His grit and willingness to learn have been the biggest factors in why he earned the contract to begin with.
