Kucherov, Nikita

KHL (Russia):
Poprad 3 @ CSKA 2
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA, 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals (KHL): 12 GP, 1-1-2, -2, 2 PIM
Season totals (MHL): 19 GP, 19-17-36, +12, 38 PIM

Undrafted veteran Tomas Netik had a pair of goals to lead Slovakia's KHL team, Poprad, to a 3-2 win over CSKA. Ex-Lightning draft pick Vladimir Mihalik was +1 in 18:51 for Poprad. Current Lightning prospect Nikita Kucherov was -1 in 10:44. CSKA draws Riga on Saturday.

KHL (Russia):
Dynamo Minsk 6 @ CSKA 5
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA, 1-0-1, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Season totals (KHL): 11 GP, 1-1-2, -1, 2 PIM
Season totals (MHL): 19 GP, 19-17-36, +12, 38 PIM

Fresh off an MHL hat trick, Lightning prospect Nikita Kucherov was called up to CSKA's big team where he scored his first career KHL goal in CSKA's 6-5 loss to Minsk. Kucherov played 6:00 even in the match. CSKA plays Poprad on Thursday.

This season Bolt Prospects introduced our Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their on-ice contributions. There are no trophies or plaques, but we’re considering a WWF/WWE-type belt they can wear during games. At the least, maybe a really big belt buckle with the BP logo on it.

Quite simply, we wanted to highlight prospects throughout the year to help fans get better acquainted with the next round of Lightning stars while recognizing the prospect’s achievement on the ice.

This week’s BP Prospect of the Week award goes to … Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr. (Russia).

MHL (Russia):
CSKA Jr. 9 @ Poprad Jr. 4
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr., 3-0-3, +1, 4 PIM, 7 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 19 GP, 19-17-36, +12, 38 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

You know, a point a game pace is impressive, but a goal a game pace is borderline ridiculous. That's what Nikita Kucherov's MHL season looks like after he had a hat trick today in CSKA Jr.'s 9-4 win over Poprad. One of Kucherov's three talleys came on the power play and he also took a double minor for roughing as the game got chippy late in the third period. CSKA Jr. is off until Wednesday when they'll play Bobriusk.

Chelyabinsk Jr. 5 @ Ekaterinburg Jr. 3
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk Jr., 1-2-3, +3, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 30 GP, 8-14-22, +10, 24 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 7 GP, 0-0-0, +9, 4 PIM

Nikita Nesterov had 1 goal and 3 points, including a shorthanded assist, in Chelyabinsk Jr.'s 5-3 victory over Ekaterinburg Jr. The two teams rematch on Monday.

SM-liiga (Finland):
HIFK 1 @ JYP 3
Riku Helenius, JYP, Win, 28/29, 1.00 GAA, .966 sv%
Season totals: 23 GP, 16-6-0, 6 SO, 1.52 GAA, .936 sv%

Roll on, Riku Helenius. Roll on. The young netminder allowed only a Mikael Granlund third period goal in JYP's 3-1 win over HIFK. The goal was assisted by former Lightning draft pick Eero Somervuori and Granlund's brother Markus. The two teams re-match on Saturday.

MHL (Russia Jr.)
CSKA Jr. 3 @ Riga Jr. 4 (SO)
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA Jr., 1-1-2, +2, 4 PIM, 5 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 18 GP, 16-17-33, +11, 34 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 10 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

Nikita Kucherov had an even strength goal and assist in the second period of CSKA Jr.'s 4-3 shootout loss to Riga Jr. He also took a pair of minors in the period, as well, but did not get an attempt in the shootout session. CSKA Jr. skates again on Sunday against Poprad.

Chelyabinsk Jr. 3 @ Magnitogorsk Jr. 4 (SO)
Nikita Nesterov, Chelyabinsk Jr., 0-2-2, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Season totals (MHL): 29 GP, 7-12-19, +7, 24 PIM
Season totals (KHL): 7 GP, 0-0-0, +9, 4 PIM

Nikita Nesterov had an even strength and a power play assist in Chelyabinsk Jr.'s 4-3 shootout loss to Magnitogorsk Jr. The 2 points put Nesterov at 19 for the season, which matches his total from a season ago, which he put up in 46 games. Chelyabinsk Jr. plays Ekaterinburg Jr. on Sunday.