Russian hockey player Alexander Nikishin has signed a new contract with FC Carolina

Russian defenseman Alexander Nikishin has signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes hockey club for the 2026/27 season. Under the terms of the agreement, the hockey player will receive $3 million, the club said in a press release.

"We are pleased that Alexander is returning to our team," said Carolina general Manager Eric Tulsky.

He noted that the negotiation process was lengthy, and added that the club expects Nikishin to return to the squad after the season in which Carolina won the Stanley Cup.

In the 2025/26 season, Nikishin joined the symbolic National Hockey League (NHL) rookie team. Among rookie defenders, he took second place in goals and points, scoring 33 points — 11 goals and 22 assists, and in terms of "plus/minus" (+18) he became the best among rookie defenders. In 17 playoff games, the Russian scored one assist and helped Carolina win the Stanley Cup.

"I'll rate my first season in the NHL at six out of ten"

Utah hockey player Dmitry Simashev — about his debut in North America and the triumph of Lokomotiv in two leagues

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in the sixth game of the NHL Playoff finals on June 14. Thus, the team with Russian hockey players won the Stanley Cup for the 11th consecutive season.

Nikishin signed a rookie contract with HC Carolina Hurricanes on April 11, 2025. It was clarified that the hockey player's agreement with the club is for two years. Under the terms of the deal, Nikishin will receive $832,500 for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, as well as a subscription bonus of $185 thousand.