After being selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2010 NHL Draft, Russian center Alexander Burmistrov is making his return to North America 16 years later, signing an ECHL deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization that will see him join their affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Years ago, the now 34-year-old was considered one of the Winnipeg Jets‘ best and brightest prospects once the franchise relocated from Atlanta to Winnipeg.Â
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As the eighth overall pick, Burmistrov went ahead of a long list of names who went on to have notable NHL careers, including Mikael Granlund, taken one pick later by the Minnesota Wild, Cam Fowler, who went six picks after him to the Anaheim Ducks, and others from that same draft class like Brock Nelson, Vladimir Tarasenko, Justin Faulk and Charlie Coyle.
By the 2016-17 season, though, it was clear Burmistrov wasn’t going to be the impact player the franchise once envisioned. He had settled in as roughly a 20-point player, more of a depth forward than a player taken in the top ten, and Winnipeg ultimately let him go, with the Arizona Coyotes claiming him off waivers.
The following season, he played 24 games with the Vancouver Canucks before heading back home to Russia. Over his six NHL seasons, Burmistrov finished with 37 goals and 64 assists for 101 points in 348 games.
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From there, he spent the better part of the last 12 seasons in the KHL, most recently with the Shanghai Dragons, remaining largely a depth forward at that level as well, totaling 46 goals and 108 assists for 154 points in 423 KHL games. He did get a brief taste of North American pro hockey along the way, posting 11 points in 22 AHL games back in 2012-13.
Now, more than a decade later, Burmistrov will look to find that familiar form again, this time a level down from where his North American career began, as he begins a new chapter in the ECHL with Cincinnati.
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