2022 Flames Top 25 Under 25: #23- Ilya Nikolayev

Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images#23 - Ilya Nikolayev

Position: Center

Age: 21

2021-22 Team: Tri-City Storm (USHL)

Stats: 58 GP, 23 G, 49 A, 72 Pts, 83 PIM

Drafted 88th Overall in 2019

2021 Ranking: #29 (+6)

The Flames 2019 third round pick had a solid first season in North America after making the transition from Russia for 2021-22. Nikolayev finished tied for 10th in USHL scoring as a whole as well as the Tri-City Storm put together a very strong regular season.

While it is encouraging to see Nikolayev dominating in the USHL, it is important to remember that it is often players who are 17-18 years old playing in this league and Nikolayev was 20 for the entirety of last season. The big test for…