Nikolai Kovalenko

Nikolai Kovalenko, born on October 17, 1999, in Raleigh, NC, USA, is a professional ice hockey player who made his NHL debut in the 2024 season. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 180 pounds, Kovalenko plays as a forward, specifically in the right wing position. He shoots left-handed and wears jersey number 15. Kovalenko was drafted in 2018 by the Colorado Avalanche as the 171st overall pick in the sixth round. His rookie year began in 2024 with the San Jose Sharks, where he quickly impressed with his on-ice performances. During the 2024 preseason, Kovalenko played four games with the Colorado Avalanche, recording two assists and maintaining a 100% faceoff win percentage. In the 2024 regular season, split between the San Jose Sharks and his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, he played a total of 57 games. With the Sharks, he achieved three goals and nine assists, accumulating 12 points. His shooting percentage stood at an impressive 16.7%, with an average of 12:40 minutes of ice time per game. While with the Avalanche, he contributed four goals and four assists over 28 games. Throughout the season, Kovalenko demonstrated consistent performance on the power play, scoring three power-play goals. His defensive skills were also noteworthy, with him achieving 45 blocked shots and takeaways combined. As he continues his career, Nikolai Kovalenko remains an exciting player to watch in the NHL.