Former Soo Greyhound Kirill Kudryavtsev Selected for AHL All-Star Classic

Former Soo Greyhounds defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev has been selected to participate in the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic, representing the Pacific Division as a member of the Abbotsford Canucks. This announcement highlights Kudryavtsev’s impressive early career in professional hockey and marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the fourth player and second defenceman in the franchise’s history to achieve this honor.

All-Star Event Details

The AHL All-Star Classic is scheduled for February 10-11, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois. During the event, Kudryavtsev will compete in the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on February 10, followed by the 3-on-3 All-Star Challenge on February 11. This year’s festivities will also include the league’s Hall of Fame induction and awards ceremony.

Kudryavtsev, who is currently 21 years old, is in his second professional season and has made a notable impact on the ice. He is tied for third in scoring on the Abbotsford Canucks roster with 13 points, leading all defencemen on the team with 12 assists. Over his first 93 AHL regular-season games, the native of Yaroslavl, Russia, has recorded six goals and accumulated 39 points.

Career Highlights and Development

Having joined the Abbotsford Canucks during the 2024-25 season, Kudryavtsev has logged more games than any other defenceman in the franchise during this period. His rookie season was particularly remarkable, as he finished with the best plus-minus rating on the team in both the regular season and playoffs, contributing to Abbotsford’s first Calder Cup championship.

In addition to his AHL success, Kudryavtsev made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks on April 14, 2025, against the San Jose Sharks after being recalled from Abbotsford. His performance has garnered attention and respect within the league.

Abbotsford General Manager Ryan Johnson expressed confidence in Kudryavtsev’s abilities, stating that the All-Star selection reflects his consistent development rather than an unexpected achievement. “Kirill hit the ground running last year, and his development came along quicker than anticipated,” Johnson noted in a team release. “He is a complete professional and he is extremely coachable.”

Before embarking on his professional career, Kudryavtsev spent three seasons with the Soo Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he emerged as one of the league’s most reliable two-way defencemen. Under the guidance of current Abbotsford assistant coach Jordan Smith during his first OHL season, he later earned the role of assistant captain.

Drafted by Vancouver in the seventh round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Kudryavtsev also achieved international recognition, winning a gold medal with Russia at the 2022 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. As he prepares for the All-Star Classic, his trajectory in professional hockey continues to appear promising, reflecting both his talent and hard work.