Nikolay Zherdev

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Nikolay Zherdev
Zherdev with Atlant Moscow Oblast in 2011
Born (1984-11-05) November 5, 1984 (age 39)
Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
IHL team
Former teams		 Alleghe
National team  Russia
NHL Draft 4th overall, 2003
Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career 2002–present

Mykola Olehovych "Nikolay" Zherdev (Ukrainian: Микола Олегович Жердев; born November 5, 1984) is a Ukrainian-Russian[1][2] professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing for the Alleghe Hockey of the Italian Hockey League.

He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.

Playing career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Zherdev began playing hockey at the age of four.[3] He began his training with the Sokil Kyiv junior hockey affiliate. Due to complications with organizing a team for his age group, he was pushed to play a year ahead with the 1983 born players; a group which included fellow future Ukrainian NHLer Anton Babchuk.[citation needed] Zherdev played in the 1998 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with his youth team from Kyiv.[4] While playing in the tournament, Zherdev's team found itself competing against a team from Elektrostal, Russia. The rival team's coach, Ravil Iskhakov, took note of both Zherdev and Babchuk, and invited the pair to further their development with the Elemash Elektrostal hockey club of the Russian Major League, to which they accepted together.[5] The desire to play at a higher level came at a price: his nationality. In order to play in Russia, he would be forced to apply for Russian citizenship.[6]

CSKA Moscow[edit]

As his game progressed and professional teams began to take notice, Elektrostal received offers from the likes of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Ak Bars Kazan, and CSKA Moscow for Zherdev's services. He would accept an invitation for Elektrostal to loan him to the latter team, CSKA, citing a desire to train under esteemed coach Viktor Tikhonov.

Zherdev spent the entire 2002–03 season with CSKA. He left for the NHL halfway through the 2003–04 season. He would, however, return to the Russian club during the 2004–05 NHL lockout.

Columbus Blue Jackets[edit]

Zherdev with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008

Zherdev was drafted by Columbus in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft with the fourth overall pick. At the time, Columbus general manager Doug MacLean stated that the team had Zherdev ranked number one on their draft list.

The 2005–06 NHL season was a breakout year for Zherdev, who scored 27 goals and notched 27 assists in 73 games. He was the Blue Jackets' most potent offensive threat while Rick Nash recuperated from injury, and played most of the season on the team's first line.

The 2006–07 NHL season was a low point for Zherdev, as he struggled to score consistently and frequently clashed with the Jackets' coaching staff, leading to repeated rumors that he might be traded before the 2007–08 NHL season began. In response, Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson and then-coach Ken Hitchcock met Zherdev in a "clean-the-slate" meeting.[7] Following the meeting, Zherdev rediscovered success on the ice.[8]

Contract dispute[edit]

Contract negotiations with Blue Jackets management following the 2005–06 season became acrimonious. Zherdev threatened to remain in Russia for the season unless his demands were met, while Columbus insisted that Zherdev's salary demands were not commensurate with his accomplishments. On September 28, 2006, the parties finally agreed to a $7.5 million, three-year contract.[9]

New York Rangers[edit]

Zherdev with the Rangers in 2009

On July 2, 2008, Zherdev was traded by the Blue Jackets along with Dan Fritsche to the New York Rangers for defencemen Fedor Tyutin and Christian Bäckman.[10] In his first season with the Rangers, Zherdev tied for the team lead in points with Scott Gomez, scoring 58 points.

As a restricted free agent, Zherdev was tendered a qualifying offer of $3.25 million by the Rangers before the start of the 2009 free agency period so the team could retain his rights as the two sides negotiate.[11] Zherdev was awarded $3.9 million (USD) in arbitration, however, the New York Rangers chose to let Zherdev go.

KHL[edit]

The aforementioned walkaway made Zherdev an unrestricted free agent. Zherdev signed on September 15, 2009, a one-year contract for Atlant Moscow Oblast.[12]

NHL return[edit]

On July 9, 2010, Zherdev signed a one-year deal for $2 million with the Philadelphia Flyers, setting up his return to the NHL.[13] This NHL stint would last 56 games through one season as Zherdev did not garner the trust of Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette due to what the coach saw as lackadaisical effort and selfish play. For the majority of the season, Zherdev received limited ice time while playing the fourth line with very offensively limited linemates and rarely saw any power play time. Despite the lack of opportunities, Zherdev would manage a productive 16 goals, which included his 100th NHL goal. After the season the Flyers did not attempt to sign him to a contract extension.

Back to KHL[edit]

Following the 2010–11 season, Zherdev returned to Atlant Moscow Oblast. In the 2012–13, he was announced as the team Captain. He played in 39 games registering an impressive 37 points before he was traded to Ak Bars Kazan on January 15, 2013, to complete the season.


Zherdev representing Russia in 2012
Medal record
Representing Russia Russia
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Switzerland
Gold medal – first place 2012 Finland/Sweden
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2003 Canada
World Under-18 Championships
Silver medal – second place 2002 Slovakia

After signing a one-year deal with HC Lev Praha in July 2013, Zherdev celebrated at the Barvikha Luxury Village hotel in Moscow where things turned violent, according to a Russian news report.[14] Zherdev allegedly initiated a bar brawl at the hotel before crashing his Bentley Continental GT, which was later vandalized by locals who were outraged with his behaviour and scratched the words "scum", "bastard", and others into the vehicle's paint with nails.[15] Damage to the vehicle was allegedly valued at $30,000. Barvikha Luxury Village hotel staff also claimed Zherdev spent nights there with various women, prompting his wife, Eugenia, to file for divorce.[14] Zherdev also lost his passport as a result of the incident, meaning that he could not fly to his new team's training camp in Finland.[16]

He was released from his contract with Lev and on September 24, 2013, he was signed to a one-year contract with HC Spartak Moscow.[17] After failing to score a goal in 16 games with the club, he was released by the team in mid-November before accepting a short-term deal with HC Severstal.

On July 14, 2014, Zherdev continued his journeyman career, in agreeing to a one-year contract with HC Dynamo Moscow for the 2014–15 season.[18]

In August 2017, Zherdev signed a one-year contract with Russian KHL team Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.[19] He played two games for Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk before leaving the team for Latvian KHL team Dinamo Riga. In January 2018, the contract was terminated by mutual agreement.[20][19]

Zherdev did not play during the 2018–19 season. In the 2019–20 season, Zherdev played for HC Ryazan of the VHL. In October 2019, the contract was terminated by mutual agreement.[21][22] Zherdev did not play during the 2020–21 season.

For the 2021–22 season, Zherdev signed a one-year contract with the Bratislava Capitals of the ICE Hockey League.[23] After the successive deaths of a Bratislava player Boris Sádecký and the team's vice president, the club dissolved and did not play for the remainder of the season.[24] Zherdev then moved to Merano of the Alps Hockey League; his departure from the team was announced in July 2022.[25] Zherdev began the 2022–23 season playing for Yunost Minsk of the Belarusian Extraleague.[26] In October 2022, Zherdev moved to Dinamo-Molodechno, also of the Belarusian Extraleague.[26][27] Dinamo-Molodechno terminated his contract in March 2023.[27] For the 2023–24 season, Zherdev signed to Alleghe Hockey of the Italian Hockey League.[28]

International play[edit]

Nikolai Zherdev represented Russia at the 2002 U-18 World Junior Championships, helping that country to a silver medal. He finished the tournament with 6 goals, 5 assists, 11 points in 8 games (third best on his team, behind only Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin).

Zherdev also played at the 2003 U-20 World Junior Championships, registering only one assist in six games, playing a minor role in Russia's quest for the gold medal.

He was named captain of Team Russia for the 2004 World Juniors, but did not play after departing for the NHL.

Personal life[edit]

Zherdev is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian, and can speak limited English.[29] In 2011, he was arrested in Russia after allegedly smashing his then-wife's vehicle and threatening to murder her.[30][31] In 2020, Zherdev began treatment for alcoholism at a monastery in Pskov.[32][33][34] He lived at the monastery for two weeks, continuing to visit after he no longer lived there.[35]

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season and playoffs[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–2000 Elemash–2 Elektrostal RUS.3 21 10 7 17 26 7 0 0 0 0
2000–01 Elemash Elektrostal RUS.2 18 6 8 14 12 — — — — —
2001–02 Elemash–2 Elektrostal RUS.3 1 1 0 1 4 — — — — —
2001–02 Elemash Elektrostal RUS.2 53 13 15 28 62 — — — — —
2002–03 CSKA Moscow RSL 44 12 12 24 34 — — — — —
2003–04 CSKA Moscow RSL 20 2 2 4 14 — — — — —
2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 57 13 21 34 54 — — — — —
2004–05 CSKA Moscow RSL 51 19 21 40 62 — — — — —
2005–06 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 73 27 27 54 50 — — — — —
2005–06 Syracuse Crunch AHL 2 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2006–07 Khimik Moscow Oblast RSL 8 2 4 6 10 — — — — —
2006–07 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 71 10 22 32 26 — — — — —
2007–08 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 82 26 35 61 34 — — — — —
2008–09 New York Rangers NHL 82 23 35 58 39 7 0 0 0 2
2009–10 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 52 13 26 39 79 4 0 1 1 4
2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 56 16 6 22 22 8 1 2 3 2
2011–12 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 35 9 16 29 60 4 0 1 1 4
2012–13 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 39 13 24 37 20 — — — — —
2012–13 Ak Bars Kazan KHL 11 2 4 6 9 18 2 6 8 0
2013–14 Spartak Moscow KHL 16 0 7 7 2 — — — — —
2013–14 Severstal Cherepovets KHL 17 3 3 6 26 — — — — —
2014–15 Dynamo Moscow KHL 47 6 16 22 38 2 0 1 1 2
2015–16 HC Sochi KHL 26 3 4 7 12 — — — — —
2015–16 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod KHL 23 4 10 14 8 11 3 2 5 20
2016–17 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod KHL 54 8 21 29 24 3 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk KHL 2 0 1 1 6 — — — — —
2017–18 Dinamo Riga KHL 18 3 2 5 4 — — — — —
2018–19 Did not play
2019–20 HC Ryazan VHL 9 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
2020–21 Did not play
2021–22 Bratislava Capitals ICEHL 12 1 6 7 2 — — — — —
RSL totals 123 35 39 74 120 — — — — —
NHL totals 421 115 146 261 225 15 1 2 3 4
KHL totals 358 71 142 213 302 50 8 11 19 56

International[edit]

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2002 Russia U17 6th 5 1 4 5 6
2002 Russia WJC18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 8 6 5 11 22
2003 Russia WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 0 1 1 2
2009 Russia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3 0 1 1 0
2012 Russia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 4 6 2
Junior totals 19 7 10 17 30
Senior totals 13 2 5 7 2

Awards and achievements[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kelley, Jim (December 9, 2003). "Zherdev's day off 'intentional'". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 2, 2007.
  2. ^ "Interview with Zherdev". beyondtheblueshirts.com. March 14, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  3. ^ Russian prospects
  4. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  5. ^ "Russian Hockey NHL Prospects | Nikolai Zherdev: To CSKA fans – Thank You for your support! (January 12th, 2003) (RussianProspects.com - Best Source for Russian Hockey News and Features of NHL players and prospects)". Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
  6. ^ "ХК Сокол". Archived from the original on October 12, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  7. ^ Portzline, Aaron (August 30, 2007). "New GM breaks the ice with Zherdev". dispatch.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  8. ^ Reed, Tom (November 19, 2007). "Jackets notebook: Zherdev too good for words". dispatch.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  9. ^ "Blue Jackets re-sign Zherdev". TSN.ca. 2006. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2006.
  10. ^ "Columbus send Zherdev to the Rangers". TSN.ca. 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  11. ^ Brooks, Larry (June 28, 2009). "Offer for Zherdev, Antropov likely out". New York Post. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  12. ^ "НИКОЛАЙ ЖЕРДЕВ ВЕРНУЛСЯ В МЫТИЩИ" (in Russian). Archived from the original on February 1, 2010.
  13. ^ "Flyers sign right wing Zherdev". Philadelphia Flyers. July 9, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  14. ^ a b QMI Agency (August 2, 2013). "Nikolai Zherdev brawls, crashes Bentley: Report". Québecor Média. Archived from the original on August 2, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ LifeNews.ru (August 2, 2013). "Hockey player Zherdev broke Bentley, noting the contract". LifeNews.ru. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  16. ^ SovSport.ru (August 2, 2013). "Athletic Director "Leo": The contract with Zherdev are not going to dissolve". SovSport.ru. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  17. ^ "Nikolay Zherdev - new Spartak acquisition" (in Russian). HC Spartak Moscow. September 24, 2013. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  18. ^ "Жердев заключил контракт с "Динамо" на один год - агент хоккеиста" [Zherdev signed a one-year contract with Dynamo - hockey player's agent] (in Russian). rusport.ru. July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  19. ^ a b Спорт, РИА Новости (January 9, 2018). "Рижское "Динамо" рассталось с Николаем Жердевым". РИА Новости Спорт (in Russian). Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  20. ^ "Рижское «Динамо» расторгло контракт с форвардом Жердевым - Газета.Ru | Новости". Газета.Ru (in Russian). January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "Николай Жердев: с «Рязанью» не срослось, ищу новый клуб". Подмосковье Сегодня - Mosregtoday. October 16, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  22. ^ "Чемпион мира по хоккею Жердев рассказал о проблемах с алкоголем - Газета.Ru | Новости". Газета.Ru (in Russian). January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  23. ^ "36-летний Жердев возобновил карьеру, подписав контракт с «Братислава Кэпиталз»". GOROBZOR.RU (in Russian). July 27, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  24. ^ Панышев, Павел (January 8, 2022). "Жердев — о «Братиславе»: после второй смерти было сказано окончательно: «Всё, стоп»". Чемпионат (in Russian). Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  25. ^ "Николай Жердев покинул итальянский «Мерано»". sport-express.ru (in Russian). July 3, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Николай Жердев перешел в «Динамо-Молодечно»". hockey.by (in Russian). Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Громил отель, буянил в Барвихе, кидал ЦСКА. История главного дебошира российского хоккея". sport-express.ru (in Russian). April 21, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  28. ^ Панченко, Антон. "Николай Жердев продолжит карьеру во втором дивизионе чемпионата Италии". www.championat.com (in Russian). Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  29. ^ "Zherdev shows his diversity". atlant-mo.ru. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  30. ^ "Чемпион мира по хоккею вынес ссору из ресторана". www.mk.ru (in Russian). May 18, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  31. ^ "Conflicting reports on violent incident between Zherdev, wife". Yahoo Sports. May 19, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  32. ^ Боярский, Александр (June 22, 2020). "«Коля, что ты делаешь?» Исповедь хоккейного алкоголика Жердева". AiF (in Russian). Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  33. ^ Панышев, Павел. "«Мои проблемы с алкоголем позади». Как сейчас живёт Николай Жердев". www.championat.com (in Russian). Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  34. ^ "Чемпион мира по хоккею Жердев рассказал о проблемах с алкоголем - Газета.Ru | Новости". Газета.Ru (in Russian). January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  35. ^ Панышев, Павел. "«Алкоголь выигрывал у меня дуэль. Решил идти в монастырь». Откровенное интервью с Жердевым". www.championat.com (in Russian). Retrieved January 14, 2024.

External links[edit]

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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick
2003 		Succeeded by
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