Alexander Alexandrovich Nikishin (Russian: Александр Александрович Никишин; born 2 October 2001) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nikishin won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2026.
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Playing career
KHL
Nikishin made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut for Spartak Moscow during the 2019–20 season. He was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round of the 2020 NHL entry draft with the 69th overall pick. Nikishin was expected to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes after his contract expired with SKA Saint Petersburg in the spring of 2025.
Following three seasons in the KHL with Spartak Moscow, Nikishin was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for five contracted players and the rights to four further players and an additional 50 million rubles on 31 July 2022. With SKA Saint Petersburg, Nikishin's production improved, and he recorded 55 points in 65 games during the 2022–23 season. He was nominated for the Golden Stick Award, KHL's regular season MVP honor, which was ultimately won by his teammate Dmitri Jaskin, and named to the KHL's Golden Helmet Award all-star team.
Nikishkin was named team captain for the 2023–24 season, and led his team in scoring with 56 points in 67 games, though his season ended with a 4–1 series loss to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in the second round of the 2024 Gagarin Cup playoffs.
His production was slightly lower in the 2024–25 season, resulting in 46 points in 61 games, good enough for second in team scoring, behind only Ivan Demidov.
NHL
Following SKA Saint Petersburg's first round loss to Dynamo Moscow in the 2025 Gagarin Cup playoffs, Nikishin had his KHL contract terminated on 11 April 2025. The same day, he agreed to a two year, entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes and joined the team for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. After the 2025–26 season he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
International play
Nikishin played for Russia at the 2021 Karjala Tournament and the 2021 Channel One Cup.
On 23 January 2022, Nikishin was named to the roster of the Russian Olympic Committee athletes for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
He played for Russia at the Channel One Cup of 2022, 2023, where he was recognized as the best defenceman of the tournament, and 2024.