Andrei Svechnikov

Andrei Igorevich Svechnikov (born March 26, 2000) is a Russian ice hockey forward currently playing for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Svechnikov is regarded as a top pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
Svechnikov began his junior hockey career in Russia within the junior program of Ak Bars Kazan. Soon after, he and his mother moved to North America so he could continue to develop his junior hockey career. The 2016-17 was Svechnikov's first season in United States, signing with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League.

Svechnikov had instant success with the Lumberjacks. In his rookie season he had 58 points in 48 games and was the team's leading scorer. He also finished sixth in scoring league-wide and was named to the All-USHL Team, also being named the USHL's Rookie of the Year.

At the 2017 CHL Import Draft, Svechnikov was selected first overall by the Barrie Colts. He was seen as one of the top picks for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, possibly first overall, before the season began. Similar to when he played with Muskegon, Svechnikov almost repeated his instant success in Barrie. In his first season with the Colts, he played in 44 games and scored 72 points, 40 goals and 32 assists.

International play
Svechnikov has represented Russia in international competition, helping the team win a silver medal at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in 2015. He also played for Russia at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2017 and 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, respectively. The team won bronze at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in 2016 along with Bronze at the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Personal life
Andrei's older brother, Evgeny Svechnikov currently plays in the American Hockey League for the Grand Rapids Griffins as a prospect to the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. Evgeny was drafted 19th overall by the Red Wings in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Svechnikov originally lived in Barnaul, Siberia as a child, but his family moved twice so they could access better hockey teams to further develop their sons hockey careers. They moved to Moscow and then Kazan before he most recently moved to Muskegon with his mother in 2016.