Nikita Zadorov

Nikita Sergeevich Zadorov (born April 16, 1995) is a Russian ice hockey player. Zadorov is currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, who drafted him 16th overall in the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Zadorov played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights. He was selected in the first round (4th overall) of the 2012 KHL Junior Draft by HC CSKA Moscow.

On October 19, 2013, Zadorov made his NHL debut skating with the Buffalo Sabres in a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. After spending much of the rest of that season in the OHL with the Knights, Zadorov made the Sabres' opening-night roster in the 2014–15 season as a permanent addition to the roster; he initially only saw limited playing time and is primarily on the team for practice only (he is not yet eligible for the American Hockey League and a tie-up involving Zadorov's Kontinental Hockey League rights are preventing him from being returned to juniors). Zadorov's playing time increased later in the season as the team's coaching staff decided to keep Zadorov regardless of his junior situation.