Aleksandr Burmistrov

Alexander Olegovich Burmistrov (Russian: Александр Олегович Бурмистров, ; born 21 October 1991) is a Russian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL. He has also previously played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for AK Bars Kazan and the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise from 2010 to 2016.

Junior
Burmistrov joined the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after being selected 12th overall in the 2009 CHL Import Draft. He made his debut in North America on 17 September 2009, against the Owen Sound Attack, recording his first career OHL goal in his debut.

Professional
On 8 October 2010, Burmistrov made his NHL debut with the Atlanta Thrashers against the Washington Capitals. On 29 October, he scored his first career NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabres. He then engaged in his first career NHL fight on 11 December against John Tavares of the New York Islanders. He would score 13 goals with 15 assists during the 2011–12 season for the newly relocated Winnipeg Jets. At the onset of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Burmistrov was assigned to Winnipeg's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps, where he would go on to record two goals and nine assists in 22 games before being recalled to Winnipeg for the start of the shortened 2012–13 season.

At season's end, Burmistrov became a restricted free agent and subsequently signed a two-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Burmistrov explained in interviews, that his departure from the NHL was motivated by dissatisfaction with his role under Head Coach Claude Noël, and bitterness over being assigned to the AHL, rather being allowed to pursue a more lucrative offer in Russia, during the NHL lockout.

On 1 July 2015, the opening day of free agency, Burmistrov signed a two-year contract to return to the Winnipeg Jets.

In a disappointing season where he scored only 2 points in 23 games, Burmistrov was placed on waivers on 1 January 2017. He was subsequently claimed by the Arizona Coyotes.

International play
Burmistrov represented Russia at the 2010 World Junior Championships held in Saskatchewan. Burmistrov was named to Russia for competition at the 2014 IIHF World Championship.