Ilves and Russian forward Ivan Nikolishin, 25, have signed a contract that covers the rest of the season. Nikolishin, who joins Ilves from the KHL club Amur Khabarovsk, will join his new team in the next few days.
Ivan Nikolishin has represented KHL clubs Severstal Cherepovets, Kunlun Red Star and Amur Khabarovsk and scored 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) in 127 regular season games during the past three and a half seasons. The forward scored eight goals and added eleven assist in 39 KHL games for Amur Khabarovsk this season.
In addition to Russia and China, Nikolishin has experience from the USA and Canada, where he played for the Everett Silvertips and Red Deer Rebels in the WHL junior league in 2013–2016. During this three seasons in the WHL the forward scored 203 points (65 goals, 138 assists) in 216 regular season games and 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in 21 playoff games.
– We have been looking for a player that strengthens our team and fits our playing system. We believe we have now found the player we have been looking for. Ivan Nikolishin has natural attacking talent and is able to make the players around him better. His game is based on skill, tempo and character. He excels on the powerplay and can play both center and wing, says Ilves sport director Timo Koskela.
Nikolishin (175 cm / 80 kg / left) will wear the number 21 for Ilves. The forward joins the team in the next few days.
– Ivan is ready to play immediately and is very motivated to join our team. He speaks excellent English and will quickly get used to to the ways the team operates. We are very happy to have him join Ilves, says Koskela.
