ALEXANDER BURMISTROV JOINS CINCINNATI, BRINGS OVER 300+ GAMES OF NHL EXPERIENCE TO THE CYCLONES
CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, proud ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, today announced that forward Alexander Burmistrov has signed with the team ahead of the 2026-27 season. With his signing, Burmistrov returns to North America after nine seasons in the KHL.
Burmistrov, 34, brings 348 games of NHL experience to the Cincinnati Cyclones. The skilled Russian forward was selected with the 8th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. While playing in the National Hockey League, Burmistrov recorded 37 goals and 64 assists (101 points) over the span of his seven-year NHL career. His most productive season came in 2011-12, when he recorded 13 goals and 15 assists (28 points) with the Winnipeg Jets. He appeared in games for Atlanta, Winnipeg, Arizona, and Vancouver over the course of his seven seasons.
“Adding a player of Alexander’s caliber and experience is an important moment for our organization. He has the ability to control the pace of a game, but what stands out just as much is his willingness to do whatever is required to win hockey games,” said Cyclones Head Coach Riley Weselowski. “Throughout his career, Alex has competed at the highest levels of professional and international hockey, learned under world-class coaches and developed an understanding of the details that separate good players from great ones. Whether it is winning faceoffs, managing his stick, finding scoring areas or making the right play under pressure, his knowledge of the game will be an invaluable resource for our entire group.”
“With everything Alex has already accomplished, it would have been easy for him to be satisfied with an outstanding career. Instead, he still has a burning desire to compete and a genuine love for coming to the rink every day. He and his wife are extremely excited to return to North America, help the Cyclones win and mentor our younger players as they begin their professional careers,” Weselowski added. “Alex’s decision to come to Cincinnati says a great deal about the direction of our organization. We are continuing to build Cincinnati into a destination players want to join, one capable of attracting players with elite professional and international résumés who believe in what we are building and want to help take it to the next level.”
After heading to Russia, Burmistrov spent most of his career playing for Ak Bars Kazan, but also appeared in games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Spartak Moskva, Dynamo Moskva, and the Shanghai Dragons. Burmistrov has 423 total appearances in the KHL, having notched 46 goals and 108 assists (154 points) across those nine campaigns. In 2018, he captured the Gagarin Cup with Ak Bars Kazan, and he won a gold medal in the 2014 IIHF World Championships with Russia.
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