Grigori Dronov (Russian: Григорий Антонович Дронов; born 10 January 1998) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Grigori Dronov
Born (1998-01-10) 10 January 1998 (age 26)
Magnitogorsk, Russia
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
KHL team
Former teams
Traktor Chelyabinsk
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
National team  Russia
Playing career 2016–present

Playing career

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Dronov originally played as a youth within Metallurg Magnitogorsk junior program before making his professional debut with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) during the 2016–17 season.[1]

In his sixth season in the KHL with Magnitogorsk, after limited to just 6 regular season games, Dronov broke out in the playoffs, placing second in league scoring amongst defenseman with 14 points to help Metallurg advance to the Gagarin Cup finals.

As a free agent, Dronov opted to pursue his NHL ambitions. After originally reported to accept an invitation to the Arizona Coyotes training camp, Dronov later agreed to a tryout with the Carolina Hurricanes, appearing in prospects showcase before participating at the Hurricanes training camp.[2][3] Following positive reviews through training camp and pre-season, Dronov was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes and was immediately assigned to join AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, on 4 October 2022.[4] However, before his contract was officially lodged with the NHL, the Hurricanes announced they had mutually agreed to part ways on 6 October 2022.[5]

Dronov returned to Russia, and resumed his tenure with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, signing a one-year contract for the remainder of the 2022–23 season on 15 October 2022.[6]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 Stalnye Lisy MHL 36 4 8 12 34 8 0 0 0 10
2016–17 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 38 0 2 2 12 14 0 1 1 2
2016–17 Stalnye Lisy MHL 4 1 0 1 4
2017–18 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 25 2 5 7 4 9 0 1 1 6
2018–19 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 16 2 3 5 18 4 0 1 1 2
2018–19 Stalnye Lisy MHL 1 0 0 0 0
2019–20 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 62 1 9 10 21 5 0 0 0 0
2020–21 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 42 2 12 14 10 12 1 3 4 4
2021–22 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 6 0 1 1 0 24 5 9 14 6
2022–23 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 41 8 11 19 24 11 4 2 6 10
2023–24 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 28 3 5 8 18
2023–24 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 23 0 6 6 8 14 1 2 3 4
KHL totals 281 18 54 72 115 93 11 19 30 34
Medal record
Representing   Russia
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
  2017 Canada

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2017 Russia WJC   7 0 1 1 2
2021 ROC WC 5th 5 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 7 0 1 1 2
Senior totals 5 0 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ "Grigori Dronov player profile". Elite Prospects. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Defenseman Grigori Dronov set to play for Arizona Coyotes". eprinkside.com. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Canes announce prospect showcase roster". Carolina Hurricanes. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Canes agree to terms with Dronov". Carolina Hurricanes. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Canes announce roster transactions". Carolina Hurricanes. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Welcome back Grigori!" (in Russian). Metallurg Magnitogorsk. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
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