Artemi Panarin Bio
Artemi Sergeyevich Panarin is a Russian professional ice hockey player who serves as a left winger and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. Born on October 30, 1991, in Korkino, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, Panarin is widely known by his nickname “Breadman,” a reference to the Panera Bread restaurant chain. Originally an undrafted player, he began his professional career in the Kontinental Hockey League before making his NHL debut in 2015 with the Chicago Blackhawks. Panarin has established himself as one of the most productive offensive forwards in professional hockey, earning numerous individual accolades throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Panarin was raised in Korkino by a Russian Orthodox Christian family. His maternal grandfather, a former amateur hockey player, introduced him to the sport when Panarin was just five years old. His grandfather played a significant role in his development, often driving young Artemi to hockey tournaments in Tyumen. This early exposure laid the foundation for Panarin’s passion and skill development in the sport.
Panarin attended the Traktor Ice Hockey school in Chelyabinsk, where he underwent intensive training six days per week for approximately six months each year. This dedicated approach to his craft during his formative years helped develop the technical abilities and hockey sense that would later define his professional career. His commitment to training at a young age demonstrated the work ethic that would eventually carry him from Russian amateur hockey to the world’s premier professional league.
Path to NHL
Despite his obvious talent, Panarin went undrafted in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Rather than abandoning his NHL aspirations, he continued his development in Russia by joining HC Vityaz of the Kontinental Hockey League. His performance with Vityaz attracted attention from other KHL clubs, and on January 31, 2013, he was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for a draft pick. This move proved pivotal to his career trajectory.
During the 2014-15 KHL season, Panarin emerged as one of the league’s elite players, recording 26 goals and 62 points in 54 regular-season appearances for SKA Saint Petersburg. His exceptional play extended into the playoffs, where he contributed 20 points in 20 games during the team’s championship run. His outstanding season earned him a spot on the KHL First All-Star Team, solidifying his reputation as one of the top Russian players outside the NHL. Following this breakthrough campaign, Panarin signed his first NHL contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 29, 2015.
Artemi Panarin Career
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2015-2017)
Panarin made an immediate impact upon joining the Blackhawks. He scored his first career NHL goal on October 7, 2015, against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers, and that tally also marked the first goal scored by the newly crowned Stanley Cup champions in their season opener. Throughout his rookie season, Panarin formed a formidable second line alongside Patrick Kane and Artem Anisimov, two fellow Russians who helped him adjust to North American hockey.
His 2015-16 rookie season was exceptional. Panarin appeared in 80 games, recording 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points, which led all NHL rookies and ranked within the top ten among all league skaters. He scored his first career hat-trick against the New York Rangers on February 17, 2016. At the conclusion of the season, Panarin was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. He also received the Kharlamov Trophy as the best professional Russian hockey player and earned a place on the NHL’s Second All-Star Team. His chemistry with Kane was particularly noteworthy, as the American superstar cited Panarin as a major factor in his own MVP-caliber season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2017-2019)
On June 23, 2017, Panarin was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Brandon Saad, Anton Forsberg, and draft picks. He wasted no time making his mark with his new team. During the 2017-18 season, Panarin surpassed the Blue Jackets’ franchise points record, finishing with 82 points (27 goals, 55 assists) in 81 games. He also recorded five primary assists in a single game against the New Jersey Devils, matching a franchise record.
The following season proved even more successful individually. Panarin broke his own franchise record, recording 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 79 games to help Columbus clinch a playoff berth. Most significantly, he played a crucial role in the Blue Jackets’ historic first-round playoff victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, marking the first playoff series win in franchise history. After the 2018-19 season, Panarin became one of the most sought-after free agents in the NHL.
New York Rangers Era (2019-Present)
On July 1, 2019, Panarin signed a landmark seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the New York Rangers, worth an annual average of $11.642 million. He made his presence felt immediately, scoring his first Rangers goal on a power play during the 2019-20 season opener against the Winnipeg Jets. Panarin’s exceptional play continued as he became the first player in Rangers history to record 60 points in the first 43 career games with the team, surpassing even Wayne Gretzky’s early production with the franchise.
Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Panarin’s 2019-20 season stands as one of the finest in Rangers history. He recorded a career-high 95 points (32 goals, 63 assists) in the shortened regular season, finishing tied for third overall in NHL scoring. His performance earned him finalist consideration for both the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. Panarin also achieved several remarkable statistical milestones with the Rangers, becoming the fastest player in franchise history to reach 400, 500, and 600 career points.
Driving Style and Strengths
Panarin is renowned for his exceptional offensive instincts, precise puck-handling, and playmaking ability. His hockey sense allows him to find open spaces and create scoring opportunities for teammates. Known for his quick release and accurate shot, Panarin combines these skills with strong skating and the ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. His success alongside elite playmakers like Patrick Kane demonstrates his versatility and capacity to elevate the performance of those around him.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Panarin has accumulated numerous significant achievements. Beyond his Calder Trophy win and multiple All-Star selections, he set franchise records with the Rangers, including a 15-game point streak to open the 2023-24 season, surpassing Rod Gilbert’s previous record. He reached his 600th career point during the 2022-23 season, becoming the fifth-fastest active player to achieve that milestone. His international career includes a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships and multiple World Championship medals with the Russian national team.
Artemi Panarin Career Wins
Panarin has accumulated impressive statistics across multiple leagues throughout his professional career. His versatility has allowed him to adapt successfully from European hockey to the NHL, where he has consistently ranked among the league’s top scorers.
NHL Highlights
Panarin’s NHL career began with an outstanding rookie season in 2015-16, recording 77 points to lead all first-year players and earn the Calder Memorial Trophy. With the Blue Jackets, he set and broke franchise records, posting 82 points in 2017-18 before improving to 87 points the following season. His time with the Rangers has featured consistent elite production, including a 95-point campaign in 2019-20 and multiple seasons with 70 or more points. His first NHL goal, scored in the Chicago Blackhawks’ season opener against the New York Rangers, marked the beginning of a career defined by offensive excellence.
International and KHL Success
Before his NHL career, Panarin was instrumental in SKA Saint Petersburg’s 2014-15 KHL championship, contributing 20 points in 20 playoff games. His outstanding regular-season performance that year earned him KHL First All-Star Team recognition. On the international stage, Panarin helped Russia win the gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships, scoring the game-winning goal in a dramatic comeback victory over Canada in the final. He also earned silver and bronze medals at the 2015 and 2016 World Championships respectively, finishing among the top scorers in both tournaments.
| Competition | Season | Points | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHL (SKA Saint Petersburg) | 2014-15 | 62 | KHL Champion, First All-Star Team |
| NHL (Chicago Blackhawks) | 2015-16 | 77 | Calder Trophy Winner, NHL Rookie Leader |
| NHL (Columbus Blue Jackets) | 2018-19 | 87 | Franchise Record Points |
| NHL (New York Rangers) | 2019-20 | 95 | Career High Points |
Artemi Panarin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Panarin comes from a family with strong ties to hockey. His maternal grandfather was a former amateur hockey player who played a pivotal role in nurturing Artemi’s passion for the sport. From introducing him to hockey at age five to driving him to tournaments in Tyumen, his grandfather served as both mentor and supporter during Panarin’s formative years in Russia.
Personal Life
After joining the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, Panarin relocated to the United States without speaking English. He moved in with a Russian-born family living in Chicago, who helped him adjust to his new environment and culture. His fellow Russian teammates, including Artem Anisimov, also assisted him in learning English and adapting to life in North America. Panarin maintains his Russian Orthodox Christian faith and has been open about his religious beliefs throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season saw Panarin continue his consistent offensive production with the New York Rangers. As a veteran presence and alternate captain, he remained a key contributor to the team’s offensive schemes while mentoring younger players in the organization. His durability and ability to maintain high-level performance year after year have made him a cornerstone of the Rangers’ forward group.
Throughout the season, Panarin’s playmaking ability and hockey intelligence continued to drive the Rangers’ power play unit. His chemistry with linemates evolved as the coaching staff experimented with different line combinations to maximize team success. The Rangers relied on his veteran experience during critical moments of games and throughout the grind of the regular season.
Looking ahead, Panarin’s future with the Rangers remains a topic of discussion as he approaches the final years of his contract. His proven track record of elite production and professional approach to the game position him as both a valuable current asset and a potential trade piece for teams looking to acquire veteran talent. Regardless of future roster decisions, Panarin’s legacy as one of the most accomplished undrafted players in NHL history appears firmly established.