Nikita Nesterenko Bio
Nikita Nesterenko is an American professional ice hockey player who currently serves as a center for the Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 10, 2001, Nesterenko was selected by the Minnesota Wild with the 172nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. After his draft rights were acquired by the Anaheim Ducks in March 2023, he signed with the organization and has since developed as a promising young prospect within their system. Nesterenko played collegiate hockey for the Boston College Eagles before beginning his professional career in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Nesterenko was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Coney Island. He is the son of immigrants from Russia, which gave him early exposure to the sport through his family heritage. Growing up in the New York area, he developed his passion for hockey at a young age and began pursuing the sport seriously through youth hockey programs in the region.
For his secondary education, Nesterenko attended the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, a prestigious preparatory school known for its strong academic and athletic programs. He played prep hockey for the Lawrenceville School and graduated in 2020, balancing his academic responsibilities with his development as a hockey player during those formative years.
Path to Professional Hockey
After graduating from the Lawrenceville School, Nesterenko joined the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), a junior-A league known for developing players for collegiate and professional hockey. His performance with the Chiefs helped him catch the attention of college scouts, leading him to the next level of his development.
Nesterenko committed to playing collegiate hockey for Boston College, joining the Eagles program beginning with the 2020-21 season. His rookie season was remarkable, as he was selected as the Hockey East Rookie of the Year for 2020-21, sharing the honor with Josh Lopina. He was also named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team that same season, establishing himself as one of the top incoming players in college hockey.
Nikita Nesterenko Career
Amateur Career (2019-2023)
Nesterenko’s path to professional hockey included stops in both junior and collegiate hockey. During his time with the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL, he refined his skills and adapted to the pace of higher-level competition. His success in junior hockey led directly to his selection in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild.
His three seasons with the Boston College Eagles from 2020 to 2023 proved instrumental in his development. During his junior season in 2022-23, Nesterenko established career highs with 13 goals and 34 points across 36 games. This strong performance accelerated his timeline toward professional hockey and made him an attractive asset when the Ducks acquired his rights.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2023-Present)
The Anaheim Ducks acquired Nesterenko’s signing rights along with defenseman Andrej Sustr and a fourth-round draft pick in 2025 in exchange for defenseman John Klingberg on March 3, 2023. The trade signaled the Ducks’ interest in developing the young center as part of their rebuilding roster.
Nesterenko concluded his collegiate career by signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks on March 16, 2023. He immediately joined the Ducks for the remainder of the 2022-23 season and made his NHL debut on March 21, 2023, against the Calgary Flames. He scored his first NHL goal three days later, tallying in a 6-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on March 25, 2023, recording the goal on a pass from Mason McTavish.
During the 2023-24 season, Nesterenko spent the majority of his time with the San Diego Gulls, Anaheim’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He appeared in 70 games with the Gulls, scoring 16 goals and 37 points. He was recalled by the Ducks in early April 2024 and appeared in three games with Anaheim, scoring one goal against St. Louis. He was returned to San Diego on April 10, 2024.
Following the 2023-24 season, Nesterenko received a qualifying offer from the Ducks as a restricted free agent. On July 15, 2024, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with Anaheim. He was assigned to San Diego to begin the 2024-25 season but was recalled on January 1, 2025. He made his season debut on January 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Ross Johnston in the lineup as the Ducks won 4-1. Nesterenko scored his first goal of the season on January 9, tallying in a 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He was returned to San Diego on January 24 after appearing in seven games with Anaheim, recording one goal and two points.
Playing Style and Strengths
Nesterenko plays the center position and shoots left. His two-way game allows him to contribute at both ends of the ice, though his offensive instincts have been particularly evident during his development. His collegiate career demonstrated his ability to score and create plays, while his professional tenure has shown his capacity to adapt to the faster, more physical professional game. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 183 pounds, he possesses the size to compete effectively against larger opponents in the NHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several moments have defined Nesterenko’s early professional career. His NHL debut against the Calgary Flames in March 2023 marked his introduction to the league, while his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues established him on the scoresheet. The trade that brought him to Anaheim in March 2023 proved to be a pivotal moment, as it gave him a clear pathway within a developing organization. On June 18, 2025, Nesterenko signed a two-year, $1.575 million contract extension with the Ducks, securing his future with the franchise through the 2026-27 season.
Nikita Nesterenko Career Achievements
Throughout his amateur and professional career, Nesterenko has accumulated several notable achievements at the collegiate and junior levels. His recognition as Hockey East Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 stands as one of his most significant accomplishments to date.
College and Junior Highlights
Nesterenko’s most decorated season came during his rookie year at Boston College in 2020-21, when he earned both the Hockey East Rookie of the Year award and a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. His career-best collegiate season came in 2022-23 with 13 goals and 34 points in 36 games. In junior hockey with the Chilliwack Chiefs, he developed the foundation for his collegiate success before advancing to the NCAA.
Professional Statistics
Through his first two professional seasons, Nesterenko has appeared in 77 AHL games with the San Diego Gulls, recording 16 goals and 37 points. In 10 NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks spanning the 2022-23 through 2024-25 seasons, he has scored two goals.
| League | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHL (Anaheim Ducks) | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| AHL (San Diego Gulls) | 77 | 16 | 21 | 37 |
Nikita Nesterenko Family
Family Background
Nesterenko was born in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents from Russia. His family background provided him with early exposure to hockey culture and helped shape his dedication to the sport from a young age. He was raised in Coney Island, where he grew up before pursuing hockey opportunities at higher levels.
Personal Life
Beyond hockey, Nesterenko attended the Lawrenceville School, a prestigious New Jersey preparatory school, where he balanced athletics with academic pursuits. He graduated from Lawrenceville in 2020 before joining Boston College. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season saw Nesterenko continue his development with the Anaheim Ducks organization. After beginning the season with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL, he received a recall on January 1, 2025, and made his season debut three days later against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Ducks earned a 4-1 victory in that game, with Nesterenko contributing as a lineup replacement for Ross Johnston at center.
He scored his first goal of the NHL season on January 9 against the St. Louis Blues in a 6-2 loss. After appearing in seven games with Anaheim during this recall, recording one goal and two points, he was returned to San Diego on January 24. The season demonstrated his continued progression and ability to contribute at the NHL level when called upon.
In June 2025, Nesterenko took a significant step in his career by signing a two-year, $1.575 million contract extension with the Ducks. This deal runs through the 2026-27 season and represents the organization’s commitment to his long-term development. As the Ducks continue their rebuild, Nesterenko projects as a potential regular contributor at the NHL level in the seasons ahead.