Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev Bio
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev is a Russian professional ice hockey player who serves as a winger for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League. Born on October 26, 2000, in Nizhny Tagil, Russia, Dorofeyev was selected by the Golden Knights in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, 79th overall. He developed through Russian junior hockey before transitioning to North America, where he has become an increasingly productive scoring threat in the NHL.
Early Life and Background
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev was born on October 26, 2000, in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. He grew up playing youth hockey within the development system of Metallurg Magnitogorsk, one of Russia’s premier hockey clubs. His father, Igor Dorofeyev, was also a professional ice hockey player, providing his son with early exposure to the sport and guidance as he progressed through the junior ranks.
Path to Professional Hockey
Dorofeyev advanced through Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s youth system before earning spots on their junior and senior KHL rosters. After two seasons with Metallurg in the Kontinental Hockey League, the club traded him along with three other prospects to Traktor Chelyabinsk on June 11, 2020, in exchange for Vladislav Semin. He began the 2020-21 season with Traktor’s affiliate, Chelmet Chelyabinsk, in the Supreme Hockey League, recording eight goals and 17 points through 36 games. He made his lone KHL appearance with Traktor Chelyabinsk in a 4-2 victory over Kunlun Red Star on October 7, 2020.
With the North American season delayed due to the pandemic, Dorofeyev decided to pursue an opportunity in the NHL. He ended his contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on January 25, 2021. He joined the Golden Knights’ new American Hockey League affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, for their training camp.
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev Career
Early Professional Career (2018-2021)
Dorofeyev began his professional career in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in 2018. He spent two seasons developing against grown men in one of the world’s top professional hockey leagues outside the NHL. The trade to Traktor Chelyabinsk in June 2020 provided him additional experience in the KHL before his eventual move to North America.
Golden Knights Breakthrough (2021-2024)
Dorofeyev made his NHL debut with the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2021-22 season opener, a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken. He spent most of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL, continuing to refine his game. He was recalled to Vegas’s roster in March 2023 and recorded his first NHL point and first NHL goal on March 12, 2023. He earned an assist on a William Karlsson first-period goal before scoring a go-ahead deflection goal off his helmet in the third period of that game.
After recording seven goals and nine points in 18 games during the 2022-23 season, Dorofeyev signed a one-year contract extension with Vegas on July 19, 2023. He enjoyed a career-high 47 games in the 2023-24 season, demonstrating improved consistency and offensive instincts at the NHL level.
Emergence as a Scoring Threat (2024-2025)
Dorofeyev signed a two-year contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 1, 2024. The 2024-25 season represented his breakthrough as a consistent scoring threat in the NHL. On January 14, 2025, he scored his first career hat trick, recording a natural hat trick across the second and third periods in a 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators. Just two months later, on March 20, 2025, he scored his second hat trick, contributing three goals in a 5-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. That game also marked the first 30-goal season of his professional career, establishing him as a reliable offensive producer for the Golden Knights.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dorofeyev plays the winger position and shoots left. His game features quick hands around the net and the ability to find open spaces in opposing defenses. He has developed better playmaking vision and positioning during his time in the NHL, allowing him to contribute both as a scorer and as a secondary assist option. His consistency improved markedly during the 2024-25 season, as he demonstrated the ability to maintain scoring streaks and deliver in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dorofeyev’s 2024-25 season was defined by his hat trick achievements. His first career hat trick came against the Nashville Predators in January 2025, showcasing his ability to score in bunches. His second hat trick, against the Boston Bruins in March 2025, solidified his status as a rising offensive talent and represented his arrival as a 30-goal scorer in the NHL.
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev Career Wins
Dorofeyev has accumulated his professional wins across the KHL and NHL during his career that began in 2018. His most productive season came in 2024-25 with the Vegas Golden Knights, during which he recorded multiple hat tricks and reached the 30-goal milestone for the first time in his career.
NHL Highlights
During the 2024-25 NHL season, Dorofeyev established himself as a legitimate scoring threat with the Vegas Golden Knights. He scored two hat tricks during that campaign, including a natural hat trick against Nashville and a three-goal performance against Boston. His 30-goal season marked a significant leap from his previous career totals and demonstrated his development into a reliable NHL forward.
KHL and International Performance
Before joining the NHL, Dorofeyev accumulated professional experience in the KHL with Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Traktor Chelyabinsk. He appeared in 56 KHL games across his two seasons with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He also appeared in one additional KHL game with Traktor Chelyabinsk during the 2020-21 season.
Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Pavel Dorofeyev comes from a hockey family. His father, Igor Dorofeyev, was a professional ice hockey player, providing Pavel with early exposure to the sport and a foundation in hockey development from childhood. This family legacy contributed to his progression through the youth ranks of Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
Personal Life
Dorofeyev maintains a professional focus on his hockey career. He relocated to North America in 2021 to pursue his NHL opportunity with the Vegas Golden Knights organization. He has represented Russia internationally during his development years.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season marked a turning point in Dorofeyev’s professional career. After spending his first two full NHL seasons as a peripheral player, he earned a more prominent role with the Golden Knights and delivered consistent offensive production throughout the campaign. His two hat tricks in a compressed timeframe demonstrated his ability to score in bunches when provided increased ice time and opportunity.
The season storyline centered on Dorofeyev’s emergence as a reliable scoring option for Vegas. His partnership with the Golden Knights’ coaching staff allowed him to play to his strengths, and his chemistry with teammates developed as the season progressed. The first 30-goal season of his career validated the organization’s patience in developing him through the AHL and their belief in his long-term potential.
The playoff picture remained important for Dorofeyev as the regular season concluded. His scoring ability provided the Golden Knights with another offensive weapon as they pursued postseason success. The momentum he built during the 2024-25 season positioned him as a key contributor for Vegas moving forward, and his two-year contract extension signed in July 2024 reflected the organization’s commitment to his continued development.