Man of the Week: Vadim Shipachyov

KHL.ru’s weekly column goes on with Dinamo Minsk’s Vadim Shipachyov. The veteran forward has recently made headlines by becoming the all-time leader in games played with 1,002 and tying Sergei Mozyakin as the KHL’s all-time top scorer with 928 points. His consistency and ability to maintain his high level of play at his age highlight his enduring influence on the ice across the league.Early yearsVadim Shipachyov was born on March 12, 1987, in Cherepovets, a city in Vologda Oblast about 300 miles North of Moscow. Cherepovets is a hockey town in Russia, producing players like Dmitry Yushkevich, Pavel Buchnevich, Yury Alexandrov, Bogdan Kiselevich, Maxim Chudinov, and many others.Shipachyov’s professional career began with Severstal, where he debuted in the Russian Superleague during the 2005-2006 season. His early career saw steady development, and by the 2010-1011 season, he was already a key player for Severstal, registering 38 points in 51 games after scoring 44 a year before. His breakout came during his time at SKA, where his playmaking ability and leadership became evident. Over several seasons with SKA, he became a two-time Gagarin Cup champion (2015, 2017), playing alongside some of the best talents in Russian hockey. He was most noticeable on a line with Artemy Panarin and Evgeny Dadonov.KHL Success and RecordsShipachyov’s career in the KHL blossomed as he consistently ranked among the league’s top scorers. His partnership with Panarin at SKA Saint Petersburg helped establish him as a premier playmaker in the league. During the 2016-2017 season, he hit his peak, tallying 76 points in 50 games. Over the years, he has amassed more than 1,000 games in the KHL, and his 928 career points (291 goals and 637 assists) speak volumes about his longevity and skill on the ice.Brief NHL StintIn 2017, Shipachyov briefly tried his hand at the NHL, signing with the Vegas Golden Knights in their inaugural season. However, the transition to the North American style of play was not smooth. After only three games, in which he scored one goal, Shipachyov decided to return to Russia and continue his career in the KHL. While his NHL stint was short-lived, it didn’t tarnish his legacy in the KHL, where he continued to shine. After that stint, he returned to SKA, then also lined up for four seasons with Dynamo Moscow and two years with Ak Bars before signing with Dinamo Minsk this summer. He won several accolades, like two straight Golden Sticks as the Regular-season MVP in 2021 and 2022, but never lifted another Cup.International SuccessShipachyov has also represented Russia on the international stage, notably winning gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. His contributions to the national team have been significant, though less prolific than his KHL career. He participated in World Championships and Olympics, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure on the international level. Most noticeably, he helped Team Russia winning a gold medal at the 2014 World Championship in Belarus – a country where his story will return.Recent MilestonesIn October 2024, Shipachyov made history by surpassing Evgeny Biryukov for the most games played in the KHL, lining up for his 1,002nd league appearance on Saturday. That night, he assisted the final goal in a 4:1 victory to move to 928 career points in the KHL. That matches Sergei Mozyakin’s scoring record. Shipachyov’s next goal or assist will make him the all-time leader in KHL scoring and then surpassing Mozyakin as the KHL’s all-time top scorer. He will have his next chance on Friday as Dinamo Minsk hosts Vityaz.