CBJ sign 2020 first-round pick Yegor Chinakhov

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Yegor Chinakhov (EE-Gohr Chihn-AH-Kawf) to a three-year entry level contract beginning in the 2020-21 season, club General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. Chinakhov was selected by the Blue Jackets in the first round, 21st overall, at the 2020 NHL Draft.
Chinakhov, 20, made his Kontinental Hockey League debut this season and posted 10 goals and seven assists for 17 points with six penalty minutes, six power play goals and 60 shots on goal, while averaging 14:00 of ice time in 32 regular season games with Avangard Omsk. He led all KHL players 20 years or younger in points-per-game (0.53) and goals (tied) and ranked second in assists (tied) and points. He added 5-2-7 and 24 penalty minutes in 21 playoff games to help the club win the Gagarin Cup.

"We are very pleased to sign Yegor to his entry level contract and are excited about his commitment to the Blue Jackets and taking this next step in his career," said Kekalainen. "He is a smart, dynamic player who had a very good rookie season in the KHL and we look forward to his continued development as a member of our organization."
The native of Omsk, Russia notched 36-54-90 with 22 penalty minutes and a cumulative +52 plus/minus rating in 97 career outings with Omskie Yastreby in Russia's junior league (MHL) from 2017-20. He recorded 27-42-69 with 16 penalty minutes, six power play goals, 200 shots and a +32 plus/minus rating in 56 contests during the 2019-20 season. There he ranked second in the MHL in assists, fifth in points, eighth-T in goals and 13th in shots on goal.
The 6-0, 178-pound winger posted 1-0-1 in five outings for Russia at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships and helped the country capture a silver medal at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championships with 2-1-3 and four penalty minutes in seven appearances. He also helped Russia earn a bronze medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 1-2-3 in five games.
FULL YEGOR CHINAKHOV STATS