Alexey Toropchenko Bio
Alexey Leonidovich Toropchenko (Russian: Алексей Леонидович Торопченко; born 25 June 1999) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing at 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) and weighing around 101 kg (223 lb), he plays a power forward role and skates with a right-handed shot. Selected 113th overall by the Blues in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Toropchenko has steadily built his reputation through the OHL, the AHL, and a stint in the KHL.
Early Life and Background
Alexey Toropchenko was born on 25 June 1999 in Moscow, Russia, and grew up in a household deeply rooted in hockey. His father, Leonid Toropchenko, was a professional ice hockey player who was selected 260th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Leonid went on to play 14 seasons of professional hockey across Russia and North America, giving his son an early and lasting connection to the sport.
Tragedy shaped Toropchenko’s teenage years when his father died of a heart attack in May 2017, just months before Alexey was drafted into the NHL. Despite the loss, the young forward continued his development in the Russian junior system, captaining the HK MVD Balashikha program in the Junior Hockey League (MHL). His size, skating ability, and two-way instincts made him a noticeable prospect in his age group, and he represented Russia’s national program at youth international tournaments.
Path to Hockey
Toropchenko’s first major step toward professional hockey came in 2017, when he was selected fourth overall by the Guelph Storm in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. The pick gave him the chance to develop in one of North America’s most respected development leagues, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He made his OHL debut on 22 September 2017 against the Sarnia Sting, recording his first OHL goal and assist in a 4–3 shootout loss.
Across his two OHL seasons with the Storm, Toropchenko grew into a dependable top-six forward. In 2017–18, he appeared in 66 games and posted 17 goals and 22 assists, then followed it up with 17 goals and 26 assists in 62 games during his sophomore year. He helped Guelph capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions in the 2019 OHL playoffs, marking the franchise’s fourth title. On the international stage, he suited up for Russia at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships, earning a bronze medal in both events.
Alexey Toropchenko Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
After being drafted 113th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2017, Toropchenko signed a three-year entry-level contract with the club on 13 December 2018. He made his professional debut on 13 April 2018 with the Blues’ then American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, in a 4–2 loss against the Texas Stars. The following season, he split time between junior and professional hockey while adjusting to the North American pro game.
On 1 November 2019, Toropchenko recorded his first professional goal in a 4–2 win over the Texas Stars. He went on to play 59 AHL games that season, finishing with five goals and four assists while continuing to refine his two-way game and physical edge.
OHL Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Toropchenko’s two seasons with the Guelph Storm served as his primary development ground. During the 2018–19 campaign, he was a steady contributor on a championship roster, helping the Storm capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the 2019 OHL playoffs. His combination of size, skating, and willingness to play in tough areas made him a reliable piece of Guelph’s forward group.
Kunlun Red Star Era (2020–2021)
On 29 September 2020, the Blues assigned Toropchenko to HC Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for the 2020–21 season. He debuted on 4 October 2020 in a 6–3 loss to Dynamo Moscow and scored his first KHL goal on 19 October 2020 in a 3–1 win over Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. In a game against CSKA Moscow on 25 October 2020, he netted the fastest goal in Kunlun Red Star history, finding the back of the net just 34 seconds into the first period. Across 45 KHL games that season, he posted seven goals and four assists.
St. Louis Blues Era (2021–Present)
Toropchenko returned to North America for the 2021–22 season, joining the Blues’ new AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. On 14 December 2021, after the Blues were hit by a COVID-19 outbreak, he was called up and made his NHL debut in a 4–1 win against the Dallas Stars. The appearance marked his long-awaited first step onto an NHL roster and signalled the start of his top-level career in St. Louis.
Playing Style and Strengths
Toropchenko is recognised for his size, straight-line speed, and physical presence. He is effective on the forecheck, wins battles along the boards, and contributes on the penalty kill. His blend of reach and skating makes him a dependable bottom-six forward who can also chip in offensively when given top-six opportunity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout moments, Toropchenko scored the fastest goal in Kunlun Red Star franchise history on 25 October 2020 and helped the Guelph Storm win the 2019 J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions. He also made his NHL debut on 14 December 2021 against the Dallas Stars.
Alexey Toropchenko Career Wins
Alexey Toropchenko has built a steady resume that includes major junior, international, and professional accomplishments. His most notable team success came with the Guelph Storm’s 2019 J. Ross Robertson Cup title, and he added two bronze medals with Russia’s U18 national team at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships.
OHL Highlights
In 128 regular-season games with the Guelph Storm, Toropchenko recorded 34 goals and 48 assists. His sophomore season in 2018–19 was capped by an OHL championship, as the Storm captured the J. Ross Robertson Cup in the 2019 OHL playoffs.
International Highlights
Toropchenko represented Russia at two major U18 tournaments, winning a bronze medal at both the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Alexey Toropchenko Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Toropchenko family. Alexey’s father, Leonid Toropchenko, was drafted 260th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and played 14 seasons of professional hockey in Russia and North America. Leonid passed away from a heart attack in May 2017, just before Alexey began his draft year.
Personal Life
Toropchenko continues to honour his father’s legacy through his career in professional hockey. Public details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not widely confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NHL season, Alexey Toropchenko remains with the St. Louis Blues organisation and is expected to compete for a role in the team’s bottom-six forward group. His combination of speed, size, and penalty-killing ability gives the Blues a reliable energy option in their lineup.
Coming off a season in which he continued to establish himself as a steady NHL contributor, Toropchenko’s focus will be on consistency, two-way reliability, and physical play. With the Blues looking to build around a younger core, his role as a power forward who can drive play down low and contribute on the kill remains a valuable part of their forward depth.
As the 2025 campaign progresses, Toropchenko’s ability to stay healthy, win puck battles, and deliver in key matchups will shape his outlook. If he can add offensive production to his usual defensive work, he has the tools to solidify a full-time role with the Blues.