Klim Kostin Bio
Klim Sergeyevich Kostin, born on 5 May 1999, is a Russian professional ice hockey winger who plays for Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Standing 193 centimeters tall and weighing 105 kilograms, Kostin has built his career around a power-forward style, combining size with the ability to contribute as both a scorer and a playmaker. He first attracted international attention as a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and was selected 31st overall by the St. Louis Blues. Over the following years, he suited up for several National Hockey League organizations, including the Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, and San Jose Sharks, while also gaining experience in the KHL with Dynamo Moscow and Avangard Omsk.
Early Life and Background
Klim Sergeyevich Kostin was born and raised in Penza, Russia, where his family operates a butcher shop. Growing up in a city far from Russia’s traditional hockey hubs, Kostin developed his early passion for the sport locally, training with youth programs in the region. His physical attributes were evident from a young age, and his combination of height, strength, and skating drew the attention of scouts well before he reached draft eligibility.
At the age of 12, Kostin made the significant move from Penza to Moscow to live with his grandmother and accelerate his hockey development. He enrolled in the Dynamo Moscow youth program, one of the most respected development systems in Russian hockey. The transition required maturity beyond his years, as he balanced schooling and elite-level training in a new city, but it also gave him daily access to high-quality coaching and competitive junior hockey. Those formative years in Moscow helped shape the power-forward identity that scouts would later praise in their evaluations.
Path to Hockey
Kostin’s junior career began in the 2015–16 season, when he debuted for HC MVD in the Junior Hockey League, recording 8 goals and 13 assists in 30 games. That performance marked him as one of the most promising young players in Russia and positioned him for opportunities on the international stage. The following year, he was selected first overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft by the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League, but he chose to remain in Russia with Dynamo Moscow for the 2016–17 season. He preferred to play at a senior level rather than in a North American junior league.
His 2016–17 season was cut short by shoulder surgery in January, limiting him to 18 games split between Dynamo Moscow and Dynamo Balashikha. Despite the limited sample, NHL Central Scouting ranked him as the No. 1 European skater heading into the 2017 draft, citing his size, mobility, and ability to both score and create offense. That recognition confirmed his standing among the top international prospects of his age group.
Klim Kostin Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Kostin opened his professional career with HC MVD in the MHL, where his scoring touch was on display during the 2015–16 season. After his first full junior campaign, he was integrated into the Dynamo Moscow system, splitting time between the senior KHL roster and their junior affiliate. His development was interrupted by shoulder surgery, but his draft stock remained high thanks to a strong toolkit that scouts described as close to a complete package.
Selected 31st overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Kostin initially planned to continue developing in Russia. However, after Dynamo Moscow was forced to release its players due to a KHL rules violation in July 2017, Kostin became a free agent and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues the following day. He spent the next several seasons moving between the NHL roster and minor-league affiliates as he adjusted to the North American style of play.
NHL Breakthrough with St. Louis Blues (2019–2022)
Kostin made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues during the 2019–20 season. He scored his first career NHL goal on 23 November 2019, finding the net in a 4–2 loss to the Nashville Predators. The milestone was a long-awaited moment after years of patience through injuries and adaptation to a new league. Over the following seasons, he worked to carve out a regular role in the Blues’ forward group, offering a physical presence and a willingness to compete in tough areas of the ice.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2022–2023)
Heading into the 2022–23 season, Kostin was unable to secure a spot on the Blues’ opening night roster and was placed on waivers before being assigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League. On 9 October 2022, the Blues traded him to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for fellow Russian Dmitri Samorukov, and he was immediately assigned to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. He earned a recall to the Oilers on 9 November 2022 after left winger Evander Kane was injured, giving him another opportunity at the NHL level.
Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks (2023–2025)
On 29 June 2023, Kostin was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, along with Kailer Yamamoto, in exchange for future considerations. Although he was not initially tendered a qualifying offer, the Red Wings signed him to a two-year, $4 million contract on the opening day of free agency on 1 July 2023. His tenure in Detroit was brief, however, as on 8 March 2024 he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Radim Šimek and a 2024 seventh-round pick. While with the Sharks, Kostin achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick in an 8–5 win over the Seattle Kraken on 29 November 2024, scoring a goal, assisting on one by Mikael Granlund, and fighting Will Borgen.
Return to the KHL (2025–Present)
On 3 November 2025, Kostin returned to the KHL, signing a contract with Avangard Omsk for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. The move brought him back to Russian hockey after several years spent primarily in the North American professional ranks. His return to Avangard Omsk, where he had previously played earlier in his career, signaled a fresh chapter in his professional journey.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kostin is widely regarded as a power forward whose game is built around size, physicality, and a willingness to engage in puck battles. He is comfortable playing along the boards, protecting the puck, and using his frame to create space for linemates. Coaches have valued his forechecking presence and his ability to contribute offensively when given the opportunity, particularly when playing with creative linemates who can capitalize on his net-front work.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Kostin’s career was his first NHL goal on 23 November 2019, the trade moves that kept him moving through the league, and his Gordie Howe hat trick against the Seattle Kraken in November 2024. He also served as captain of the Russian under-18 team at international tournaments, demonstrating early leadership qualities.
Klim Kostin Career Wins
Kostin’s career has been built less on individual award counts and more on the steady progression of a top prospect through multiple professional leagues. He has notched notable achievements in junior, international, and professional play, including scoring his first NHL goal and recording a Gordie Howe hat trick. Detailed win totals for specific teams and seasons are not fully verified, so series-by-series breakdowns are limited to events and milestones that are clearly supported.
NHL Highlights
His NHL highlights include his first career goal with the St. Louis Blues in November 2019 and his Gordie Howe hat trick with the San Jose Sharks in November 2024. Stints with the Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, and San Jose Sharks each contributed to his development as a professional winger in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.
Other Wins & Performances
Internationally, Kostin captained Russia at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, recording four assists in five games as the team finished sixth. He also helped Russia win a bronze medal at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, posting four goals and three assists in five games. Earlier in his junior career, he debuted in the MHL with HC MVD during the 2015–16 season.
Klim Kostin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kostin was raised in Penza, where his family owns a butcher shop. His early move to Moscow at age 12 to live with his grandmother allowed him to pursue a more advanced hockey path within the Dynamo Moscow system. Public details about his parents and extended family remain limited.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Penza, Kostin has kept much of his personal life private. No public information regarding a spouse or children has been verified.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a transitional period for Kostin. He began the year still in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, where he continued to provide physical play and offensive contribution in a depth role. His Gordie Howe hat trick in late November 2024 stood as one of the highlights of his time in San Jose, showcasing the complete skill set he brings to the ice.
After the 2024–25 NHL season, Kostin’s path changed direction when he signed a contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL on 3 November 2025 for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. The return to Russian hockey offered him a familiar environment and an opportunity to play a more prominent role within a competitive KHL organization. His move was viewed as a chance to reset his professional trajectory on home soil.
Looking ahead, Kostin’s outlook with Avangard Omsk centers on consistency, health, and contribution to a contending KHL club. With his blend of size, scoring touch, and experience across multiple leagues, he has the tools to remain an impactful winger in the KHL for the foreseeable future.