Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev Bio
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev, born on 26 October 2000 in Nizhny Tagil, Russia, is a Russian professional ice hockey winger for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, 79th overall, by the Golden Knights, and has since developed into a regular scoring contributor at the top level of North American hockey. Standing 185 centimeters tall and weighing 88 kilograms, Dorofeyev has built his reputation on offensive instincts and timely goalscoring since turning professional in 2018.
Early Life and Background
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev was born in Nizhny Tagil, a city in the Sverdlovsk Oblast region of Russia known for its industrial heritage and strong tradition in winter sports. Growing up in Russia, he was introduced to ice hockey through the country’s extensive youth development system, which feeds talented players into elite junior programs at a young age. His progression through the junior ranks began with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, one of the most respected hockey organizations in Russia.
As a youth player within the Metallurg Magnitogorsk system, Dorofeyev developed the core skills that have defined his career: speed, shooting accuracy, and the ability to read plays around the net. These formative years in Magnitogorsk’s junior program laid the foundation for his eventual transition to professional hockey in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Russia’s top domestic league. His steady development positioned him as a prospect worthy of attention from NHL scouts ahead of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Path to Hockey
Dorofeyev’s journey to the NHL began in earnest through the KHL, where he played two seasons with Metallurg Magnitogorsk starting around 2018. The Metallurg organization provided a high-level competitive environment that allowed him to refine his game against grown professionals. His performance during the 2019–20 KHL season caught the attention of opposing clubs, leading to a significant trade that reshaped his career path.
On 11 June 2020, Dorofeyev was traded by Metallurg Magnitogorsk, along with three other prospects, to Traktor Chelyabinsk in exchange for Vladislav Semin. The move to Traktor gave him a fresh opportunity with a new organization, and he began the 2020–21 season with Chelmet Chelyabinsk, Traktor’s affiliate in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL). Posting eight goals and 17 points through 36 regular season games, he earned his first KHL appearance with Traktor Chelyabinsk in a 4–2 victory over Kunlun Red Star on 7 October 2020.
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Dorofeyev began his professional career in 2018 within the structure of Metallurg Magnitogorsk, splitting time between junior and KHL duties. His two seasons with Metallurg gave him valuable exposure to the demands of professional hockey and helped him adjust to the speed and physicality required at the highest levels of the Russian game. By the end of his second KHL season in 2019–20, he had established himself as a prospect with NHL potential.
The June 2020 trade to Traktor Chelyabinsk marked a turning point in his early development. Moving to a new organization meant adapting to different coaching philosophies and teammates, but the change also opened a clearer path to consistent playing time. His strong performance with Traktor’s VHL affiliate during the 2020–21 season demonstrated that he was ready to pursue opportunities in North America.
NHL Debut and Henderson Years (2021–2023)
With the pandemic-delayed North American season approaching, Dorofeyev ended his contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on 25 January 2021. He was assigned to join the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas’ new AHL affiliate, for their training camp and spent the bulk of the next two seasons developing his game in the American Hockey League.
Dorofeyev made his NHL debut with the Golden Knights during the 2021–22 season opening game, a 4–3 victory over the Seattle Kraken. After spending most of that season and the 2022–23 season with Henderson, he was recalled to the Vegas roster in March 2023. He recorded his first NHL point and first NHL goal on 12 March 2023, assisting on a William Karlsson first-period goal before scoring a go-ahead deflection goal off his helmet in the third period. Across 18 games with Vegas in 2022–23, he posted seven goals and nine points, signaling his readiness for a full-time NHL role.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2023–Present)
Following his promising debut, Dorofeyev signed a one-year extension with the Golden Knights on 19 July 2023 as his entry-level deal expired. The 2023–24 season marked a significant step forward, as he appeared in a career-high 47 games and cemented his place within Vegas’ forward group. His consistent production earned him a further two-year extension with the team on 1 July 2024, ensuring his future with the franchise through 2026.
The 2024–25 season produced several career milestones for Dorofeyev. On 14 January 2025, he scored his first career hat trick, recording a natural hat trick across the second and third periods of a 5–3 loss to the Nashville Predators. Two months later, on 20 March 2025, he notched his second hat trick with three goals in a 5–1 victory over the Boston Bruins, simultaneously reaching the first 30-goal season of his career. In the 2025–26 season opener, he recorded his third career hat trick by scoring all three of his goals in the second period of a 6–5 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings, and after scoring in each of his next two games for five goals in three contests, he was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the ice, Dorofeyev is recognized for his quick release, sharp shooting instincts, and ability to score in bunches. He has shown a particular talent for goal-scoring streaks, including three career hat tricks within a span of roughly two years. His offensive skill set allows him to capitalize on rebounds and deflections in front of the net, an area where he produced his first NHL goal.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dorofeyev’s career is highlighted by three hat tricks, his first 30-goal NHL season in 2024–25, and his recognition as the NHL’s First Star of the Week following the opening of the 2025–26 campaign. His trade from Metallurg Magnitogorsk to Traktor Chelyabinsk in June 2020 and his subsequent signing with the Vegas Golden Knights in January 2021 stand as defining early-career moments.
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev Career Wins
While hockey career wins are typically tracked in goals and team victories rather than individual race wins, Dorofeyev’s verified production includes three NHL hat tricks, his first 30-goal season in 2024–25, and a five-goal burst across the opening three games of the 2025–26 season.
NHL Highlights
Dorofeyev’s first NHL goal came on 12 March 2023 against the Seattle Kraken, a deflection goal that gave Vegas a third-period lead. His first hat trick followed on 14 January 2025 against the Nashville Predators, and he added two more hat tricks within the following months, including a three-goal second period against the Los Angeles Kings in the 2025–26 season opener. His most recent hat trick came in a 5–1 victory over the Boston Bruins on 20 March 2025.
Other Performances
In Russia’s domestic leagues, Dorofeyev posted eight goals and 17 points in 36 regular season games with Chelmet Chelyabinsk of the VHL during the 2020–21 season, and he recorded his first KHL appearance with Traktor Chelyabinsk in a 4–2 victory over Kunlun Red Star on 7 October 2020.
Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Verified public information about Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev’s parents and family members is limited.
Personal Life
Verified public details about Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev’s personal relationships are limited.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 portion of the 2024–25 NHL season represented a breakthrough stretch for Pavel Igorevich Dorofeyev. He scored his first career hat trick on 14 January 2025 against the Nashville Predators and added his second hat trick on 20 March 2025 against the Boston Bruins, reaching the 30-goal mark for the first time in his NHL career. Across the full 2024–25 campaign, his production validated the two-year extension he had signed with the Golden Knights on 1 July 2024.
The opening of the 2025–26 NHL season extended Dorofeyev’s momentum. In the season opener against the Los Angeles Kings, he recorded his third career hat trick with all three goals coming in the second period of a 6–5 shootout loss. After scoring in each of his next two games to reach five goals in three contests, he was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week for opening week of the season, underscoring his emergence as a central figure in the Golden Knights’ offensive attack.
With his contract running through 2026 and his recent scoring pace at a career high, Dorofeyev enters the remainder of the 2025 calendar year firmly established as a top-six winger for the Vegas Golden Knights. His hat-trick frequency and selection as the league’s First Star of the Week suggest continued offensive impact as the season progresses.