Philipp Kurashev Bio
Philipp Kurashev is a Swiss–Russian professional ice hockey player who plays the centre position for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 12 October 1999 in Davos, Switzerland, Kurashev was selected 120th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He began his professional career in 2019 and has represented Switzerland in multiple international tournaments, including the IIHF World Championship.
Early Life and Background
Philipp Kurashev was born in Davos, a town in the Swiss Alps that has long been associated with winter sports and ice hockey development. The high-altitude rink and the local hockey culture provided him with early exposure to the sport, shaping his path from a young age.
Kurashev is the son of Konstantin Kurashev, a Russian former professional hockey player. Growing up in a household with a strong hockey background, he developed a deep understanding of the game and a competitive mindset. He holds Swiss and Russian dual citizenship and is fluent in English, German, and Russian, a linguistic skill set that has helped him adapt to teammates and coaches from different hockey cultures.
Path to Hockey
Kurashev moved to North America to pursue junior hockey, joining the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Over three seasons with the Remparts, he played 183 regular season games and produced 179 points, including 69 goals. In the postseason, he appeared in 17 playoff games and added 13 points. His consistent production in the QMJHL established him as a reliable two-way centre with offensive upside.
On 12 March 2019, while still in his junior career, Kurashev signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. He reported to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League at the end of his junior season and made his professional debut on 5 April 2019, completing the transition from junior prospect to professional player.
Philipp Kurashev Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Following his signing with the Blackhawks, Kurashev spent his initial professional development time with the Rockford IceHogs. The assignment allowed him to adjust to the speed and physicality of the professional game while refining his two-way play in a North American system. His progression through the minor leagues gave the Blackhawks organization confidence in his long-term project.
Before the 2020–21 season, with the North American schedule delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurashev returned to Switzerland on loan to the National League club HC Lugano on 6 September 2020. The loan allowed him to continue playing high-level games during the pandemic pause and helped him return to the Blackhawks with additional experience.
NHL Breakthrough with the Chicago Blackhawks (2021–2025)
Kurashev made his NHL debut on 15 January 2021 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Four days later, on 19 January 2021, he scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers, marking the beginning of his top-level career in the league. He was eased into a depth role, contributing with his playmaking and responsible defensive habits.
After becoming a restricted free agent, Kurashev requested an arbitration hearing before the 2023–24 season. On 23 July 2023, an arbitrator awarded him a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.25 million. The 2023–24 campaign became his most productive NHL season, as he set career highs with 18 goals and 36 assists. He finished second on the Blackhawks in goals, assists, and points, trailing only his line mate, Connor Bedard.
In the 2024–25 season, Kurashev struggled to match his previous offensive pace, recording a career low of 14 points through 51 regular season games. The dip in production coincided with broader changes inside the Blackhawks roster, and in the 2025 offseason, he was not tendered a qualifying offer and became a free agent.
San Jose Sharks Era (2025–Present)
On 1 July 2025, immediately after being released by the Blackhawks, Kurashev signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the San Jose Sharks for the 2025–26 season. The move gave him an opportunity to reset his career in a new organization and compete for a top-nine forward role.
As a centre with San Jose, Kurashev is expected to bring a mix of playmaking, defensive responsibility, and versatility. His prior experience in multiple leagues, including the QMJHL, the National League in Switzerland, and the NHL, gives the Sharks a player familiar with adjusting to new systems and teammates.
Playing Style and Strengths
Kurashev is recognized as a smart, two-way centre who combines playmaking vision with responsible defensive play. He is comfortable on the power play thanks to his passing skills and is capable of skating on the penalty kill. His upbringing in multiple hockey cultures, along with his multilingual communication, allows him to integrate quickly into a locker room and adapt to different coaching systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in Kurashev’s career include his 2018 NHL Draft selection by the Blackhawks at 120th overall, his first NHL goal in January 2021, and his career-best 2023–24 season alongside Connor Bedard. Internationally, he represented Switzerland at the 2019 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia, and at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where he helped Switzerland win a silver medal.
Philipp Kurashev Career Wins
Philipp Kurashev has built a steady professional résumé since 2019, with his most prominent individual milestone coming in the 2023–24 NHL season when he set career highs in goals and assists. His international résumé includes a silver medal with Switzerland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Kurashev’s breakthrough came during the 2023–24 season, when he set a personal best with 18 goals and 36 assists. He finished second on the Chicago Blackhawks in goals, assists, and points that year, playing primarily alongside rookie centre Connor Bedard. He also scored his first NHL goal in January 2021 and became a regular contributor on the Blackhawks’ middle-six forward group.
Other Wins and Performances
In international play, Kurashev was named to the Swiss national team for the 2019 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia. He later represented Switzerland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where the team captured a silver medal. He was not part of the 2025 IIHF World Championship roster as he was recovering from wrist surgery.
Philipp Kurashev Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Philipp Kurashev is the son of Konstantin Kurashev, a Russian former professional hockey player. The connection to a professional hockey parent gave Philipp an early and consistent introduction to high-level training, tactics, and the demands of competitive play. He also maintains ties to Russia through his dual citizenship, complementing his Swiss roots.
Personal Life
Kurashev holds Swiss and Russian dual citizenship, which is reflected in his multicultural background and language skills. He speaks English, German, and Russian fluently, a useful ability for a player who has competed in Switzerland, the Canadian junior leagues, and the North American professional ranks. He is currently focused on his career with the San Jose Sharks.
2025 Season Performance
Philipp Kurashev’s 2025 calendar year began with the conclusion of a difficult 2024–25 NHL season in Chicago, where he recorded 14 points in 51 regular season games. The dip in production led the Blackhawks to part ways with him in the offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
On 1 July 2025, Kurashev signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the San Jose Sharks, beginning a new chapter in the 2025–26 NHL season. The move offered him a fresh environment and a chance to compete for a stable role in a rebuilding Sharks lineup. His performance through the early portion of the season will be key to determining his next contract and his long-term trajectory in the league.
Internationally, Kurashev was not part of Switzerland’s roster for the 2025 IIHF World Championship, as he was recovering from wrist surgery. With his recovery now complete, his primary focus is on establishing himself with the Sharks and returning to the offensive form he displayed in 2023–24.