Kirill Safronov

Kirill Safronov is a Russian defenseman on Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.

Safronov was drafted 19th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 1999, after a strong rookie year in the Russian Super League in SKA St. Petersburg. He played a season in the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts, scoring 11 goals and 43 points in 55 games. He won the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, and was called up to the AHL the next season, and made his NHL debut in 2001. He played just one game with the Coyotes before being traded to Atlanta. He played 34 games with the Thrashers over two seasons, and spent 2003-04 in the AHL before returning to Russia in 2004. He signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, but was traded to Khimik Voskresensk midway through the season. He joined SKA St. Petersburg in 2005, and played the next five seasons with the club. He posted a career high 9 goals and 23 points in 2007-08, and was traded to Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk at the start of the 2010-11 campaign.

Safronov won a gold medal with Russia at the 1999 World Juniors.