Nikita Klepov breaks Cole Perfetti's record with the Saginaw Spirit. Has he solidified himself as a surefire first-round draft pick for the upcoming NHL draft?
Losing phenom Michael Misa was not only going to impact the Saginaw Spirit’s offense, but also the organization’s entertainment levels on the ice. Fans pay to sit in the arena and want to be wowed. Misa did that on a nightly basis, especially last year when he took home the OHL’s MVP trophy.
It’s been a retooling season for the Spirit, but management was able to recruit a forward who has brought the “wow-factor” to the team, and he just made history.
Saginaw’s Nikita Klepov set the all-time single-season record for most points by a rookie in franchise history on Saturday with an assist to reach the 75-point mark. Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti previously held the record with 74 points, which he set back in the 2018-19 season.
Klepov put his name on NHL scouts' radars during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer, winning gold with Team USA. All he has done during his OHL rookie season is flash and dash, displaying his high-end offensive skill set. He has factored into many, many of Saginaw’s wins this season by carrying the load offensively.
As per EliteProspects.com, his consolidated ranking for the 2026 NHL Draft is 26. There have been some concerns with his consistency, but overall, the consensus seems to be that when he’s on his game, he can be one of the most dynamic play drivers in the draft.
Klepov recently took home honors for the OHL Rookie of the Week after posting nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in three games, highlighted by back-to-back four-point nights against Flint and Sarnia.
When we say he’s been the driver for Saginaw’s offense, we mean that. Klepov has been held without a point in just 13 games. He’s played 53 (at the time of writing this). His longest draught without registering a point is two games. He has 19 multi-point outings
The six-foot winger leads Saginaw in goals (31), points (75), tied for most power play goals (10), most power play points (27), tied for most shorthanded goals (2), most game-winning goals (4), and has scored first the most (4). He leads the Spirit in about every statistical category, except assists, which belong to his linemate Egor Barabanov.
Klepov is scheduled to report to Michigan State University for next season. Saginaw will have to put their “pitching caps” on to convince him to stay, with the hope that whichever NHL team drafts him will do the same.
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