Kirill Tyutyayev May Finally Get to Show Red Wings What He Can Do

Grand Rapid Griffins coaches looked forward to watching dynamic Russian forward Kirill Tyutyayev get his feet wet in the American Hockey League last season.

But he barely dipped his toe in the water when an injury cancelled his season.

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Tyutyayev played nine games, recording three assists, before being sidelined with an undisclosed season-ending injury in November. But the Detroit Red Wings organization saw enough flash in his game to give the puck wizard another one-year AHL contract.

The 2019 Red Wings seventh-round pick showed creativity at the Red Wings’ camp in Traverse City. He can control play with his anticipation and vision. He is a slick puck-handler and passer. Tyutyayev possesses a scoring touch. He’s still only 21, although he turns 22 in August.

Kirill Tyutyayev (2019, 7th round) scores his 2nd goal of the game by driving to the net. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/7vm6tBqWAW

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) September 17, 2021

The Griffins struggled to score sometimes last season. The team missed the AHL playoffs. He could help them improve in that area if he develops consistency.

Small Stature, Big Impact

He put his talent in the spotlight in his first AHL game when he notched two assists, and  was +2, in a game against the Rockford Ice Dogs.

When the Red Wings drafted Tyutyayev, he was only 5-foot-8, 146 pounds. He has added some weight, muscle and is listed now at 5-10.

He is from Yekaterinburg, Russia. Tyutyayev boasted 32 points (11-21—32) and 12 penalty minutes in 43 games during the 2020-21 season for Yunost Minsk. He contributed two more goals, plus eight assists, during the playoffs while helping his team win the Belarus title.

The fourth-year pro began his career in Russia with Gornyak Uchaly in the VHL, the second-highest level of Russian hockey. During his only season with the team, he generated 20 points (3-17—20), plus  two penalty minutes, in 27 games. Tyutyayev played his junior hockey with Avto Yekaterinburg of the MHL, Russia’s top junior league. During three seasons with Avto Yekaterinburg from 2017-20, Tyutyayev posted 22 goals and 47 assists in 68 games