Kulakov returns to Railers

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester Railers Hockey Club, ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, announced that the club has signed defenseman Artyom Kulakov to a contract for the 2024-25 season.

Kulakov, 23, signs in Worcester for his second full professional season. He was voted the Worcester Railers Tough Guy of the Year award winner after accumulating 74 penalty minutes in 61 games to go with twelve points (4g-8a). He originally joined Worcester at the end of the 2022-23 season after having played in 59 games for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. The Bolshoy Kamen, Russia native had two points (1g-1a) in seven games in his first stint with Worcester.

Prior to professional hockey, Kulakov spent two seasons with Erie. In his 102 career games with the Otters, Kulakov scored 16 points (5g-11a) to go with 145 penalty minutes. Kulakov played one season with Omskie Yastreby of the MHL in Russia during 2020-21, posting 12 points (4g-8a) in 29 games.