Burmistrov inks deal with Cyclones

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced that forward Alexander Burmistrov has signed with the team ahead of the 2026-27 season. With his signing, Burmistrov returns to North America after nine seasons in the KHL.

Burmistrov, 34, brings 348 games of National Hockey League experience to the Cyclones. He was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. While playing in the NHL, Burmistrov recorded 101 points (37g-64a) over the span of his seven-year NHL career. His most productive season came in 2011-12, when he recorded 28 points (13g-15a) with the Winnipeg Jets. He appeared in games for Atlanta, Winnipeg, Arizona and Vancouver over the course of his seven seasons.

After heading to Russia, Burmistrov spent most of his career playing for Ak Bars Kazan, but also appeared in games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Spartak Moskva, Dynamo Moskva and Shanghai Dragons. Burmistrov has 423 total appearances in the KHL, having notched 154 points (46g-108a) across those nine campaigns. In 2018, he captured the Gagarin Cup with Ak Bars Kazan, and he won a gold medal in the 2014 IIHF World Championships with Russia.