League: NHL Sport: Hockey Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Anaheim Ducks assign forward Nikita Klepov back to junior league

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 31, 2026, 1:15 AM

Last updated Oct 31, 2026

Anaheim Ducks assign forward Nikita Klepov back to junior league

Summary

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that forward Nikita Klepov, their 15th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, has been reassigned to the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. Klepov, 18, appeared in only four games this season and did not score a point, struggling for ice time as a healthy scratch. After a standout rookie season in junior hockey, where he recorded 97 points in 67 games, this reassignment raises questions about his development path. Klepov's next steps will take him back to junior hockey, aiming for regular playing time and further development.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Nikita Klepov was a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
•Klepov played only four games for the Ducks this season.
•He failed to record a point and had six penalty minutes.
•Klepov was dominant in his rookie OHL season with 97 points.
•The Ducks are the first team to send a 2026 draft pick back to junior.

Latest Updates

1:15 AMYahoo Sports — Anaheim Ducks Send First Round Pick Back to Junior

What they're saying

"
The Anaheim Ducks were one of just five teams to keep a 2026 draft pick in the NHL heading into the 2026-27 season, now they’re the first of those five to send their player back to the Canadian Hockey League.On Friday afternoon, the Ducks announced that forward Nikita Klepov, the 15th overall pick in this […] The post Anaheim Ducks Send First Round Pick Back to Junior appeared first on HEAVY.
— Yahoo Sports

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