Nikita Klepov’s stay in junior hockey lasted one season. The former Saginaw Spirit winger will make his NHL debut Wednesday night when the Anaheim Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers at Honda Center, with puck drop at 10 p.m. Eastern.
Anaheim announced the lineup decision Wednesday afternoon. Klepov, 18, becomes the fifth player from the 2026 NHL Draft to appear in a regular-season game this fall and the youngest of that group so far. The Ducks entered the night 2-0-0.
The Deerfield Beach, Florida, native put together one of the best rookie seasons in OHL history in Saginaw in 2025-26. He led the league with 97 points (37 goals, 60 assists) in 67 games, claiming the Eddie Powers Trophy as scoring champion, the Emms Family Award as rookie of the year, and the Jim Mahon Trophy as the top-scoring right winger. He became only the third player in league history to win rookie of the year and the scoring title in the same season.
His 37 goals matched the Spirit’s rookie record, while his 60 assists and 97 points set new franchise marks for a first-year player. He also earned spots on the OHL’s First All-Rookie and First All-Star teams.
Anaheim acquired the 15th overall pick from St. Louis on draft day in June, sending Mason McTavish to the Blues, and used it on Klepov. He had been committed to Michigan State for 2026-27, but the Ducks signed him to a three-year entry-level contract in July, ending his path to East Lansing.
Klepov also won gold with Team USA at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting six points in six games.
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