Ruslan Gazizov spent the previous three seasons playing for one of the top junior hockey clubs anywhere in the world. The now 20-year-old Russian forward was a highly-productive player for the OHL’s London Knights, helping them win the OHL championship last season and competing for the Memorial Cup.

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In his final year with the Knights, Gazizov broke out for a career-best 36 goals and 81 points in 63 games during the regular season. He was nearly a point-per-game in the OHL playoffs and scored three more goals in the Memorial Cup tournament. 

It was all good enough to land the undrafted winger an AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls. He was promptly assigned to the Tulsa Oilers ahead of the ECHL season and all the rookie has done is produce.

Gazizov has points in all but one game so far, which including a two-goal, three-point professional debut against the Rapid City Rush. 

With seven points through his first five games in pro hockey, Gazizov was named the ECHL’s rookie of the month for October.

Ruslan Gazizov of the @tulsa_oilers is the @hockeytape Rookie of the Month 👏🏼 🐶

📝: https://t.co/iAdAR9QrXv pic.twitter.com/bK0WN7ADqI

— ECHL (@ECHL) November 1, 2024

Despite being a first-year player, he’s already accumulated some other honors as he was the ECHL’s Player of the Week for his strong opening weekend against Rapid City.

Gazizov is going to be a player to watch closely going forward. His offensive skill is clearly translating, but it will also be his play away from the puck that is scrutinized. That said, a player with his track record and already on an AHL contract makes him ripe for a chance to ascend the ranks here rather quickly.

The San Diego Gulls are off to a bit of a rough start to the season, with just two wins through their first eight games. They’ve had one of the heavier schedules in the AHL to start the season, though.

With a number of contracted players currently playing for Tulsa, one wonders if the Gulls might consider making a move sooner than later if they think Gazizov can help juice their scoring attack which is averaging 2.75 goals for per game and are a minus-8 in goal differential presently. 

Tulsa, meanwhile, is 3-1-1 and outscoring opponents 24-14 early on.

Gazizov and the Oilers are next in action Saturday night as they play host to the Iowa Heartlanders right here on FloHockey.

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