The Ducks have recalled left wing Nikita Nesterenko from the San Diego Gulls, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). Nesterenko, 22 (9/10/01), has scored one goal in nine NHL contests with Anaheim, all in 2022-23, including his first NHL goal March 25, 2023 vs. St. Louis. Acquired from Minnesota with Andrej Sustr and a 2025 fourth-round selection for John Klingberg March 3, 2023, the 6-2, 194-pound forward has scored 15-18=33 points with a +8 rating and 34 penalty minutes (PIM) in 63 games as a rookie with San Diego this season. Among Gulls leaders, he ranks fourth in goals while co-leading the club’s rookies in goals and plus/minus, and was second in points and assists at the time of his recall.
In 93 career NCAA games with Boston College (Hockey East) from 2020-23, Nesterenko collected 28-49=77 points with a +25 rating and 86 PIM. Originally selected by Minnesota in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, Nesterenko scored 13-21=34 points in 36 games in 2022-23 as a junior, setting single-season career highs in points, goals and assists. Among Eagles leaders, he co-led in assists, ranked second in points, and was tied for second in goals and plus/minus. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year and to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2020-21 after scoring 8-11=19 points with a +12 rating and 18 PIM in 24 games.
As a sophomore, he scored 7-17=24 points with a +7 rating in 37 games in 2021-22.
