Grigori Denisenko

Grigori Georgievich Denisenko (Григорий Георгиевич Денисенко; born 24 June 2000) is a Russian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 15th overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He played two seasons with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League before moving to North America in 2020, and made his NHL debut in 2021.

Playing career
Denisenko played as a youth within the junior ranks of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. He made his professional debut in the Kontinental Hockey League with Lokomotiv during the 2017–18 playoffs, featuring in 4 post-season games before returning to help junior affiliate Loko capture the Junior Hockey Championship.

As the 7th ranked international skater by the NHL Central Scouting, Denisenko was selected at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft in the first round, 15th overall, by the Florida Panthers on 23 June 2018.

On 5 May, 2020, Denisenko agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers. He officially signed his contract on 15 July 2020. He began the 2020–21 season playing in the American Hockey League with the Syracuse Crunch, and made his NHL debut on 6 March 2021 against the Nashville Predators. Denisenko later made his NHL playoff debut on 13 June 2023, filling in for an injured Matthew Tkachuk in game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights.

On 6 October 2023, Denisenko was waived by the Panthers and subsequently claimed by the Golden Knights. After being placed back on waivers by Vegas one day later, Denisenko was assigned to Vegas' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. Denisenko debuted for Vegas on January 4, 2024, playing eight minutes in a 4–1 loss to the Panthers.

International play
Denisenko was selected to the Russian team for the 2019 World Junior Championships in Vancouver, Canada. Denisenko was the tournament scoring leader, recording four goals and nine points in seven games to help Russia claim the Bronze medal.