Pavel Mintyukov

Pavel Alexeyevich Mintyukov (Павел Алексеевич Минтюков; born November 25, 2003) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 10th overall by the Ducks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Amateur
As a youth, Mintyukov played in his native Russia, featuring within the junior ranks of HC Dynamo Moscow. Following a single season in the MHL with MHC Dynamo Moscow, Mintyukov was drafted in the 2020 CHL Import Draft in the first round, 52nd overall, by the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Mintyukov signed to a contract with the Spirit on 7 July 2020. With the 2020–21 season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Mintyukov returned for the following 2021–22 season, and impressed in showing his offensive acumen from the blueline in posting 17 goals and 45 assist for 62 points in 67 regular season games. He was named to the OHL Third All-Star Team.

Mintyukov began the 2022–23 season with the Spirit, notching 16 goals and 54 points in just 37 regular season games before he was traded to contending OHL club, the Ottawa 67's, in exchange for nine draft picks on 10 January 2023. He was the first defenseman to be named OHL defenseman of the month, for three months consecutively (October–December). He helped lead the 67's to the top of the league, winning the Hamilton Spectator Trophy. He scored 24 goals and 88 points, best among all OHL defensemen, which led to him winning the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the league's best defensemen. However, the 67's were eliminated in the second round of the OHL playoffs.

Professional
Mintyukov was selected by the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the first round, 10th overall, of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He was soon signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks on 16 July 2022. Mintyukov made his NHL debut in the Ducks 2023–24 season opener on the third defence pair alongside Ilya Lyubushkin in a 4–1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on 15 October 2023. He scored his first NHL goal against Antti Raanta in Anaheim's 6–3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on 16 October.