Artemi Panarin

Artemi Panarin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and alternate captain for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. Born on October 30, 1991, in Korkino, he carries the nickname Breadman, a moniker that reflects his reputation as one of the most skilled offensive playmakers of his generation. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 176 pounds, Panarin shoots right-handed and has become a central figure in modern NHL history despite never entering the draft.

His career trajectory defies traditional scouting models. After dominating the Kontinental Hockey League with teams like SKA Saint Petersburg, he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015 as an undrafted free agent. He immediately won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie and went on to set franchise records in Columbus and New York. As of September 2026, he serves as an alternate captain for the Los Angeles Kings under head coach Peter Laviolette, continuing his legacy as a premier goal scorer and assist provider. [edit]

Panarin was born in the industrial city of Korkino in Chelyabinsk Oblast to Sergey and Elena Panarin. His father, a former hockey player, introduced him to the sport when Artemi was just four years old. The young athlete began skating on local rinks near his home before attending the Ural Youth Sports School in Chelyabinsk. Unlike many peers who were scouted early by major organizations, Panarin played for lower-tier teams in the Russian junior leagues and did not attract significant attention from North American scouts during his amateur career.

He spent his late teens developing in the Russian second division before moving up to the top tier of the Kontinental Hockey League. His pivotal moment arrived while playing for Vityaz Chekhov, where his scoring prowess caught the eye of European and North American observers. Despite being overlooked by NHL scouts during his amateur career, he established himself as a premier playmaker in Russia, leading the KHL in assists multiple times before making his decision to defect to North America. This journey from an undrafted youth player to a league superstar defined his early years. [edit]

Professional success began in earnest in 2008 with Vityaz Chekhov in the Supreme Hockey League. He quickly moved up to the KHL, playing for Vityaz Chekhov, Ak Bars Kazan, and SKA Saint Petersburg between 2012 and 2015. During this period, he led the KHL in assists and won the Gagarin Cup runner-up title in 2015. In 2015, Panarin signed a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the first KHL player to sign with an NHL team without being drafted. His transition was seamless; he recorded 35 goals and 63 assists for 98 points in his debut season, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2015–16.

Following this breakout, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in July 2017. In his lone season with Columbus, he set a franchise record for points in a single season with 88 points. Panarin's tenure with the New York Rangers began in July 2019 when he signed a historic seven-year, $66.5 million contract. He instantly became the face of the franchise, setting the club's single-season point record with 118 points in the 2020–21 season. That same year, he won the Art Ross Trophy and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. In September 2026, Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, where he continues to serve as an alternate captain and top offensive threat. [edit]

Media outlets portray Panarin as a humble, hardworking, and highly skilled athlete. His quiet demeanor off the ice contrasts sharply with his explosive play during games. He is widely respected for his sportsmanship and lack of controversy, often highlighted in coverage of his leadership style. His signature style involves creative stickhandling and precise passing, earning him a reputation as one of the most entertaining players to watch. Social media presence shows a mix of training updates, family moments, and charitable activities, reinforcing his image as a grounded individual. [edit]

iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated Artemi Panarin in September 2026, but he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings such as the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. While he is a household name among hockey fans, the engine has not yet assigned him a specific numerical rank in its current database. The fanbase does not have a formal documented name in iFANN data, though supporters often refer to themselves informally through his nickname. Fans frequently wear bread-themed merchandise to games, and the Breadman chant is a staple at both Rangers and Kings matches. In 2021, fans organized a social media campaign to secure the Lady Byng Trophy for Panarin, which succeeded. He is known to interact positively with fans, often signing autographs and taking photos after games. [edit]

Panarin's nickname Breadman originates from his ability to feed teammates with precise passes, likened to bread as a staple food, though some also note the phonetic similarity to his surname in certain dialects. When he first arrived in the United States, he spoke little English but learned the language rapidly through immersion and dedicated study. He founded the Panarin Foundation in 2020 to support youth hockey programs in rural Russia, demonstrating a commitment to giving back to his roots. He remains one of the few players to win the Calder Trophy without ever being drafted by an NHL team. A viral moment known as Yeast Mode occurred in 2021, where fans dubbed a complex stickhandling move he executed against defenders. [edit]

Panarin is married to Alisa Znarok, whom he met in Russia before they wed in 2018. Alisa is the daughter of Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, a renowned Russian ice hockey coach, and plays a supportive role in her husband's career. The couple maintains a low profile regarding their personal life, avoiding tabloid speculation and keeping specific details of their meeting private. There are no publicly confirmed children from this union, though Panarin has occasionally mentioned family life in interviews without specifying offspring. His relationship with Alisa is considered stable and long-term, with no public reports of separation or divorce as of 2026. [edit]

Alisa Znarok, Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, Peter Laviolette, Brad Richards, Mikhail Grigorenko[edit]

Artemi Panarin maintained a low profile regarding his romantic life prior to his marriage, avoiding tabloid speculation. He met Alisa Znarok in Russia, and the couple wed in 2018. Alisa is the daughter of Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, a renowned Russian ice hockey coach, and is known for her supportive role in Panarin's career. As of 2026, they remain married with no public reports of separation or divorce. Their relationship is considered stable and long-term, with the couple keeping specific details of their meeting private. There are no publicly confirmed children from this union, though Panarin has occasionally mentioned family life in interviews without specifying offspring. [edit]

iFANN Editorial Team research places Artemi Panarin's fortune at approximately $42 million as of 2026. This estimate accounts for his substantial NHL contracts, including a two-year deal worth $22 million with the Los Angeles Kings and the previous seven-year, $66.5 million agreement with the New York Rangers. Endorsement deals with brands like Adidas, Bauer, and various Russian energy companies contribute significantly to his wealth, though exact figures remain private. Real estate holdings include a primary residence in New York City and a vacation home in Florida. He also manages investments in youth hockey academies in Russia, ensuring financial stability beyond his playing days. [edit]

Panarin has won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2015–16 as the league's top rookie. He secured the Art Ross Trophy in 2020–21 for leading the league in points and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy that same year for sportsmanship and high point total. He was selected to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2021 and the Second All-Star Team in 2018–19. Additionally, he won the KHL Scoring Champion title in 2013–14 and was named to the KHL All-Star Game in 2014 and 2015. [edit]