Vladimir Tkachev (ice hockey, born 1995)

{{About|the ice hockey player born in 1995|the ice hockey player born in 1993|Vladimir Tkachyov (ice hockey, born 1993)}}

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| alt =

| name = Vladimir Tkachev

| image = Vladimir Tkachev Oilers.jpg

| caption = Tkachev with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014

| image_size = 230px

| team = Avangard Omsk

| league = KHL

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league =

| former_teams =SKA Saint Petersburg
Admiral Vladivostok
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Los Angeles Kings

| position = Left wing

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 10

| weight_lb = 154

| shoots = Right

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|10|05}}

| birth_place = Omsk, Russia

| draft = Undrafted

| career_start = 2013

| career_end =

}}

Vladimir Eduardovich Tkachev{{Cite web|url=https://en.khl.ru/players/19014/|title = Tkachyov Vladimir E.:Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)}} ({{lang-rus|Влади́мир Эдуардович Ткачёв}}; born October 5, 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).{{cite web| url = http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=211956 | title = Vladimir Tkachev player profile | publisher = EliteProspects.com | date = 2015-06-01 | access-date = 2015-06-02}}

Playing career

Tkachev was drafted by Avangard Omsk in the third round, 73rd overall, in the 2012 KHL Draft. He then began his career playing for the club's MHL affiliate, Omskie Yastreby. The following year, at the age of 17, he was selected by the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the first round, 39th overall, in the 2013 CHL Import Draft.[http://theqmjhl.ca/vladimir-tkachev-selected-39th-overall-by-the-wildcats-in-the-chl-import-draft/ Vladimir Tkachev selected 39th overall by the Wildcats in the CHL Import Draft.] QMJHL. Retrieved 1 June 2015. He soon after made his professional hockey debut with Avangard Omsk during the 2013–14 KHL season, playing two games with the club before being returned to Omskie Yastreby. Partway through the 2013-14 season, an IIHF transfer agreement was made between the CHL and the KHL for Tkachev to play with the Moncton Wildcats. Roger Shannon, the Director of Hockey Operations for the Wildcats, stated that it was to be "an exciting day to see this young superstar in a Wildcats jersey."[http://www.moncton-wildcats.com/article/vladimir-tkachev-now-a-member-of-the-moncton-wildcats Vladimir Tkachev Now a Member of the Moncton Wildcats.] Moncton Wildcats. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

=Junior hockey=

==2013–14 season==

Tkachev debuted with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats on January 23, 2014. He scored four points that night and was named the game's first star in a 7-4 victory against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.[https://sports.yahoo.com/juniorhockey/blog/buzzing_the_net/post/tkachev-impresses-in-qmjhl-debut-for-wildcats?urn=juniorhockey,wp29587 Moncton Wildcats' Vladimir Tkachev impresses in QMJHL debut.] Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 1 June 2015. Wildcats coach Darren Rumble identified him as an "elite player" after his debut. He finished the 2013-14 QMJHL season with 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points in 20 games. In his first QMJHL playoff campaign he scored 7 goals and 2 assists in 6 games.

==Edmonton Oilers contract annulment==

As an 18-year-old player, Tkachev was eligible for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft but went undrafted despite being listed 60th overall on the NHL Central Scouting Services' final 2014 North American skaters list.[http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=712854 NHL CSS 2014 N. American skaters final rankings.] NHL.com Retrieved 1 June 2015. He was, however, invited to the Edmonton Oilers' training camp later that year. His performance in their training camp impressed the Oilers, and he was quickly signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the team.[http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/09/30/nhl-rules-oilers-entry-level-contract-with-russian-forward-vladimir-tkachev-ineligible NHL rules Oilers contract with Vladimir Tkachev ineligible.] Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 1 June 2015. Oiler fans immediately anointed him "Vladdy Hockey" as a direct comparison to "Johnny Hockey" Gaudreau, a star player who plays for rival Calgary. The National Hockey League, however, rejected the contract, informing the Oilers that Tkachev was ineligible to be signed by any NHL team until the 2015 off-season because the Collective Bargaining Agreement stated that CHL players needed to play a full season in North America to be eligible if undrafted. The Oilers admitted not realizing that this clause existed, and Tkachev remained unsigned. He promptly returned to the Moncton Wildcats to continue his QMJHL career.

==2014–15 season==

The 2014-15 season began with great success for Tkachev as he scored nine points in his first five games, more points in that timeframe than anyone who was drafted in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. After 13 games in the 2014-15 season he had accumulated 16 points, but on November 4, 2014, he suffered an injury and subsequently missed a month of action.[https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jrhockey-buzzing-the-net/remparts-add-tkachev-and-verrier--wildcats-send-tkachev--lalonde-packing-in-flurry-of-pre-trading-period-deals-233929755.html Remparts add Tkachev and Verrier in flurry of pre-trading period deals.] Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 1 June 2015. Upon his return, Tkachev was traded to the Quebec Remparts for Taylor Burke in addition to a 7th and 8th round pick in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft. The decision was made on the basis that the Wildcats needed to readjust their roster for the future and to allow Tkachev an opportunity to play in the 2015 Memorial Cup, as the Quebec Remparts were slated to host the event. The Wildcats' Roger Shannon expressed his gratitude to Tkachev for "adding a spark" to the organization and thanked him for his time as a member of the team.[http://www.moncton-wildcats.com/article/vladimir-tkachev-traded-to-quebec-remparts Vladimir Tkachev Traded to Quebec Remparts.] Moncton Wildcats. Retrieved 1 June 2015. In January 2015, the NHL's Central Scouting Services ranked him 121st overall with questions looming regarding his height and small 163-lb frame.[http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/vladimir-tkachev-quebec-remparts-qmjhl-edmonton-oilers-nhl-draft/ Remparts’ Tkachev still living the dream.] Sportsnet. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

With the Quebec Remparts, Tkachev scored 12 goals and 21 assists in 33 games to help the team qualify for the 2015 QMJHL playoffs. During the playoffs, Tkachev scored six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 21 games. The Remparts reached the QMJHL Final against the Rimouski Oceanic but were ultimately defeated in the seventh game of the seven-game series.[https://www.tsn.ca/qmjhl-oceanic-edge-remparts-in-game-7-1.286080 QMJHL: Oceanic edge Remparts in Game 7.] TSN. Retrieved 1 June 2015. As the host team for the 2015 Memorial Cup, the Remparts automatically qualified for that event. In the Memorial Cup, the Remparts were defeated in the semi-final against the Kelowna Rockets.[http://globalnews.ca/news/2026542/kelowna-rockets-defeat-quebec-head-to-memorial-cup-final/ Kelowna Rockets defeat Quebec Remparts, head to Memorial Cup final.] Global News BC. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

The NHL Central Scouting Services ranked Tkachev 159th overall in its final April 2015 rankings.[http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761663 NHL Central Scouting's 2015 final rankings.] NHL.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

=Professional=

Tkachev opted to return to his native Russia to resume his professional career after his KHL right's were traded by Avangard to SKA Saint Petersburg on September 12, 2015. He later agreed to a two-year playing contract with SKA ten days later on September 22.{{cite web| url = http://www.khl.ru/news/2015/09/18/236835.html | title = SKA has signed a contract with Vladimir Tkachev | website = Kontinental Hockey League | language = ru | date = 2016-09-22 | access-date = 2016-09-22}}

At the conclusion of his second productive season with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in 2018–19, Tkachev while in need of a new contract could not agree to terms with Ufa. On June 3, 2019, his rights were traded from Salavat back to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for the rights to Nikita Soshnikov.{{cite web| url = https://hcsalavat.ru/news/v-salavate-yulaeve-nikita-soshnikov/ | title = In Salavat - Nikita Soshnikov | publisher = Salavat Yulaev Ufa | date = June 3, 2019 | access-date = June 3, 2019 | language = ru}} He was later signed to a two-year contract through 2021 with SKA on July 10, 2019.{{cite web| url = https://www.ska.ru/news/view/vladimir-tkachiev-vozvrashchaietsia-v-ska/ | title = Vladimir Tkachev returns to SKA! | publisher = SKA Saint Petersburg | date = July 10, 2019 | access-date = July 10, 2019 | language = ru}}

On May 29, 2021, Tkachev as a free agent left SKA, and signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/kings-agree-to-terms-vladimir-tkachyov-on-one-year-deal/c-325072236|title=LA Kings Agree To Terms With Vladimir Tkachyov On A One-Year Contract|publisher=LA Kings|date=May 29, 2021|accessdate=May 29, 2021}} In his first professional North American season, Tkachev made the Kings opening night roster for the {{nhly|2021}} season out of training camp. He made his long awaited NHL debut registering 2 assists in a season opening 6-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on 14 October 2021.{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401349149 | title = Kopitar's hat-trick propels Kings over Golden Knights | publisher = ESPN | date = 14 October 2021 | accessdate = 14 October 2021}} Tkachev made 3 further appearances with the Kings before he was re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, for the remainder of the season, collecting 7 goals and 29 points through 41 games.

With limited opportunity with the Kings, in the off-season Tkachev's KHL rights were traded from SKA Saint Petersburg back to original club, Avangard Omsk, in exchange for financial compensation. He was signed to a two-year contract to rejoin Avangard Omsk on 20 June 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.hawk.ru/en/news/45466/ | title = Avangard junior is heading back home | publisher = Avangard Omsk | date = 20 June 2022 | accessdate = 20 June 2022 | language = Russian}}

In the 2022/23 season, he played 78 matches with Avangard, scored 26 goals and provided 47 assists, becoming the bronze medalist of the KHL championship. In August 2023, he was named the highest-paid KHL player according to Match TV. In the 2023/24 season, he played 70 matches and scored 86 points, becoming the club's second scorer. On May 29, 2024, he signed a five-year contract with Avangard.

At the end of July 2024, he tore his Achilles tendon during a running warm-up during individual preparation for the season. The expected recovery period is about six months.{{Cite web |title=Гром среди ясного неба! «Авангард» потерял лидера почти на весь сезон |url=https://www.championat.com/hockey/article-5647290-vladimir-tkachyov-poluchil-tyazhyoluyu-travmu-lider-avangarda-propustit-okolo-polugoda.html}}{{Cite web |title="Авангард" не будет штрафовать хоккеиста Ткачева, травмировавшегося вне сборов команды |url=https://tass.ru/sport/21503221}} On February 21, 2025, he returned to the ice and held his first training session with the team.{{Cite web |title=Владимир Ткачев вернулся в ряды «Авангарда» |url=https://bk55.ru/news/article/242396/}}