La Ronge Ice Wolves forward Nikita Kulikov is set to represent Ukraine at the 2026 IIHF Division IA World U20 Hockey Championship in Bled, Slovenia, next week. Here, Kulikov (#16) is seen skating with the puck against Italy during a game at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship Division I, Group B tournament in Tallinn, Estonia, on Jan. 14, 2025. (Brit Maria Tael/International Ice Hockey Federation)

By Logan Lehmann

International Spotlight

Ice Wolves’ Kulikov to represent homeland at D1A World Junior Championships

Dec 2, 2025 | 4:36 PM

A member of the La Ronge Ice Wolves is headed back into the international spotlight.

The Sask. Junior Hockey League (SJHL) announced on Tuesday that Ice Wolves forward Nikita Kulikov has been selected to represent his home country of Ukraine at the 2026 IIHF Division IA World U20 Hockey Championship in Bled, Slovenia. The tournament gets underway on Dec. 7 and wraps up on Dec. 13.

Kulikov is already in Europe and practicing with the team, where he was excited to reunite with his Ukrainian teammates.

“The flight from Canada was very long and difficult, but I understand why it’s all for,” said Kulikov in a release. “[Danyil] Denysenko, [Marko] Mironov and I only joined the team last night, so our first training was today. A lot of fighting, good pace, I feel the attitude to serious work and how the team is focused on winning. We will do everything we can to ensure that our fans enjoy the team at the championship. I’m glad to be back!”

This appearance marks the third straight year that Kulikov has represented Ukraine internationally at the U20 level. At the 2024 IIHF U18 Division IA Championship, he managed two goals in five games and followed that up with a standout performance at the 2025 IIHF U20 Division IB Championship, collecting two goals and three assists in five outings to help Ukraine earn a promotion back to Division IA for 2026.

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

Cybercrime response

Prince Albert Police Service 'limited in scope' to properly investigate fraud crimes

Nov 17, 2025

Back in La Ronge, Kulikov was a newcomer to the team this season after being acquired in a trade last month from the Chilliwack Jets of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) in B.C. In seven games with the Ice Wolves this season, the 19-year-old has one goal and one assist.

At this year’s tournament in Slovenia, Ukraine will be joined by Kazakhstan, Austria, Norway, Slovenia, and France, where a gold medal will earn the winning country a promotion to the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer.

Kulikov and Ukraine will embark on the 2026 IIHF Division IA World U20 Hockey Championship on Sunday, Dec. 7, against Kazakhstan. Puck drop is set for 12:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time.

—

loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com