Man of the Week: Konstantin Okulov

KHL.ru’s weekly column goes on with Konstantin Okulov. After an exceptional performance in the Gagarin Cup playoffs’ series against his former team, CSKA, the Avangard man put on a seven-point performance, delivering when it mattered more and earning Best Forward honors for the second round.

Konstantin Okulov’s impact on this postseason was impossible to ignore, and it was fully reflected in the recognition he received after the second round. Following Avangard’s convincing 4-1 series victory over his former club CSKA, Okulov was named the best forward of the round. He posted an impressive seven points in five games, including four goals, two game-winners, and an impressive average time on ice of 22:24. And everything arrived when it mattered the most. After defeating CSKA, Avangard and Okulov will face Gagarin Cup reigning champion Lokomotiv in the semifinals.

Early years

Konstantin Okulov was born in Novosibirsk on Feb. 18, 1995, and grew up as a player in the Sibir system. The organization is known for maximizing internal talent rather than relying on high-profile acquisitions as the club often relies on homegrown talent or overlooked players to punch above its weight. After a few successful stints in the JHL, he had his full-time debut with Sibir in 2015-2016, when he posted his first KHL goal as he completed the season with three goals (two in the postseason) in 48 combined games.

The homegrown talent raised the bar to 17 goals and 28 points in the next season, and as he transitioned from a promising young forward into a dependable top-line contributor, such progression inevitably led to a move to CSKA, where expectations shift from development to dominance.

Move to Moscow

In the Russian capital, Okulov entered a system built around precision and results, and he adapted seamlessly as he signed with CSKA in the 2017 offseason. Across several campaigns, he delivered consistent offensive production, including campaigns of 49 points (15+34) and 31 points (20+11) in shortened schedules, while maintaining a stable role in the top six.

Yet it was in the playoffs that his value truly crystallized. CSKA’s dynasty years were defined by firm structure, depth, and an unparalleled ability to execute under pressure, and Okulov was a key part of that machinery. The Novosibirsk native captured the Gagarin Cup three times, placing himself in a select group of players who have reached that summit repeatedly. The back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 stand out in particular, with CSKA claiming two straight Cups and Okulov being a key piece of the puzzle for the Muscovites.

Only a handful of active players can point to three Gagarin Cup triumphs. Among them are Okulov and Lokomotiv’s blueliner Alexei Bereglazov, a player Okulov is set to encounter soon as Avangard prepares for an exciting semifinal clash with Lokomotiv. But the series will also be the stage for a clash between two players who know what it takes to win.

Move to Avangard

After years in Moscow, Okulov’s move to Avangard represented both a challenge and a shift in responsibility when he was traded to the Hawks at the 2024-2025 transfer deadline. Not long after the trade, the forward renewed his ties with the Omsk franchise for three more seasons.

This year, that change in role has fully materialized. Okulov is no longer just a contributor within a system, he is a central figure in Guy Boucher’s Avangard in the offensive zone. The 74-point season reflects not only his skill set: his 24 goals highlight his finishing touch, while his 50 assists, third in the league trailing only Metallurg’s Vladimir Tkachyov and Dinamo Minsk’s Sam Anas, underline his strong playmaking vision.

As Avangard pushes deeper into the Gagarin Cup playoffs, Okulov’s role becomes even more critical. He brings not only current form but also a proven understanding of playoff hockey, where margins are thin, composure is everything, and the ability to win makes the difference. With his three trophies, Okulov showed that he is a player who can win, and will want to do it again, this time flying high with the Hawks.