Man of the Week: Borna Rendulic

KHL.ru’s weekly column returns with Borna Rendulic. The Croatian forward just returned to our League and celebrated his comeback with a goal in his very first game after signing with Admiral in a 2-0 win over Salavat Yulaev.

Borna Rendulic needed just one game to make his mark at Admiral. Signed by the Sailors on Oct. 14, the Croatian forward made his debut five days later against Salavat Yulaev and scored the opening goal in a 2-0 victory. After two goalless periods, Rendulic finished a passing move involving Ivan Muranov and Daniil Usmanov with his signature one-timer in the 42nd minute. His goal proved decisive, as Nikita Boryakin stopped all 23 shots he faced to record a shutout, while Muranov added an empty-netter late in the game.

Rendulic arrives in Vladivostok with considerable experience in the League and a proven ability to score at the highest level. His immediate impact could be particularly valuable for Admiral, which is looking to return to the Eastern Conference playoffs after missing out last season. The Sailors have added a proven offensive weapon at a crucial point in their campaign.

Early years

Born on March 25, 1992, in Zagreb, Croatia, Rendulic started playing hockey in his hometown. He made his professional debut with his hometown club Medvescak at just 15, before moving to Finland in 2008 to continue his development. There, he played for the junior teams of Assat Pori and later gained experience with other Finnish clubs, eventually establishing himself with HPK during the 2013-14 season.

His performances in Finland opened the door to North America. After signing an entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche, Rendulic became the first Croatian-born and trained player to reach the NHL. He made his debut in December 2014 against Nashville and scored his first NHL goal on December 31 of that year. Injuries limited his opportunities, however, and he eventually moved to the Vancouver Canucks organization before deciding to return to Europe.

First KHL stint

After a brief return to Finland with Lahti Pelicans, Rendulic joined Vityaz in October 2017, beginning his first spell in the KHL. He quickly became a productive forward for the Moscow Region club, recording 43 (22+21) points in 95 games over two seasons. Although his contract was not renewed in 2019, his performances had established him as a capable scorer in the League.

Rendulic subsequently spent four seasons in Germany and Sweden. He joined Adler Mannheim in 2019 and produced an outstanding 49 (27+22) points in 50 DEL games in his first campaign. After a season with Orebro in Sweden, he returned to Mannheim, where he continued to score consistently in the next couple of seasons.

Back to the KHL

Rendulic returned to the KHL with Sochi in 2023, and his second spell in the League began spectacularly. He collected 15 (9+6) points in just 16 games for the Black Sea franchise before transferring to SKA in October. He continued to produce in St. Petersburg, finishing the 2023-24 regular season with 27 (11+16) points. He also made an immediate impression by scoring in his first game for his new club.

The following season brought another change of scenery. Rendulic recorded four points (1+3) in 11 games for SKA before being traded to Metallurg. He added seven points (2+5) in 19 appearances with the Magnitogorsk team, ending the campaign with 11 points in 30 regular-season games.

His next stop was the Shanghai Dragons, where he enjoyed the finest offensive season of his KHL career. In 2025-2026, Rendulic recorded 44 (20+24) points in 62 games, setting personal bests for both goals and total points. He was also a major contributor on the power play, scoring eight times with the man advantage, and finished as one of the Dragons' leading offensive players despite the team's struggles.

Now, the Croatian forward begins another chapter in Vladivostok. His goal against Salavat Yulaev was only one game, but it offered an immediate reminder of what he can bring: a reliable scoring touch, international experience and the ability to finish chances in decisive moments. Admiral still has work to do if it is to reclaim a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but Rendulic gives the Sailors another proven weapon as they pursue that goal.