Vladislav Gavrikov
A stalwart Russian defenseman whose steady, physical presence and quiet reliability made him a coveted asset on NHL blue lines.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Russian ice hockey player·Birthday: November 21·Millennials
Biography
Vladislav Gavrikov embodies the classic, hard-nosed defenseman who wins games without flashy headlines. Drafted in the sixth round by Columbus, he patiently developed his game in the KHL, becoming a champion with SKA St. Petersburg and a mainstay for the Russian national team. When he finally crossed the Atlantic, his transition was seamless. In Columbus, he quickly became a defensive pillar, logging heavy minutes against opponents' top lines and killing penalties with a combination of long reach and intelligent positioning. His no-frills, consistently effective style made him a valuable trade deadline acquisition for the Los Angeles Kings, who later moved him to the New York Rangers, adding his dependable frame to their championship aspirations.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Vladislav was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Vladislav Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Vladislav's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a Gagarin Cup as KHL champion with SKA St. Petersburg in the 2016-17 season.
- Represented the Russian Olympic Committee team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, winning a silver medal.
- Established himself as a top-pairing defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, often leading the team in blocked shots and shorthanded time on ice.
Did You Know?
He served as an alternate captain for the Russian national team at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.
His NHL draft rights were held by the Columbus Blue Jackets for four years before he finally signed with them in 2019.
He scored his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens in November 2019.
“My game is simple: take the man, take the puck, clear the zone.”
