Video: Kuznetsov scores first pro goal

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Another member of the Saint John Sea Dogs' 2022 Memorial Cup championship squad has scored their first professional goal.

Yan Kuznetsov scored what proved to be the game-winner in the Calgary Wranglers' 5-3 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Former Sea Dogs defenseman Jeremie Poirier recorded an assist on the goal.

📹 Kuznetsov with a blast from the blue! pic.twitter.com/bhpwBsLA3v

— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) November 23, 2022

“Definitely nice to get that first one.”

Yan Kuznetsov chats post game after scoring his first career AHL goal. pic.twitter.com/kgfo7X0kZ9

— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) November 23, 2022

The 20-year-old appeared in 12 AHL games last season before being assigned to the Sea Dogs. In 14 games with the Wranglers this year, Kuznetsov has a goal and four assists.

Kuznetsov's night was perhaps overshadowed by another player scoring their first professional goal: former (and potentially future) Kingston Frontenacs forward Shane Wright, who had just been sent down to the AHL by the Seattle Kraken.

The Wranglers now sit second in the AHL's Pacific Division with a 9-5-1-0 record.

Kuznetsov, a second-round pick of the Flames in the 2020 NHL Draft, recorded two goals and 11 assists in 25 regular season games with Saint John last season.

Kuznetsov joins Poirier (Calgary Wranglers), William Dufour (Bridgeport Islanders), Vincent Sevigny  (Bridgeport Islanders), Philipps Daoust (Belleville Senators), William Villeneuve (Toronto Marlies) and Riley Bezeau (Charlotte Checkers) as members of Saint John's 2022 Memorial Cup championship team to score their first professional goals in the AHL this season.

Ryan Francis, who has been recalled to the AHL's Laval Rocket, scored his first professional goal with the ECHL's Trois-Rivieres Lions earlier this season.