NHL draft pick who left hockey for Instagram: 'I wouldn't wish that experience on anyone'
Luckily for Nikita Popugaev, this story appears to have a happy ending. The 23-year-old forward, a fourth round pick of the New Jersey Devils (98th overall) in 2017, is having a good season with Sochi of the KHL after taking all of last season off in a move that caught many off guard.
In September of 2021, Popugaev announced he was retiring from hockey to become a full-time social media influencer. . He took to his Instagram account and posted a video where he burned his equipment, along with his hockey bag, making it clear he was done with the sport. Fast forward to September of this year, and not playing at all last season, Popugaev was with Amur of the KHL on a tryout contract. He eventually signed with Sochi, where he has 8 goals and 3 assists in 25 games. He leads the team in scoring. In a new interview with Sport-Express.ru, Popugaev said he missed hockey immediately.
"I realized that I rushed my decision to quit hockey. I really missed the game. I wanted to come back right away, but that wasn't possible. Maybe that was for the best - I had to rethink everything that was happening to me."
He also admitted that some maturing took place over the past year.
"Now I appreciate what I do even more. I have a different perspective on many things: on hockey, on my own attitude toward it. I've gained a lot of serious experience over this time. I wish, of course, that I hadn't had such an experience. I wouldn't wish such an experience on anyone, but it is what it is."
Popugaev also admitted that his family was very happy with his decision to return to hockey and says he enjoys the game even more now.
"Definitely. I enjoy both the hockey and the playing time that the coaches trust me with. It's good to be back on the team again, joking, laughing - all that combined makes me happy."
Popugaev didn't say whether he has any plans to come to North America again. From 2018 to 2020, he played with both the Binghamton Devils of the AHL, and the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL. He doesn't believe he's hit his peak yet, though.
"There is still plenty of time. Some hockey players reach their full potential at a later age, at 27 or 28. I'm just about to turn 24. At 23, it's too early to give up on your hockey career. And to think that nothing will come out of me. I train hard every day and believe that I can achieve great results."
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