Last Updated on November 10, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Arseny Gritsyuk is a Russian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on March 15, 2001, in Zheleznogorsk, Russia, he comes from a family with strong connections to ice hockey.
Gritsyuk’s father is Sergei Gritsyuk, a former hockey player, while his mother is Larisa Gritsyuk. He also has an older sister named Anastasia. His family has played an important role in his development, supporting him throughout his journey from youth hockey in Russia to the NHL.
Beyond his professional career, Gritsyuk is a father to a daughter named Yeseniya, born in February 2024. Her mother is Russian rhythmic gymnast Viktoria Danilchuk, whom Gritsyuk previously married. Although the couple experienced a publicly reported separation in 2024, they appeared together in a family photograph in December 2025.
Arseny Gritsyuk’s Girlfriend or Wife: Who Is Viktoria Danilchuk?
Arseny Gritsyuk’s best-known romantic partner is Viktoria Danilchuk, a Russian former competitive rhythmic gymnast from Omsk.
Viktoria, also known as Victoria Danilchuk, earned the Russian Master of Sports designation in rhythmic gymnastics. During her athletic career, she competed in gymnastics tournaments and achieved success at various levels.
She subsequently became involved in coaching and training young gymnasts.
According to Russian biographical publications, Gritsyuk and Danilchuk began their relationship while he was developing his professional hockey career in Omsk.
At the time, Gritsyuk was progressing through the Avangard Omsk organization, having previously represented its junior team, Omskie Yastreby.
The couple’s relationship became publicly known through social media photographs and interviews.
They eventually married, although their exact wedding date and location have not been reliably established in major hockey publications.
In February 2024, Gritsyuk and Danilchuk welcomed their first child, a daughter named Yeseniya.
Did Arseny Gritsyuk and Viktoria Danilchuk Divorce?
In September 2024, Russian sports publications including Sport-Express and Metaratings reported that Gritsyuk and Danilchuk had separated and were involved in a marital dispute.
Danilchuk publicly discussed disagreements surrounding their relationship and family responsibilities.
However, later reporting presented a different picture of the family’s circumstances.
On December 8, 2025, Championat reported that Gritsyuk had shared a photograph with Viktoria and their daughter Yeseniya during a New Jersey Devils Christmas celebration.
The publication described Viktoria as his wife, and Gritsyuk spoke positively about spending time with his family.
The photograph confirmed that the family was spending time together, but it did not establish whether the couple had legally reconciled or remarried following the earlier separation reports.
Therefore, while Viktoria Danilchuk is confirmed as Gritsyuk’s wife or former wife and the mother of his daughter, their precise current legal marital status has not been independently verified.
Arseny Gritsyuk’s Children
Daughter: Yeseniya Gritsyuk
Arseny Gritsyuk has one publicly confirmed child, a daughter named Yeseniya, whose name is also transliterated as Eseniya or Yesenia.
Yeseniya was born on February 14, 2024, while Gritsyuk was playing for SKA Saint Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
The hockey club officially announced her arrival and congratulated Gritsyuk and Viktoria Danilchuk on becoming parents.
Her birth came during an important period of Gritsyuk’s professional career, shortly before the KHL playoffs.
In a May 2024 interview reported by Petersburg Diary, Gritsyuk discussed the difficulties of balancing professional hockey responsibilities with becoming a father.
He explained that his daughter had been born shortly before the playoffs, making it challenging to spend as much time with his family as he wanted.
He acknowledged that focusing intensely on hockey had sometimes limited his involvement in family life.
Nevertheless, becoming a father remained an important personal milestone.
Yeseniya’s Life in New Jersey
In October 2025, Gritsyuk shared details about his daughter’s adjustment to life in the United States after joining the New Jersey Devils.
He explained that Yeseniya was adjusting to the time difference between Russia and North America.
During an October 17, 2025, report by Championat, Gritsyuk described how his teammate Ondrej Palat offered toys that his own children no longer needed.
Palat’s gesture helped Gritsyuk’s daughter settle into her new surroundings.
Gritsyuk expressed appreciation for the kindness shown by his teammate and shared photographs of Yeseniya enjoying the toys.
Later that month, New Jersey Devils co-owner David Blitzer also sent gifts for Yeseniya.
Gritsyuk publicly thanked the organization for supporting his family during their transition to the NHL.
In December 2025, Yeseniya attended the Devils’ Christmas celebration with her parents.
The family photograph showed her meeting Santa Claus, marking another memorable experience during her early years in North America.
There are no reliable public reports confirming that Gritsyuk has additional children.
Arseny Gritsyuk’s Parents
Arseny Gritsyuk was raised by his parents, Sergei and Larisa Gritsyuk, in Zheleznogorsk, a city in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region.
His parents encouraged his interest in hockey from childhood and supported his decision to pursue the sport professionally.
According to interviews published by the Kontinental Hockey League, their encouragement was particularly important when Arseny moved away from home at a young age to join the Avangard Omsk hockey development system.
Father: Sergei Gritsyuk
Arseny Gritsyuk’s father is Sergei Gritsyuk, a former amateur hockey player who introduced his son to ice hockey.
Sergei was born on April 15, 1973, according to Russian biographical records.
He developed an interest in hockey during his younger years and wanted his son to experience the same sport.
When Arseny was approximately three years old, Sergei took him skating at a neighborhood hockey rink in Zheleznogorsk.
These early skating sessions marked the beginning of Arseny’s hockey journey.
The family later enrolled him in the Fakel hockey school in Podgorny, where he began developing his technical skills.
In an April 2022 interview with the KHL, Gritsyuk recalled spending countless hours practicing his shooting and skating.
He frequently played hockey with neighborhood friends, competing in informal shooting challenges and practicing different skills.
Sergei encouraged him to enjoy the sport while developing discipline and determination.
How Sergei Gritsyuk Influenced His Son’s Career
One of Sergei’s most important decisions came when Arseny was approximately 12 years old.
After attracting attention from hockey scouts, Arseny received an opportunity to join the Avangard Omsk development program.
Accepting the offer meant leaving his hometown and living at a sports boarding school.
Arseny initially hesitated because he did not want to be separated from his parents.
However, Sergei explained that the opportunity could significantly improve his son’s prospects of becoming a professional hockey player.
In a July 2024 KHL feature, Arseny credited his father and mother with helping him make the difficult decision.
He acknowledged that the first two months away from home were emotionally challenging.
Nevertheless, he eventually adjusted to his new environment and spent approximately seven years developing within the Avangard system.
Sergei continued supporting his son throughout those years.
Even after Arseny established himself in professional hockey, his father remained an important adviser.
Gritsyuk explained that Sergei regularly watched his games and discussed specific situations afterward.
His father sometimes pointed out missed passing opportunities or decisions that could have been handled differently.
These conversations helped Arseny analyze his performances and improve his understanding of the game.
Mother: Larisa Gritsyuk
Arseny Gritsyuk’s mother is Larisa Gritsyuk, according to Russian biographical publications.
She helped raise Arseny and his older sister, Anastasia, in Zheleznogorsk.
Although Larisa has maintained a relatively private personal life, she played an important role in supporting her son’s education and hockey development.
Her support became particularly significant when Arseny moved to Omsk during his early teenage years.
Leaving home required considerable adjustment, but his mother encouraged him to continue pursuing his sporting ambitions.
In a 2022 interview with Match TV, Gritsyuk also discussed the financial discipline he learned while growing up.
He explained that his family was not wealthy and that his mother carefully managed household expenses.
Her approach influenced how Arseny handled his own finances after becoming a professional hockey player.
Rather than spending most of his earnings on luxury purchases, he explained that he preferred saving a substantial portion of his salary.
Gritsyuk has repeatedly expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by both parents.
Although Larisa’s professional background has not been extensively documented, her influence on her son’s upbringing and personal values is evident in his interviews.
Arseny Gritsyuk’s Siblings
Older Sister: Anastasia Gritsyuk
Arseny Gritsyuk has an older sister named Anastasia Gritsyuk, who has also been identified by her married surname, Gutsul.
According to Russian biographical website 24SMI, Anastasia graduated from Tolyatti State University and has two children.
Her children are identified in the publication as Savely and Alicia.
Anastasia maintains a relatively private life and has not attracted the same public attention as her younger brother.
Nevertheless, the siblings have maintained contact despite Arseny’s demanding professional hockey schedule.
In an interview published by Match TV in 2025, Gritsyuk mentioned visiting his sister in Tolyatti, Russia, during the offseason.
He explained that he spent time with relatives and relaxed with family members while recovering from an injury.
The visit demonstrated that he continued prioritizing family relationships despite spending much of his professional career away from home.
Public reporting does not reliably identify any additional siblings.
Arseny Gritsyuk’s Grandfather and Extended Family
Arseny Gritsyuk comes from a family in which several relatives played ice hockey.
According to an April 2022 interview published by the Kontinental Hockey League, his father, grandfather, and uncles all had experience playing the sport.
His grandfather was particularly important in encouraging him throughout his development.
Gritsyuk explained that while his father often focused on technical aspects of hockey, his grandfather provided emotional encouragement and practical advice.
He described his grandfather’s advice as simple but effective, helping him maintain confidence during challenging periods.
The family’s shared interest in hockey created an environment where Arseny could discuss his performances with relatives who understood the sport.
His grandfather and father continued following his games even after he became an established KHL player.
Although the names of his grandfather and hockey-playing uncles have not been reliably established through major sports publications, their influence has been acknowledged by Gritsyuk himself.
Arseny Gritsyuk’s Family Background and Childhood
Arseny Gritsyuk was born on March 15, 2001, in Zheleznogorsk, Russia.
He grew up in a family where hockey was an important part of everyday life.
His father introduced him to skating at approximately three years old, and he soon began participating in organized youth hockey.
Gritsyuk developed his skills with Fakel Podgorny and Sokol Krasnoyarsk before joining the Avangard Omsk development system.
At the age of 12, he moved away from home to attend a sports boarding school.
Although the transition was initially difficult, support from his parents helped him adjust to the competitive hockey environment.
He eventually progressed through the Omskie Yastreby junior program before joining Avangard Omsk in the KHL.
During the 2020–21 season, he became part of the Avangard team that won the Gagarin Cup.
His performances subsequently earned him opportunities to represent Russia internationally.
At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Gritsyuk helped the Russian Olympic Committee team win a silver medal.
He later joined SKA Saint Petersburg, where he continued developing as an offensive player.
In 2025, Gritsyuk signed with the New Jersey Devils, beginning the North American chapter of his professional career.
He made his NHL debut on October 9, 2025, against the Carolina Hurricanes.
During the 2025–26 NHL season, he recorded 31 points, including 13 goals and 18 assists, in 66 regular-season games.
On June 30, 2026, the Devils announced that Gritsyuk had signed a three-year contract worth $9.75 million.
Throughout these professional achievements, his family remained an important source of motivation.
His experiences as a son, brother, and father have contributed to his personal development alongside his hockey career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arseny Gritsyuk’s Family
Who is Arseny Gritsyuk’s girlfriend?
Arseny Gritsyuk’s publicly known romantic partner is Viktoria Danilchuk, a Russian rhythmic gymnast. The two married and welcomed a daughter in February 2024. Their relationship experienced a reported separation, although they appeared together at a family event in December 2025.
Who is Arseny Gritsyuk’s wife?
Gritsyuk was married to Viktoria Danilchuk, who is also the mother of his daughter. Russian media reported a separation in 2024, while later reporting described Viktoria as his wife. Their precise current marital status remains unconfirmed.
Does Arseny Gritsyuk have children?
Yes. Arseny Gritsyuk has one publicly confirmed daughter named Yeseniya.
When was Arseny Gritsyuk’s daughter born?
His daughter, Yeseniya, was born on February 14, 2024, while Gritsyuk was playing for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL.
Who is Arseny Gritsyuk’s father?
His father is Sergei Gritsyuk, a former hockey player who introduced Arseny to skating at approximately three years old and helped guide his early development.
Who is Arseny Gritsyuk’s mother?
His mother is Larisa Gritsyuk. She supported his hockey ambitions and helped teach him financial discipline during childhood.
Does Arseny Gritsyuk have siblings?
Yes. Arseny Gritsyuk has an older sister named Anastasia, who has also been identified by the surname Gutsul.
Who is Arseny Gritsyuk’s sister?
His older sister is Anastasia Gritsyuk, reportedly a graduate of Tolyatti State University. Gritsyuk mentioned visiting her in Tolyatti during a 2025 interview.
Does Arseny Gritsyuk have a brother?
No brother has been identified in reliable public family biographies. His publicly documented sibling is his older sister, Anastasia.
Did Arseny Gritsyuk’s family play hockey?
Yes. His father, grandfather, and uncles played hockey. His father and grandfather also provided advice throughout his development.
Where did Arseny Gritsyuk grow up?
Arseny Gritsyuk grew up in Zheleznogorsk in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region before moving to Omsk to develop his hockey career.
What NHL team does Arseny Gritsyuk play for?
Arseny Gritsyuk plays for the New Jersey Devils. He made his NHL debut in October 2025 and signed a three-year contract extension with the team in June 2026.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
