Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Ilya Lyubushkin is a Russian professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on April 6, 1994, in Moscow, Russia, Lyubushkin is known for his physical playing style, defensive abilities, and experience with several NHL organizations.
Beyond his professional hockey career, Lyubushkin is a devoted husband and father of three children. His wife, Diana Lyubushkina, has supported him throughout his career in Russia, the United States, and Canada.
His family also includes his parents and at least two siblings: a younger brother who played youth hockey in Moscow and a sister whom he mentioned during a January 2024 interview.
Ilya Lyubushkin’s Wife: Is He Married or Dating?
Ilya Lyubushkin is married to Diana Lyubushkina. The couple have been together since the early stages of his professional hockey career in Russia and have three children together.
Although their exact wedding date has not been widely documented in reliable sports publications, Lyubushkin publicly identified Diana as his wife in interviews dating back to his career with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
Diana has supported her husband through numerous relocations associated with his professional hockey career.
Before moving to North America, the couple lived in Russia while Ilya played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
They subsequently moved to Arizona when he signed with the Arizona Coyotes in 2018.
The family later experienced additional moves involving Toronto, Buffalo, Anaheim, Dallas, and Nashville.
Who Is Diana Lyubushkina?
Diana Lyubushkina is a Russian woman best known as the wife of NHL defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.
She has played an important role in raising their children while supporting her husband’s professional career.
Although Diana has occasionally been mentioned in Russian hockey interviews, she maintains a relatively private public profile.
Her maiden name, date of birth, educational background, and professional occupation have not been reliably established in major sports publications.
However, her dedication to the family has received public recognition from her husband.
In a June 2022 interview with Metaratings, Lyubushkin described the challenges Diana experienced when the family relocated from Arizona to Toronto.
He explained that he had moved to Canada ahead of his wife and children while they waited for the necessary immigration documents.
Diana remained in Arizona for approximately six weeks with their two young sons, managing the family’s belongings and preparing for the move.
Lyubushkin praised her support and explained that she encouraged him to embrace the new professional opportunity.
Diana’s Support During Ilya’s NHL Career
Moving between several NHL teams has presented challenges for the Lyubushkin family.
In a 2020 interview with Sport-Express, Ilya explained that traveling internationally with his wife and two young children required careful planning.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the family decided to remain in Arizona rather than return immediately to Russia.
Lyubushkin explained that the uncertainty surrounding international travel made remaining in the United States a more practical option.
His former teammates and coaches have also recognized his commitment to family life.
In an April 2022 profile originally published by The Athletic, former Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers described Lyubushkin as a family-oriented player who preferred spending his free time with his wife and children.
Former Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet also recalled seeing Lyubushkin’s children at team facilities.
According to Tocchet, having his family nearby appeared to bring Ilya happiness and helped him maintain a positive attitude.
Ilya Lyubushkin’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Ilya Lyubushkin and his wife Diana have three publicly confirmed children: two sons named Matvey and Miroslav, and a daughter born in April 2024.
The children’s identities and the birth of their youngest child were reported by Championat and other sports publications.
1. Matvey Lyubushkin – Ilya Lyubushkin’s Eldest Son
Matvey Lyubushkin is the eldest child of Ilya and Diana Lyubushkin.
He was born around 2016, when his father was playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL.
In a June 2017 interview with Sport-Express, Ilya discussed becoming a father for the first time.
He explained that he had been away at a hockey training camp when Matvey was born.
Consequently, Diana and other family members handled the earliest responsibilities of caring for their newborn son.
Lyubushkin later expressed appreciation for their help and described fatherhood as a source of happiness and motivation.
Matvey’s Interest in Hockey
Matvey developed an interest in ice hockey at a young age.
During the 2017 Sport-Express interview, Ilya revealed that his son had already begun playing with hockey sticks as a baby.
He explained that Matvey enjoyed watching his younger uncle return from hockey practice.
Whenever the uncle arrived home carrying hockey equipment, Matvey would try to take a stick and find a ball to play with.
Although Ilya recognized his son’s interest, he explained that he did not want to decide Matvey’s future career for him.
Instead, he preferred allowing his child to explore sports and develop his own interests.
2. Miroslav Lyubushkin – Ilya Lyubushkin’s Second Son
Miroslav Lyubushkin is the second child of Ilya and Diana Lyubushkin.
He was born around 2018, approximately two years after his older brother Matvey.
His birth occurred around the period when Ilya was preparing to move from the KHL to the NHL.
In April 2022, a profile of Lyubushkin published by Russian sports media confirmed that his second son had been born approximately two years after Matvey.
Miroslav subsequently grew up in North America as his father represented several NHL teams.
During the family’s time in Arizona, both sons enjoyed outdoor activities and spending time with their father.
In a January 2024 Sport-Express interview, Lyubushkin recalled taking his children fishing while living in the United States.
He explained that the boys enjoyed the activity and that it provided valuable opportunities to spend time together away from hockey.
3. Ilya Lyubushkin’s Daughter
Ilya and Diana welcomed their third child, a daughter, in April 2024.
Her birth was confirmed by the Russian sports publication Championat on April 26, 2024.
At the time, Lyubushkin was playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs during their Stanley Cup playoff series against the Boston Bruins.
He missed a team practice shortly before Game 4 of the series because his wife had given birth.
Lyubushkin publicly celebrated the arrival of his daughter through a social media post, expressing gratitude and affection for Diana.
The couple’s family grew to five members with the new baby’s arrival.
The birth was also reported by Canadian sports media, which identified Matvey and Miroslav as the newborn’s older brothers.
Although the family publicly announced their daughter’s birth, her name has not been independently confirmed in the reliable reports reviewed for this article.
Ilya Lyubushkin’s Parents
Ilya Lyubushkin was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, by parents who supported his sporting interests despite not having professional athletic backgrounds.
The names of his parents have not been independently established in reliable public hockey sources. However, Lyubushkin has discussed their influence in several interviews.
Ilya Lyubushkin’s Father
Ilya Lyubushkin’s father played an important role in supporting his early hockey development.
Although his father’s full name and professional occupation are not widely documented, Ilya has acknowledged the encouragement he received from both parents.
In a January 2024 interview with Sport-Express, Lyubushkin explained that neither parent had a professional sporting background.
However, they believed that participating in organized sports would benefit their son.
When Ilya was approximately five years old, a hockey school opened near the family’s home in Moscow.
His parents offered him a choice between learning tennis and playing ice hockey.
He chose hockey, even though he initially knew very little about the sport.
That decision eventually became the foundation of his professional career.
His father continued supporting him as he progressed through Russian youth hockey and later joined professional organizations.
Ilya Lyubushkin’s Mother
Ilya Lyubushkin’s mother was particularly influential in encouraging him to continue playing hockey during childhood.
Although her full name and professional background have not been reliably documented, Ilya has shared memories of her support.
In his January 2024 Sport-Express interview, he recalled that he initially enjoyed hockey but eventually became frustrated when training became more difficult.
At one point, he considered quitting the sport.
However, his mother reminded him that the family had purchased expensive hockey equipment.
She encouraged him to continue playing at least until he outgrew the equipment.
By the time that happened, Ilya had developed a stronger interest in hockey and no longer wanted to quit.
He later recognized that his mother’s encouragement had helped him overcome an important early challenge.
How His Parents Supported His Move to North America
When Lyubushkin signed with the Arizona Coyotes in May 2018, the move created a major change for his family.
Ilya relocated to the United States with Diana and their children while his parents remained in Russia.
In a February 2019 interview with Match TV, he explained that his parents had experienced difficulties obtaining American visas.
Consequently, they had not yet been able to visit him in Arizona.
Despite the geographical distance, Lyubushkin maintained close relationships with his relatives in Russia.
He continued discussing important career decisions with his parents and appreciated their advice.
In January 2024, he explained that although he listened carefully to family members, he preferred making his own final decisions about his professional future.
Ilya Lyubushkin’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Ilya Lyubushkin has publicly mentioned a younger brother and a sister.
His younger brother’s participation in youth hockey was confirmed in interviews from 2016 and 2017.
Lyubushkin also referred to his sister during a January 2024 interview with Sport-Express.
However, neither sibling’s name has been reliably established in the available public reports.
1. Ilya Lyubushkin’s Younger Brother
Ilya Lyubushkin has a considerably younger brother who developed an interest in ice hockey.
During a 2016 interview with a Lokomotiv Yaroslavl supporters’ publication, Ilya explained that his younger brother was seven years old and attended the Sozvezdie hockey school in Moscow.
It was the same hockey organization where Ilya had begun his own development.
The brothers therefore shared an important connection through their early experiences in the sport.
Despite the age difference, Ilya maintained an interest in his younger brother’s training and development.
In the 2016 interview, he explained that he had spent part of his vacation in Moscow with his family.
During the visit, he helped transport his brother to hockey practices.
He described the experience positively because it allowed him to spend additional time with relatives whom he rarely saw during the professional season.
The Younger Brother’s Connection to Matvey
In June 2017, Lyubushkin again discussed his younger brother during an interview with Sport-Express.
He explained that his eldest son, Matvey, had become fascinated with the boy’s hockey equipment.
Whenever his younger brother returned from practice, Matvey would eagerly approach him and attempt to play with his hockey stick.
The experience reflected the family’s growing interest in hockey across different generations.
Although his brother played organized youth hockey, reliable sources do not establish that he subsequently became a professional player.
His current occupation and personal relationships have not been widely reported.
2. Ilya Lyubushkin’s Sister
Ilya Lyubushkin also has a sister whose existence he publicly confirmed in January 2024.
During an extensive interview with Sport-Express, he discussed how he approached major professional decisions.
He explained that he listened to advice from his parents, sister, brother, grandparents, and wife before making his own choices.
The interview confirms that his sister is part of his family support network.
However, her name, age, educational background, and professional occupation have not been independently established in reliable hockey publications.
Unlike Ilya, who has attracted international attention through professional hockey, his sister maintains a private public profile.
Ilya Lyubushkin’s Family Background and Childhood
Ilya Lyubushkin grew up in Moscow, Russia, where he developed a passion for ice hockey.
His parents introduced him to organized sports around the age of five.
He began training with the Sozvezdie hockey school before continuing his development with other youth organizations in Moscow.
As his abilities improved, he attracted attention from professional hockey programs.
Lyubushkin subsequently joined the Kuznetskie Medvedi junior hockey team before transferring to the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl organization.
He made his Kontinental Hockey League debut with Lokomotiv during the 2013–14 season.
He also represented Russia internationally, helping the national junior team win a bronze medal at the 2014 World Junior Championship.
In May 2018, Lyubushkin signed with the Arizona Coyotes as an undrafted free agent.
He made his NHL debut during the 2018–19 season and established himself as a physical, defense-oriented player.
His career subsequently included periods with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks, and Dallas Stars.
On July 1, 2026, the Nashville Predators acquired Lyubushkin and Mavrik Bourque from Dallas in exchange for draft picks.
Throughout his professional journey, Lyubushkin has emphasized the importance of his wife, children, parents, and siblings.
His family has provided support during injuries, relocations, and the challenges of playing professional hockey far from his childhood home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ilya Lyubushkin’s Family
Who is Ilya Lyubushkin’s wife?
Ilya Lyubushkin is married to Diana Lyubushkina. The couple have been together since his professional hockey career in Russia and have three children.
Who was Ilya Lyubushkin’s girlfriend?
Diana Lyubushkina is Ilya’s longtime partner and wife. Details about their early relationship and exact wedding date have not been widely documented.
How many children does Ilya Lyubushkin have?
Ilya Lyubushkin has three publicly confirmed children: two sons named Matvey and Miroslav, and a daughter born in April 2024.
When was Ilya Lyubushkin’s daughter born?
His daughter was born in April 2024, while he was playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Who is Ilya Lyubushkin’s eldest son?
His eldest son is Matvey Lyubushkin, who was born around 2016 and developed an interest in hockey from an early age.
Who is Ilya Lyubushkin’s father?
Lyubushkin has spoken about his father’s support during childhood, but his father’s full name and professional occupation have not been independently verified in reliable hockey sources.
Who is Ilya Lyubushkin’s mother?
His mother encouraged him to continue playing hockey when he initially considered quitting during childhood. Her name has not been reliably confirmed in major sports publications.
Does Ilya Lyubushkin have siblings?
Yes. Ilya Lyubushkin has publicly mentioned a younger brother and a sister.
Does Ilya Lyubushkin’s younger brother play hockey?
His younger brother played youth hockey with the Sozvezdie hockey school in Moscow, the same organization where Ilya began his development.
Who is Ilya Lyubushkin’s sister?
Lyubushkin publicly mentioned his sister during a January 2024 Sport-Express interview. However, her name and personal details have not been independently verified.
Where is Ilya Lyubushkin’s family from?
Ilya Lyubushkin’s family is from Moscow, Russia, where he grew up and began playing organized hockey.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
