Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Bernald Sanders

Nikita Kucherov is a Russian professional ice hockey player best known for his successful career with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on June 17, 1993, in Maykop, Russia, Kucherov is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the most accomplished Russian forwards in NHL history.
Beyond his achievements on the ice, Kucherov is a husband and father. He is married to Anastasiya Kucherova, formerly Anastasiya Pichugina, and the couple has two children: a son named Max and a daughter named Alisa.
His parents are Igor and Svetlana Kucherov, and he has an older brother named Denis Kucherov. His childhood was shaped by his father’s military career, his mother’s athletic background, and the support of his extended family.
Here is a closer look at Nikita Kucherov’s wife, children, parents, siblings, and family background.
Nikita Kucherov’s Wife: Who Is Anastasiya Pichugina?
Nikita Kucherov is married to Anastasiya Pichugina, commonly known as Anastasiya Kucherova or Anastasia Kucherova.
The couple met in Moscow, Russia, before Kucherov established himself as an NHL player.
According to Russian sports publications, including Sport-Express and Sports.ru, Anastasiya supported Nikita during the early stages of his professional hockey career.
When Kucherov moved to North America to pursue opportunities in junior hockey, Anastasiya traveled to visit him and eventually relocated to the United States.
The couple reportedly married in June 2015, although they have kept the details of their wedding relatively private.
Anastasiya has remained an important part of Kucherov’s personal life, accompanying him through major achievements, including Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.
She has also appeared alongside her husband at NHL ceremonies and public events.
What Is Known About Anastasiya Kucherova?
Anastasiya Kucherova was reportedly born in 1991 in Russia.
According to a March 2024 profile published by Sports.ru, she participated in rhythmic gymnastics during her childhood and demonstrated an interest in drawing and other creative activities.
She met Nikita through mutual friends in Moscow before he moved to North America.
Kucherov’s agent, Dan Milstein, has spoken positively about their relationship and Anastasiya’s support during his hockey career.
Milstein explained that Anastasiya attended her husband’s home games and followed his performances when Tampa Bay played away from home.
Despite her husband’s international fame, Anastasiya has largely avoided extensive media interviews and maintains a comparatively private lifestyle.
Information about her current occupation and other professional activities has not been consistently verified by reliable public sources.
When Did Nikita Kucherov Get Married?
Nikita Kucherov and Anastasiya Pichugina reportedly married in June 2015.
At the time, Kucherov was establishing himself as an important member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The couple had already been together for several years and had experienced the challenges of maintaining a relationship during the player’s transition from Russian hockey to North America.
Although the marriage has been documented in Russian sports publications, the couple has not widely publicized their wedding ceremony or celebration details.
How Many Children Does Nikita Kucherov Have?
Nikita Kucherov has two publicly confirmed children with his wife, Anastasiya Kucherova.
Their children are a son, Max Kucherov, also known as Maksim, and a daughter, Alisa Kucherova.
The NHL officially confirmed both children’s names on October 31, 2025, when the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrated Kucherov reaching 1,000 career NHL points.
During the ceremony, Anastasiya, Max, and Alisa joined Kucherov on the ice.
Max Kucherov: Nikita Kucherov’s Son
Max Kucherov, whose full first name is also reported as Maksim, is the oldest child of Nikita and Anastasiya Kucherov.
He was born on September 24, 2018, during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s training camp.
The family initially kept his birth away from public attention.
On January 6, 2019, Russian sports journalist Igor Rabiner published an article in Sport-Express revealing that Kucherov had become a father several months earlier.
The report explained that Kucherov had chosen not to make a major public announcement about the birth.
In a subsequent interview, the hockey star discussed how becoming a father had changed his life.
He explained that fatherhood brought new responsibilities and positive emotions, and that he enjoyed spending time playing with Max after returning home from games and training.
Kucherov also emphasized that his son would be free to choose his own interests rather than being pressured to pursue professional hockey.
Max has occasionally joined his parents at NHL events and championship celebrations.
On October 30, 2025, he attended his father’s 1,000-point ceremony with his mother and younger sister.
Alisa Kucherova: Nikita Kucherov’s Daughter
Alisa Kucherova is the younger child and publicly confirmed daughter of Nikita and Anastasiya Kucherov.
Her name was officially documented by the NHL in October 2025.
On October 30, the Tampa Bay Lightning held a special ceremony honoring Kucherov’s achievement of reaching 1,000 NHL points.
During the celebration, Alisa joined her parents and older brother Max on the ice.
The family watched as Kucherov received commemorative gifts, including a golden hockey stick and a specially created portrait.
The Lightning’s mascot, ThunderBug, also presented miniature golden sticks to Kucherov’s children.
The ceremony provided a rare public glimpse of the complete Kucherov family.
Although Alisa’s name and relationship to the player are confirmed by the NHL, her exact date of birth has not been reliably established in official hockey publications.
Her parents have generally avoided disclosing extensive details about their children’s private lives.
Nikita Kucherov’s Parents
Nikita Kucherov was born to Igor Kucherov and Svetlana Kucherova in Maykop, Russia.
His father served in the Russian military, while his mother was a former competitive gymnast who later became involved in coaching and supporting her son’s hockey development.
The family moved several times during Nikita’s childhood because of his father’s military assignments.
Both parents played important roles in helping him pursue professional hockey, although their responsibilities sometimes required them to live away from him.
Nikita Kucherov’s Father: Igor Kucherov
Igor Kucherov is Nikita Kucherov’s father and a former Russian military officer.
According to Sport-Express and The Hockey Writers, Igor served as a colonel in the Russian army.
During the early 1990s, he was stationed in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, where the family lived during part of Nikita’s infancy.
In 1994, Igor moved to Moscow to attend the Frunze Military Academy.
The family subsequently settled in a modest apartment in the Russian capital.
His military career involved international assignments that sometimes separated him from his children.
When Nikita was approximately seven years old, Igor was assigned to Uruguay for several years.
Svetlana accompanied her husband, while Nikita remained in Moscow to continue developing his hockey skills.
His grandmother, aunt, and hockey coach helped care for him during his parents’ absence.
Although Igor’s military commitments limited the time he could spend with Nikita, he remained an important figure in his upbringing.
The family’s experiences contributed to the independence and discipline that Kucherov later demonstrated throughout his professional hockey career.
Nikita Kucherov’s Mother: Svetlana Kucherova
Svetlana Kucherova is Nikita Kucherov’s mother and one of the most influential people in his early hockey development.
Before becoming involved in her son’s sporting career, Svetlana participated in competitive artistic gymnastics.
According to Sport-Express, she achieved the Soviet sporting classification of Master of Sports but eventually ended her gymnastics career because of an injury.
She subsequently worked as a coach and encouraged her children to participate in sports.
Initially, Svetlana considered enrolling Nikita in football because his older brother Denis was already interested in the sport.
However, Nikita was considered too young for the football program.
She eventually introduced him to ice hockey, where he began training under coach Gennady Kurdin.
In a January 2018 interview with Sport-Express, Svetlana recalled the financial challenges the family experienced while supporting Nikita’s early training.
She worked at the hockey facility to help cover expenses associated with his development.
During his childhood, Nikita sometimes used oversized or secondhand hockey equipment because purchasing new gear was difficult for the family.
Despite these challenges, Svetlana remained committed to helping her son pursue his sporting ambitions.
Her support became especially important when she and Igor temporarily relocated to Uruguay.
Although being separated from her young son was emotionally difficult, she believed that allowing him to continue training in Moscow would benefit his future.
Svetlana has subsequently spoken proudly about Nikita’s determination, competitiveness, and professional achievements.
Nikita Kucherov’s Siblings: Meet His Older Brother Denis
Nikita Kucherov has one publicly identified sibling, an older brother named Denis Kucherov.
Denis is approximately three years older than Nikita.
The brothers grew up together in Russia and shared an interest in sports during childhood.
Denis Kucherov: Nikita Kucherov’s Older Brother
Denis Kucherov is Nikita Kucherov’s older brother.
According to interviews published by Sport-Express and The Hockey Writers, Denis participated in sports during his childhood, including football and hockey.
His involvement in football initially influenced Svetlana’s decision to introduce Nikita to the sport.
However, Nikita eventually pursued hockey instead.
Denis also participated in hockey training during his younger years.
The brothers sometimes shared equipment because their family had limited financial resources.
In a 2018 interview, Svetlana recalled that Nikita had used equipment previously worn by Denis.
While Nikita eventually developed into a professional hockey player, Denis followed a different career path.
The Hockey Writers reported in 2018 that Denis had pursued work in business and was employed as a sales director for an e-commerce company.
Although he did not establish a professional NHL career, Denis remained an important part of Nikita’s childhood and family history.
During the period when their parents were assigned overseas, the brothers experienced the challenges associated with their father’s military responsibilities.
In interviews, Nikita has spoken about missing his parents and brother during periods of family separation.
Reliable current information about Denis’s occupation, marriage, or children remains limited.
Does Nikita Kucherov Have a Sister?
There are no reliably verified public reports identifying a sister of Nikita Kucherov.
Established Russian sports biographies and interviews with his mother consistently identify Denis as his older brother.
Therefore, Denis is his only publicly documented sibling.
Nikita Kucherov’s Grandmother and Extended Family
Nikita Kucherov’s grandmother played a particularly important role in his childhood.
When Igor and Svetlana moved to Uruguay for a military assignment, Nikita remained in Moscow to continue training.
His maternal grandmother traveled from Maykop to help care for him.
His aunt also assisted with his upbringing, while hockey coach Gennady Kurdin helped with transportation and training arrangements.
The arrangement allowed Nikita to maintain a consistent hockey schedule despite being separated from his parents.
According to The Hockey Writers, his grandmother remained closely involved in his development and helped provide the stability he needed.
His extended family maintained connections to Maykop, where Nikita was born.
Kucherov has acknowledged the importance of these relatives in helping him overcome difficult periods during childhood.
Nikita Kucherov’s Family Background and Childhood
Nikita Kucherov was born on June 17, 1993, in Maykop, a city in the Republic of Adygea, Russia.
His mother had returned to her hometown for his birth while his father was serving in the military.
The family initially lived in Turkmenistan before moving to Moscow in 1994.
Nikita developed an interest in sports at a young age, participating in several activities before concentrating on ice hockey.
His mother introduced him to hockey when he was approximately five years old.
He began training under Gennady Kurdin, who remained an important mentor during his early development.
Despite limited financial resources, his family found ways to support his training.
He later joined the youth hockey system of CSKA Moscow, where he continued developing his offensive abilities.
In 2011, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft, 58th overall.
After spending time in Canadian junior hockey with the Quebec Remparts and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Kucherov moved into professional competition in North America.
He made his NHL debut for Tampa Bay on November 25, 2013, against the New York Rangers, scoring his first NHL goal in the game.
Over the following seasons, Kucherov developed into one of the league’s most productive offensive players.
He helped the Lightning win consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.
He also received several individual NHL awards, including the Hart Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award.
Nikita Kucherov’s Family at His 1,000-Point NHL Ceremony
One of the most memorable public family occasions in Nikita Kucherov’s career took place on October 30, 2025.
The Tampa Bay Lightning organized a ceremony to celebrate his achievement of reaching 1,000 regular-season NHL points.
Kucherov had reached the milestone on October 25, 2025, during a game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Five days later, before Tampa Bay faced the Dallas Stars, his wife Anastasiya and their children Max and Alisa joined him on the ice.
The Lightning presented several commemorative gifts, including a specially designed golden hockey stick and a portrait created from thousands of dice.
His teammates and other prominent NHL players also participated in the celebration through presentations and video messages.
The event was especially significant because it publicly confirmed the names of both Kucherov children.
It also illustrated the important place his wife and children hold in his life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nikita Kucherov’s Family
Who is Nikita Kucherov’s wife?
Nikita Kucherov is married to Anastasiya Pichugina, also known as Anastasiya Kucherova. The couple reportedly married in June 2015.
Is Nikita Kucherov married?
Yes. Nikita Kucherov is married to Anastasiya Kucherova. Their marriage is documented in Russian sports media and confirmed through NHL coverage of family events.
How many children does Nikita Kucherov have?
Nikita Kucherov has two publicly confirmed children: a son named Max and a daughter named Alisa.
Who is Nikita Kucherov’s son?
His son is Max Kucherov, also known as Maksim. He was born on September 24, 2018.
Who is Nikita Kucherov’s daughter?
His daughter is Alisa Kucherova. Her name was officially confirmed by the NHL during the Lightning’s October 2025 ceremony celebrating her father’s 1,000th career point.
Who are Nikita Kucherov’s parents?
Nikita Kucherov’s parents are Igor Kucherov and Svetlana Kucherova. His father served in the Russian military, while his mother was a former competitive gymnast.
Who is Nikita Kucherov’s father?
Igor Kucherov is Nikita’s father. He served as a colonel in the Russian army and held military assignments in several countries.
Who is Nikita Kucherov’s mother?
Svetlana Kucherova is Nikita’s mother. She was a competitive gymnast and played an important role in introducing him to ice hockey.
Does Nikita Kucherov have siblings?
Yes. Nikita Kucherov has an older brother named Denis Kucherov, who is approximately three years older.
Does Nikita Kucherov have a sister?
There are no verified public reports identifying a sister. Denis is his only publicly documented sibling.
Where is Nikita Kucherov’s family from?
Nikita Kucherov was born in Maykop, Russia. His family subsequently lived in Turkmenistan and Moscow because of his father’s military career.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
