Kirill Marchenko #86 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates before practice at Ohio Stadium (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Kirill Marchenko had what can only be described as a breakout year in the NHL. The 24-year-old winger delivered a standout 2024–25 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, putting up 31 goals, 43 assists, and a stellar +29 rating over 79 games.
In an exclusive conversation with RG, Marchenko opened up about his growth, the mindset that helped him find success, and his goals for the future. Humble, focused, and quietly driven, Marchenko offered a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the league’s rising stars.
Silent Focus and Personal Drive
Asked why he wasn’t seen much in the media throughout the season, Marchenko didn’t hesitate. “Honestly, I just didn’t have time,” he said with a shrug. “During the season, I don’t really want to talk to anyone. I prefer focusing on myself and what’s happening around me.”
That mindset—quiet, internal, and deeply personal—has become a defining trait for the 24-year-old winger. In a league where attention comes fast and fades even faster, Marchenko chooses to do things differently. There are no dramatic declarations or over-the-top quotes. Instead, there’s a quiet intensity that pulses beneath the surface.
At the heart of it all is his love for the game.
“I just love hockey,” he said, smiling slightly.
“I find it exciting to improve and develop. Seeing the final results is satisfying, but I also enjoy the journey itself. Each year, I highlight something new and add small details to my training.”
That passion drives his offseason habits, too. He’s not overhauling his approach, but always adjusting—always evolving.
“Nothing drastic,” he said when asked about his summer preparation. “There are just minor adjustments. Some things I add, some things I stop doing. It demands more attention each season, and I think it’s helped my overall game.”
Those improvements have been noticeable. Since arriving in the NHL, Marchenko’s game has rounded out dramatically—especially in his own zone.
“My first season, coaches started advising me on proper defensive play—not exactly teaching, but suggesting key details,” he explained. “We found common ground; he clearly explained my responsibilities. Now, I understand what I need to do offensively and defensively.”
It’s a sign of maturity and commitment—not only to individual stats but to the team as a whole. In Columbus, that matters. A lot.
Quiet Understanding and Team Chemistry
Marchenko’s bond with head coach Dean Evason isn’t built on constant back-and-forths or long team meetings—it’s something quieter, steadier, and more rooted in trust. In many ways, it reflects how Marchenko approaches the game itself: with calm consistency and focus.
“We have kind of a silent understanding,” he said. “He mostly leaves me alone as long as I do my job.”
That mutual respect helped create an environment where Marchenko could thrive without overthinking. It wasn’t about pep talks or line shuffling. It was about space—space to grow, space to lead by example, and space to succeed.
It might seem unusual for a breakout star to have so few conversations with his head coach, but in Marchenko’s world, words aren’t everything. The connection is still there. Strong, simple, and understood.
Away from the rink, Marchenko leans on another guiding presence—his father-in-law, Igor Varitsky, a respected hockey mind and general manager of KHL club Vityaz. Their conversations are more reflective, often happening once the season winds down and there’s time to breathe.
“We talk hockey more during the off-season,” Marchenko said. “He’s someone I really respect. He understands the game, and it’s nice to get his thoughts when I have time to really think about things.”
Believing in Bigger Goals
Whether it’s a quiet nod from a coach or an honest chat over dinner, Marchenko keeps a tight inner circle—and that’s exactly how he likes it.
After posting the best season of his career, Marchenko doesn’t hesitate when asked about what might come next. There’s no swagger in his voice—just a steady belief in the power of discipline and long-term growth.
Marchenko feels confident he can achieve even bigger goals, like scoring 50 goals or getting to 100 points.
“I feel capable of it. It would be strange if I said no,” said Marchenko. “Believing it’s possible makes it more likely to happen.”
His confidence isn’t rooted in bravado—it’s earned. Every rep, every skate, every quiet early-morning session is another brick in the foundation. Marchenko knows there’s no shortcut to consistency in the NHL. And to get to the next level, he needs total focus.
That’s why, once the season begins, he shuts out almost everything beyond the rink.
“I completely avoid hockey news during the season,” he said. “I don’t want any distractions. I just focus on myself and my game.”
Still, it’s not as if he’s totally off the grid. Thanks to teammate and friend Dmitry Voronkov, Marchenko gets all the updates he needs—whether he asks for them or not.
“Dmitry is like my personal news broadcaster,” he said with a laugh. “He always shows me KHL highlights, shares what’s going on—whatever scandal or story is out there. He keeps me informed.”
It’s a small reminder that even the most serious routines have room for levity. And with big goals on the horizon, Marchenko is learning to balance both.
Embracing a Bigger Role in Columbus
Columbus management sees Marchenko as a key player, and he accepts this role calmly. “I’m ready for it. I try not to think about it much, but it’s nice to hear,” he said. “Still, it’s a huge responsibility, so I’d rather not dwell on it. My main and only goal is to be better than I was last year.”
Inside the Blue Jackets locker room, Marchenko’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. Coaches and teammates alike view him as a foundational piece of the franchise’s future. And while the spotlight might be getting brighter, Marchenko isn’t blinking.
“I’m ready for it,” he said. “I try not to think about it too much, but of course it’s nice to hear. It’s a big responsibility, though, so I don’t dwell on it. My only goal is to be better than I was last year. That’s it.”
That goal may sound simple, but in a league where pressure can feel crushing, Marchenko’s clarity is refreshing. He’s not interested in labels or projections—just progress.
Even when thinking back on the season that almost was, he doesn’t dodge accountability. The Blue Jackets were close to a playoff berth, but not close enough—and that still lingers with him.
He pauses for a beat, then adds: “Next year, I’ll score more. We’ll win more. We’ll make the playoffs.”
There’s no need to raise his voice or pound his chest. Marchenko’s leadership comes from action, not volume—and that message is starting to resonate.
Resilience Through Setbacks
Of course, not everything went according to plan this season. Marchenko’s season hit a sudden and painful detour when he suffered a broken jaw—an injury that happened not in open ice, but on the bench in a blink-of-an-eye moment.
“I wasn’t paying attention, so it was my fault,” he said, recounting the incident. “Something hit me right in the jaw, and I knew immediately—it was broken. I couldn’t even close it.”
The timeline for his return was supposed to stretch weeks, if not longer. But Marchenko had other plans.
“I was ready after two weeks,” he said. “The doctors always give longer timelines, but I felt good. I wanted to be back.”
His quick return became a quiet testament to his toughness. No fanfare. No media campaign. Just resolve.
Committed to Columbus
Now, with the season in the rearview mirror, Marchenko isn’t looking elsewhere. He’s looking ahead—and he’s doing it in Columbus.
“I haven’t thought about leaving,” he said without hesitation. “I have a contract, and I’m ready to stay in Columbus. I don’t have any complaints. I love the city, the team, the organization. I’m more than satisfied.”
Still, no reflection on the year would be complete without acknowledging the loss that hit the team hardest. The death of teammate Johnny Gaudreau left an emotional void in the dressing room that no one—not even time—can fully repair.
“It was a terrible tragedy,” Marchenko said, his voice quiet. “Everyone was in shock. His jersey stayed with us all season. He was a fantastic teammate, and more than that—he was a friend. We’ll never forget him.”
Even in grief, Marchenko’s calm presence remains. It’s that quiet resilience, both on and off the ice, that’s helped him become one of the most quietly impactful players in the league. And with his eyes set firmly on the future, he’s only just getting started.
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
