23-year-old New Jersey Devils draft pick retires to become Instagram Influencer
Here's something you don't hear very often. 23-year-old Nikita Popugaev, who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the fourth-round in 2017, has decided to retire from hockey. His reason? He's dedicated to becoming an Instagram influencer.
"What's that smell, brother? A legendary day, a new day. I got 100 messages from you guys: where's the contract, where's the team, where are you going?," said Popugaev in Russian on Instagram. "It's official - I'm done, I decided to try something new. Really need support, so friends, if you can, leave comments, likes, repost - I will be very pleased. There's a new video coming out today, the first video. I`m waiting for your support and today we`re gassing up."
Popugaev also changed his instagram bio to "Ex-hockey player", adding "new life from scratch."
Popugaev spent last season split between Moscow Dynamo and Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik of the KHL. in 2019-20, he played with the Adirondack Thunder, New jersey's ECHL affiliate. The year before that, he played with the Binghamton Devils of the AHL.
This is certainly a bold move on Popugaev's part. We'll have to wait and see if it pays off. You can check out his Instagram profile here.
Source: Championat
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29 MAI 2026
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