Danny Zhilkin, also known as Daniil, is a top-rated North American prospect. Zhilkin originally grew up in Moskva, Russia. He would then move to Canada to pursue hockey.
Zhilkin played for The Toronto Marlboros organization in the GTHL (Greater Toronto Hockey League), a youth hockey league. Zhilkin was eligible for the 2019 OHL Draft, along with fellow teammates Wyatt Johnston, Ethan Del Mastro, and Artem Guryev. In his OHL draft year, Zhilkin would play 69 games and score a solid 32 goals and 25 points. He would be selected to play in the GTHL All-Star game, and his team would play in The OHL Cup. Danny played in four OHL Cup round-robin games scoring two points.
Danny Zhilkin would be selected 14th overall by the Guelph Storm during the OHL Entry Draft. That summer Zhilkin, would sign and agree to play for Guelph.
During his first OHL season (2019-20), the rookie would play 60 games. He would score just 15 points in a limited rookie role. Although Zhilkin would be selected to play on Team Canada's U17 Black team, scoring six points in five games.
Zhilkin would then sit out the 2020-21 season due to the OHL shutting down because of the covid-19 pandemic. Again Danny would be selected to play for Team Canada during the U18s. Canada would end up taking home the gold medal. Zhilkin had two points in six games.
The OHL would resume for the 2021-22 season, and Zhilkin was now the leader of the Guelph Storm. He was named assistant captain. He alongside, teammates Daniil Chayka and Sasha Pastujov, led Guelph to the playoffs. Zhilkin would improve his statistics scoring 57 points in 70 games.
Zhilkin is projected to be a late first-round to a second-round draft pick.
“Zhilkin is a very skilled center. On his best shifts when you see a 6-foot-1 pivot who can dangle and create chances as he can it gets you excited about his projection. Zhilkin is a pass and shot threat who can run a power play well. His skating is fine — not explosive but good enough. His game can lack pace, though, which is his main issue. He competes well enough off the puck but it’s not his strength. I see him as a potential top nine forward; if down the middle it would be as a 3C.” – Corey Pronman, The Athletic (from ‘The 2022 NHL Draft ranking: Pronman’s top 32 prospects at the midseason mark’, The Athletic, Jan 19, 2022)