Scoring Sensation: Dennis Nikolaev Leads Hinsdale Central’s Push in IHSHL West

Halfway through the game between rivals Lyons Township and Hinsdale Central on November 2 in Willowbrook, the Lions led 1-0 on a first period goal by John Hepokoski.

Eddie Yu scored at 8:40 of the second to tie the game and Dennis Nikolaev tallied the game-winner :15 into the third period.

The Red Devils celebrated a 5-1 victory – in Nikolaev’s favorite moment so far this season. And it’s been a 2025 slate of the 2025-26 season filled with happy moments for Hinsdale Central, which sits at 13-5 in IHSHL West play and their 39 points at the holiday break put them in third-place only behind Maine Township (45) and the Warriors (44).

“I’ve always been a goal scorer, but this season I’ve found a spark,” said Nikolaev, who leads the team in almost every offensive statistic: goals (16), assists (13), points (29), power-play assists (4) and game-winning goals (3).

“The key to my offense is my linemates; they always find me open in the scoring areas.”

Nikolaev skates with center Henry Crabb and right wing Derek Daze, both of whom attend Hinsdale Central. Nikolaev is a senior at Hinsdale Central who lives in Clarendon Hills.

Last season, Nikolaev had 49 points in 47 games, but said he “felt on and off, some games being good and some bad, but still managed to get points even in those bad games.”

So far this season, he has 40 points in 28 games. “This season has been going great; we’re on the winning side and I’m a lot more successful with points, thanks to my linemates.”

Hinsdale Central head coach James Brooks said Nikolaev has “an uncanny ability to keep the puck on his stick and find the back of the net.”

Nikolaev had at least one point in six of the team’s last seven games to wrap the 2025 league schedule. He has six multi-point games so far this season in IHSHL West play, including a 5-point game this past October against Lincoln-Way. “That night, my line scored first shift and from there we kept rolling, putting the puck in the back of the net.”

Hinsdale Central defeated Lincoln-Way on October 16 in Willowbrook.

“My favorite goal of the season was against Warriors,” Nikolaev said. “I went down 1v2 and walked both defensemen, (then) went forehand to backhand on the goalie.”

Nikolaev, 18, played for the Chicago Bruins, Chicago Blues and Chicago Hawks before switching to the Red Devils. He was a state champion at 10U with the Bruins and then at 16U with the Hawks.

“I’m a 200-foot player who can move the puck and score when given the opportunity, while being relentless and physical,” he said.

Slapshots With … Hinsdale Central Forward Dennis Nikolaev

Jersey Number: 87
Off-Ice: “I have a streetwear wholesaling business, supplying streetwear retail stores with clothing.”
It Helps: “I lift (weights) and do cardio daily, which helps with my stamina and strength on the ice.”
Superstitions: “Before every game, I like to stretch my legs and work on my stick handling.”
Long-Term Career Goals: “Continue my wholesaling business and open a streetwear store in the next year or two.”
Favorite NHL Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Favorite NHL Player: Auston Matthews
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle
Favorite TV Show: Prison Break
Motivational Song: Let It All Work Out by Lil Wayne
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Chipotle bowl
Favorite app: Instagram
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: TJR
Favorite High School Uniform (other than Hinsdale Central): Warriors (teal)