BREAKING NEWS: Minnesota wild fans react shock as super star Kirill kaprizov officially breakup with his girlfriend stesha malikova explained his…..see more

Minnesota Wild fans were left stunned today after reports confirmed that NHL superstar Kirill Kaprizov has officially ended his relationship with longtime girlfriend Stesha Malikova. The breakup, which had been rumored for several weeks, was confirmed through sources close to the couple earlier this morning — and Kaprizov himself briefly addressed the situation during a post-practice interview.

The 28-year-old forward, known for his electric on-ice performances and usually private personal life, broke his silence saying,

“Sometimes life takes you in different directions. I have a lot of respect for Stesha and wish her all the best. Right now, I just want to focus on hockey and helping my team win.”

Fans quickly took to social media to express their surprise and sympathy. Many noted that Kaprizov and Malikova, a popular Russian model and social media influencer, had appeared inseparable during the offseason, often sharing glimpses of their time together on Instagram.

“I can’t believe it — they seemed so happy together,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“As long as he keeps scoring goals, I’ll support him no matter what,” another joked.

Sources close to the player suggest that the couple’s demanding schedules and long-distance commitments contributed to the split. Malikova, who has been working on several international modeling projects, has reportedly returned to Moscow, while Kaprizov remains focused on leading the Wild through the first half of the 2025–26 NHL season.

While the breakup marks the end of one of the NHL’s most talked-about relationships, teammates say Kaprizov has been in good spirits and fully locked in at practice.

“He’s a professional,” said one teammate. “Whatever’s happening off the ice, he leaves it there. He’s all about hockey.”

As fans continue to react online, Kaprizov’s focus now turns to Saturday night’s home game at the Xcel Energy Center — where many will be watching to see if the Wild’s star can turn personal heartbreak into on-ice motivation.