Coach Nikandrov joined the X-Men Hockey program as the full-time assistant coach in 2023. He previously served as an assistant coach with the OHL's Barrie Colts in 2021-22, and prior to that assisted for the 2019-20 season with the York Lions of the OUA conference, also his alma mater. Since 2019, Nikandrov has been a lead instructor with Direction Hockey based in Toronto, along with assuming head coaching responsibilities with various minor teams in the Don Mills Hockey organization since 2020. He was awarded the 2022-23 Don Mills Flyers Coach of the Year award.

Nikandrov was an All-Canadian athlete and an assistant captain at York University, completing his BA Honours degree (Business & Society, Global Economy, Law & Governance) in 2020 after playing three full seasons. He was a team captain with the Sarnia Sting for five years in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and finished out his major junior playing career with the Peterborough Petes.