Death, taxes, and the Calgary Flames selecting Russian netminders.
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In four of the past five drafts, the Flames have selected a Russian netminder. In the 2020 draft, the Flames selected <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2020/10/07/flames-select-daniil-chechelev-at-96th-overall/">Daniil Chechelev</a> in the fourth round and then selected <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2021/07/24/flames-select-arseni-sergeyev-at-205th-overall/">Arsenii Sergeev</a> in the next draft. After not selecting a netminder in 2022, they selected <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2023/06/29/calgary-flames-select-x-at-176th-overall-in-2023-nhl-draft/">Yegor Yegorov</a> in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, followed by selecting Kirill Zarubin in the third round of the 2024 draft.
Two notable Russian netminders could go in the first three rounds in the 2025 draft: Pyotr Andreyanov, whom<a href="http://flamesnation.ca/2025/06/21/pyotr-andreyanov-another-russian-netminder-flames-might-target"> I wrote about recently</a>, and Alexei Medvedev, the focus of today’s article.
Let’s get to know the 17-year-old netminder!
<h2>Scouting report</h2>
There are two paths for Russian netminders that the Flames have drafted. Zarubin, Yegorov, and Chechelev all play in Russia, and the Flames hold onto their rights indefinitely. Andreyanov also fits into this category.
The other pathway is the Sergeev pathway, as he played part of his junior hockey in North America after moving from Russia. Medvedev also fits this bill, as he plays for the London Knights and seemingly moved to Ontario early in his life.
He stands at 6’3”, 181 lbs and doesn’t turn 18 years old until September 10, five days before the cutoff date. The netminder catches left-handed and was born in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Medvedev ranked 59th in <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-top-80-steven-ellis-misa-hagens-schaefer-martone-desnoyers">Daily Faceoff’s</a> most recent ranking by Steven Ellis. Here’s what he has to say about the 17-year-old.
<blockquote>“Like any goalie who grows, Medvedev needed time to adjust to his larger frame. He was drafted to the OHL in 2023 as a 5-foot-11 keeper but stands at 6-foot-2 now. The rookie OHLer was a huge part of London’s regular season success, putting up some excellent numbers alongside CHL veteran Austin Elliot. Medvedev is a quick goalie who has a bit of an unorthodox hunch-back style, but his pure athleticism wins out more often than not. There just aren’t many flaws in how he commands the crease – scouts love him.”</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/970366/alexei-medvedev">Elite Prospects</a> ranked Medvedev as their 66th-best draft-eligible prospect and had this to say about the netminder.
<blockquote>“Medvedev is a smart, athletic goalie who uses his skating and explosiveness as a strength. He recognizes threats and anticipates them receiving the puck. Also tracks the puck well through traffic.”</blockquote>
Lastly, <a href="https://neutralzone.com/nhl-scouting-reports/ohl-alexei-medvedev/">Neutral Zone</a> had this to say about the Russian netminder.
<blockquote>“NHL backup with legitimate starter upside. Medvedev projects as a system-reliable goaltender who could earn a long pro runway due to his combination of mobility, calm demeanor, and puck handling. With two to three years of seasoning at the AHL level and a focus on strength development and rebound control, he has the tools to challenge for NHL time.”</blockquote>
<h2>The numbers</h2>
Medvedev played for the Vaughn Kings’ under-16 team in 2022-23, before joining the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s St. Thomas Stars in 2023-24. That season saw him post a .904 save percentage and 4 goals against average in 28 games. Medvedev’s numbers improved in the post-season, playing five games with a .918 save percentage and 3.74 goals against average.
Before joining the Stars, Medvedev was drafted 38th by the London Knights. He made his Ontario Hockey League debut in the most recent season, posting a .912 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average in 34 games. Medvedev split the crease with Austin Elliott, who played all 17 of the Knights’ post-season games en route to an OHL championship, as well as a Memorial Cup.
Elliott, who turned 21 years old in May, aged out of the Ontario Hockey League, meaning the Knights’ crease will belong to Medvedev as they look for their third consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup.
<h2>Availability and fit</h2>
The Flames love to draft Russian netminders, and it would not be surprising if they draft another one. If they elect to draft Medvedev, he should be available with their second-round pick, perhaps even their third-round pick.
Medvedev sits around the 60th-best draft prospect on most publications. His consolidated ranking on Elite Prospects is 64th overall. Daily Faceoff has Medvedev as the 59th-best draft prospect, and Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala has the netminder as his 65th-best draft-eligible prospect.
As for fit, the Flames have their franchise netminder in Dustin Wolf. That said, drafting a netminder is never a bad idea as they take time to develop and who knows how the roster looks when Medvedev would be ready.
<hr />
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/combinations">FlamesNation</a>, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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Death, taxes, and the Calgary Flames selecting Russian netminders.
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In four of the past five drafts, the Flames have selected a Russian netminder. In the 2020 draft, the Flames selected <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2020/10/07/flames-select-daniil-chechelev-at-96th-overall/">Daniil Chechelev</a> in the fourth round and then selected <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2021/07/24/flames-select-arseni-sergeyev-at-205th-overall/">Arsenii Sergeev</a> in the next draft. After not selecting a netminder in 2022, they selected <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2023/06/29/calgary-flames-select-x-at-176th-overall-in-2023-nhl-draft/">Yegor Yegorov</a> in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, followed by selecting Kirill Zarubin in the third round of the 2024 draft.

Two notable Russian netminders could go in the first three rounds in the 2025 draft: Pyotr Andreyanov, whom<a href="http://flamesnation.ca/2025/06/21/pyotr-andreyanov-another-russian-netminder-flames-might-target"> I wrote about recently</a>, and Alexei Medvedev, the focus of today’s article.

Let’s get to know the 17-year-old netminder!
<h2>Scouting report</h2>
There are two paths for Russian netminders that the Flames have drafted. Zarubin, Yegorov, and Chechelev all play in Russia, and the Flames hold onto their rights indefinitely. Andreyanov also fits into this category.

The other pathway is the Sergeev pathway, as he played part of his junior hockey in North America after moving from Russia. Medvedev also fits this bill, as he plays for the London Knights and seemingly moved to Ontario early in his life.

He stands at 6’3”, 181 lbs and doesn’t turn 18 years old until September 10, five days before the cutoff date. The netminder catches left-handed and was born in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Medvedev ranked 59th in <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-top-80-steven-ellis-misa-hagens-schaefer-martone-desnoyers">Daily Faceoff’s</a> most recent ranking by Steven Ellis. Here’s what he has to say about the 17-year-old.
<blockquote>“Like any goalie who grows, Medvedev needed time to adjust to his larger frame. He was drafted to the OHL in 2023 as a 5-foot-11 keeper but stands at 6-foot-2 now. The rookie OHLer was a huge part of London’s regular season success, putting up some excellent numbers alongside CHL veteran Austin Elliot. Medvedev is a quick goalie who has a bit of an unorthodox hunch-back style, but his pure athleticism wins out more often than not. There just aren’t many flaws in how he commands the crease – scouts love him.”</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/970366/alexei-medvedev">Elite Prospects</a> ranked Medvedev as their 66th-best draft-eligible prospect and had this to say about the netminder.
<blockquote>“Medvedev is a smart, athletic goalie who uses his skating and explosiveness as a strength. He recognizes threats and anticipates them receiving the puck. Also tracks the puck well through traffic.”</blockquote>
Lastly, <a href="https://neutralzone.com/nhl-scouting-reports/ohl-alexei-medvedev/">Neutral Zone</a> had this to say about the Russian netminder.
<blockquote>“NHL backup with legitimate starter upside. Medvedev projects as a system-reliable goaltender who could earn a long pro runway due to his combination of mobility, calm demeanor, and puck handling. With two to three years of seasoning at the AHL level and a focus on strength development and rebound control, he has the tools to challenge for NHL time.”</blockquote>
<h2>The numbers</h2>
Medvedev played for the Vaughn Kings’ under-16 team in 2022-23, before joining the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s St. Thomas Stars in 2023-24. That season saw him post a .904 save percentage and 4 goals against average in 28 games. Medvedev’s numbers improved in the post-season, playing five games with a .918 save percentage and 3.74 goals against average.

Before joining the Stars, Medvedev was drafted 38th by the London Knights. He made his Ontario Hockey League debut in the most recent season, posting a .912 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average in 34 games. Medvedev split the crease with Austin Elliott, who played all 17 of the Knights’ post-season games en route to an OHL championship, as well as a Memorial Cup.

Elliott, who turned 21 years old in May, aged out of the Ontario Hockey League, meaning the Knights’ crease will belong to Medvedev as they look for their third consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup.
<h2>Availability and fit</h2>
The Flames love to draft Russian netminders, and it would not be surprising if they draft another one. If they elect to draft Medvedev, he should be available with their second-round pick, perhaps even their third-round pick.

Medvedev sits around the 60th-best draft prospect on most publications. His consolidated ranking on Elite Prospects is 64th overall. Daily Faceoff has Medvedev as the 59th-best draft prospect, and Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala has the netminder as his 65th-best draft-eligible prospect.

As for fit, the Flames have their franchise netminder in Dustin Wolf. That said, drafting a netminder is never a bad idea as they take time to develop and who knows how the roster looks when Medvedev would be ready.

<hr />

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/combinations">FlamesNation</a>, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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Alexei Medvedev is a Russian netminder who won the Memorial Cup with the London Knights

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