Flames select Daniil Chechelev at 96th overall

The Calgary Flames are back at it at the 2020 NHL Draft. In the fourth round, 96th overall, they have selected Russian goaltender Daniil Chechelev.

Originally from Khabarovsk, Russia, Chechelev is currently playing in the Russian junior league, the MHL, with Russkie Vityzai Chekhov. He’s a February 2001 birthday and is his second year of draft eligibility. He’s tall, standing 6’3″ and weighing at 183 pounds.

Chechelev wasn’t ranked by Central Scouting. He’s played parts of four seasons in the MHL, amassing 89 appearances to date. He was one of the league’s better goaltenders in 2018-19, posting a 2.20 goals against average and .922 save percentage in 49 appearances – he was 32nd in save percentage among 86 qualifying goalies. So far this season he’s posted a .953 save percentage in five games.

He’s a Russian and an overager and a goalie, which automatically makes him a bit of a project. But in the fourth round, Chechelev seems to be a gamble the Flames are willing to take on.

For the curious, this selection was with the draft pick the Flames got from the Michael Frolik trade with Buffalo.