The Chicago Blackhawks are once again looking East to strengthen their future between the pipes — and this time, they may have landed one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
On Tuesday, the team announced the signing of 22-year-old Russian goaltender Stanislav Berezhnoy to a two-year entry-level contract worth $975,000 annually, running through the 2026–27 season.
Though undrafted, Berezhnoy has quietly built a reputation as a calm, consistent force in goal across Russia’s developmental leagues. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, he brings the size of a modern NHL netminder, along with sharp instincts and a technically sound foundation that has scouts buzzing.
Over the last three seasons in the VHL (Russia’s second-tier pro league), Berezhnoy posted a stellar .918 save percentage in 54 appearances — numbers that climbed even higher during his junior years in the MHL, where he registered 10 shutouts and a .920 save percentage over 92 games. His postseason numbers are equally impressive, with a .926 save percentage in 24 playoff contests.
This past season was arguably his best yet, splitting time between Omskie Krylia and SKA-Neva St. Petersburg, where he posted a scorching .928 save percentage in 27 regular-season games — a sign that he’s just getting better.
While he lacks KHL experience, the Blackhawks were clearly sold on his composure, athleticism, and consistency. With Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom expected to hold down the NHL tandem, Berezhnoy is slated to join Drew Commesso in Rockford with the AHL’s IceHogs.
This move also signals that Chicago is doubling down on its European goalie pipeline — they just selected another Russian netminder, Ilya Kanarsky, in the 2025 NHL Draft. If both prospects develop as planned, the Blackhawks’ long-term future in the crease could be a fortress.
In Berezhnoy, they may have found a hidden gem — a quiet giant ready to make noise.
