The Carolina Hurricanes continue to fill out their farm, as they announced today that they have signed Russian goaltending prospect Ruslan Khazheyev to a three-year entry-level contract.
Khazheyev, 19, is coming off a great season in the Russian junior league (MHL) where he posted a 16-5-2 record along with a 0.927 save percentage, 2.19 goals against average and two shutouts.
Over his MHL career, the 2023 fifth round pick has played in 61 games with a 0.923 save percentage and four shutouts.
The 6-foot-4 netminder also helped lead his team Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk to the semifinals of the MHL playoffs posting a 0.917 save percentage.
Khazheyev will now join the organization in North America where the team has high hopes that he can continue to develop his game.
“Ruslan is a big goaltender who moves extremely well for his size and has good instincts in the crease,” said Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell. “He has had a strong junior career in Russia, and we’re excited to see him transition to the pro level in North America.”
His contract will pay him $775,000 at the NHL level and $82,500 at the AHL level for all three seasons. The deal also includes $210,000 in signing bonuses.