The young Russian will get a chance to show off his skills
Columbus Blue Jacket goalie prospect and 2022 5th round draft pick Sergei Ivanov has been chosen to represent Team Russia in the 2023 Sochi Hockey Open. He will play alongside Artemiy Pleshkov and Nikita Podlyagin in net.
Team Russia will play a tournament against Sochi, Admiral Vladivostok, Avangard Omsk and SKA St Petersburg. The games will be held from August 3rd to August 8th in Sochi. According to sochihockeyopen.com, “during the group stage, the participants will have to fight each other, gaining points and taking certain places in the standings”.
Sergei Ivanov is described as “as undersized, athletic goalie”. Ivanov is listed at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds. He’s just about the same size as Jet Greaves, but about 20 pounds lighter. The Jackets also have Nolan Lalonde in Junior waiting as well.
Could he be the next serviceable goalie in the CBJ system? It may be a few years before we know. But in the meantime, if you can find a way to watch this tournament, you may be able to watch Ivanov play a game or two.