Hurricanes sign goaltender Ruslan Khazheyev to three-year, entry-level contract

Carolina Hurricanes President and General Manager Don Waddell announced that the club has signed goaltender Ruslan Khazheyev to a three-year, entry-level contract.

According to the terms of the contract, the average annual value (AAV) will be $775,000 at the NHL level from 2024-25 to 2026-27, and he will receive $82,500 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level for all three seasons.

“Ruslan is a big goaltender who moves extremely well for his size and has good instincts in the crease,” said 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.”

Khazheyev spent the 2023-24 regular season in Russia with Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk of the MHL, Russia’s top junior league. He posted a 16-5-2 record, a 2.19 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and two shutouts. Khazheyev’s impressive season earned him a debut with Chelmet Chelyabinsk of the VHL, Russia’s second-highest professional league. He posted a 1-0-0 record, 1.00 goals-against average and .958 save percentage.

In three seasons with Belye Medvedi, Khazheyev put together a 27-16-10 record, 2.34 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and four shutouts in 61 MHL games.

Khazheyev was oringally selected No. 158 overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.