Russian net‑minder Alexei Murygin passed away on Tuesday at the age of 39, a loss that has resonated throughout the sport.
A record‑setting career in the KHL
Over nearly two decades he wore the colors of six KHL clubs, beginning with Amur Khabarovsk and later starring for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Avangard Omsk, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk and Kunlun Red Star.
The 2015‑16 season will be remembered for his unprecedented 302 minutes and 11 seconds without conceding a goal, a record that still stands in the league.
Beyond the ice, Murygin faced a serious health challenge when he was diagnosed with tonsillar cancer in 2019; the condition was not covered by his club, forcing him to fight the disease in private.
By 2021 he announced that his treatment had been successful, allowing him to resume playing, signing first with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and later joining Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk and Kunlun Red Star before turning to coaching.
In 2024 he took on a new role as a goaltending coach at MHK Atlant Mytishchi, passing on his experience to the next generation.
A legacy of resilience
Tributes have highlighted Murygin’s calm under pressure, his preparation‑focused approach and the respect he earned from teammates and rivals alike. Former coach Bob Hartley praised the goaltender’s character, while players such as Timur Bilyalov, David Desharnais and Alexei Emelin have spoken of his influence on Russian hockey.