The Columbus Blue Jackets have committed to a two‑year, entry‑level agreement with Russian goaltender Sergei Ivanov, keeping him under contract through the 2027‑28 season. At 22, Ivanov will remain in the Kontinental Hockey League for the upcoming campaign before making the move to North America.
KHL trajectory
Ivanov entered the NHL draft in 2022, selected in the fifth round with the 138th overall pick by the Blue Jackets. Since turning professional, he has logged 108 appearances in the KHL, posting a 2.65 goals‑against average and a .923 save percentage, numbers that include eight shutouts. His recent stint with SKA St. Petersburg in 2025‑26 yielded a 13‑11‑2 record, a 2.50 GAA and a .928 save percentage, while he also contributed three shutouts in 29 games. In Russia’s second professional league (VHL) he posted a 2.81 GAA and .909 save percentage over 23 games, and in the junior MHL he recorded a 2.75 GAA and .921 save percentage across 60 contests.
NHL prospects
Across three KHL teams during the 2023‑24 season, Ivanov demonstrated versatility, posting a 3.00 GAA and .911 save percentage in 38 games with HK Sochi before returning to Russia’s second‑tier VHL and junior circuits. In the KHL playoffs, he maintained a 1.52 GAA and .938 save percentage over two appearances, ranking sixth in save percentage and third in shutouts among netminders under 23. His statistical foundation positions him for a future North American role.