Yaroslav Korostelyov, a 21‑year‑old goaltender who spent the last five seasons with SKA‑1946 St. Petersburg in the MHL, emerged as one of the league’s more reliable net‑minders, posting a .926 save percentage across 67 appearances.
Despite a solid record of 46 wins, 18 losses and three ties, the young Russian has struggled to translate that success to higher tiers, failing to secure a foothold in the VHL or the KHL, and his contract was ultimately terminated.
Now, Korostelyov is charting a new course across the Atlantic, hoping to catch the eye of an NHL organization that sees him as a potential depth option.
The San Jose Sharks, who remain unsigned on the Russian prospect, already have a veteran tandem in place for their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, with Eric Comrie and Kyle Keyser expected to shoulder the bulk of the workload.
Should Korostelyov earn a contract, he could find himself competing for minutes with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder, where he might share the crease with veteran Matt Davis.
While the Sharks have not outlined a definitive plan for the youngster, his performance in North America will likely determine whether he receives a professional deal or returns to Europe.
Looking Ahead
The coming weeks will be crucial for Korostelyov, whose journey from the MHL to the West Coast represents both a challenge and an opportunity to prove that his .926 save percentage can hold up against stronger competition.