Blackhawks sign Stanislav Berezhnoy to two-year deal

The undrafted goaltender comes to North America after spending his entire hockey career in Russia. Growing up in the Metallurg Novokuznetsk system, Berezhnoy broke into the higher ranks of Russian hockey with Omskie Yastreby, playing for the program’s junior team in the MHL, the country’s top junior league. He broke into the professional ranks with Omskie Krylia of the Supreme Hockey League (VHL), the second tier of Russian hockey, in 2022-23.

Berezhnoy has gone on to spend parts of the past three seasons in the VHL, playing for Omskie and SKA-Neva St. Petersburg, SKA St. Petersburg’s farm team. This past season, he posted a 12-10-12 record in 27 games with SKA-Neva and Omskie, posting a 2.50 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage and one shutout. In the playoffs with St. Petersburg, the 22-year-old went 4-3 with a 2.66 GAA and .921 SV%. His play helped SKA-Neva get to the quarterfinals, ultimately losing to Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk in five games.

A native of Novokuznetsk, Russia, Berezhnoy appeared in one game in the Kontinental Hockey League for SKA St. Petersburg this past season. In 54 VHL appearances, he had a career record of 17-18-5 across three seasons, posting a 2.77 GAA, a .918 SV% and three shutouts.

With the signing, the Blackhawks currently have four goaltenders under current NHL contracts for next season, including Spencer Knight and Laurent Brossoit. Restricted free agent Arvid Soderblom elected for salary arbitration earlier this month, while former college star Drew Commesso has one more year remaining on his entry-level contract. While nothing is ever guaranteed in pro hockey, it would be expected that Berezhnoy would compete for a spot on the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s American Hockey League affiliate.