FN’s 2026 Flames summer prospect rankings – #17 Kirill Zarubin

After a few seasons in Russia’s Junior Hockey League, Kirill Zarubin will come over to North America.

Earlier this off-season, the Calgary Flames signed the 2024 third-rounder to an entry-level contract, making him eligible to play for either the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush or the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers.

It’s a big step forward for the 20-year-old netminder, who is one of the Flames’ best goaltending prospects, ranking as our 17th-best this off-season. I ranked Zarubin as my 17th-best prospect, but he was ranked anywhere from seventh to off the ballot by others.

That being said, let’s take a look at what the goaltending prospect has to offer.

Kirill Zarubin

Goaltender; catches left
Born Sept. 20, 2005 (age 20) in Penza, Russia
6’3”, 207 pounds
Drafted in the third round (84th overall) by Calgary in the 2024 NHL Draft

The Flames have targeted Russians in the draft over the course of general manager Craig Conroy’s tenure. In the first two drafts, 2023 and 2024, they selected a Russian netminder who was coming off a season in Russia’s Junior Hockey League (MHL), Yegor Yegorov in 2023 and Zarubin in 2024.

Zarubin has consistently put up better numbers of the two. In 2022-23, he posted a .901 save percentage and 3.67 goals against average in 25 games with Tula Mikhailov Academy’s under-18 team. He split his time between the u18 and u20 team in 2023-24, posting a .944 save percentage and 1.99 goals against average with the u20, leading to the Flames picking the Penza product 84th overall in 2024.

While neither his 2024-25 nor 2025-24 were as good as his 2023-24, Zarubin still managed to post strong numbers. The 2024-25 season saw the 6’3” netminder finish the year with a .935 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average. His save dipped marginally in 2025-26, finishing the year with a .930, though his goals against average dropped to 2.17. However, he started the lion’s share of the games, appearing in 48 games.

Additionally, Zarubin made his professional debut in Russia, appearing in the All-Russian Hockey League (VHL). Over 65 minutes, Zarubin allowed just one goal on 41 shots for a .976 save percentage and 0.92 goals against average. Then in the post-season, Zarubin finished with a .950 save percentage and 1.63 goals against average in four games, a career-high in games played.

A step up in competition is sorely needed for the 20-year-old, and he’ll get that in the form of professional hockey in North America in 2026-27.

We reached out to Elite Prospects‘ Dylan Griffing about Zarubin’s 2025-26 campaign: “Zarubin played his final season in the MHL last year, establishing himself as one of the top goaltenders in the league, especially with his performances in the playoffs.” In terms of Zarubin coming to North America after signing his entry-level deal, he added these thoughts:

“In general, I don’t love the idea of signing a player out of the MHL, but getting in on goaltender prospects before they become professionals in Russia is becoming standard for NHL clubs. As good as it is to get him in the system early, it does pose problems of consistent playing time and the risk of that delay making a return home more enticing, but it allows for a more hands on approach to his development should the Flames feel he is a part of their future.”

Expectations for the 2026-27 season

With Zarubin signing his entry-level contact and Yegorov joining Miami University (Ohio), the Flames now have three Russian goalies in North America. The other one, Arsenii Sergeev, made his National Hockey League debut in 2025-26 and figures to get most starts at the AHL level.

Sergeev signed his ELC after a terrific season at Penn State, and his 2025-26 season could be used as a template for Zarubin in 2026-26. While he started 29 games in the AHL, the most of any goalie to play for the Wranglers this past season, Sergeev also played 12 games for the Rush as well.

With Sergeev and Owen Say at the AHL level, it wouldn’t be surprising if most of Zarubin’s season is spent in Rapid City, South Dakota. If he performs well, he could get a look in the AHL and position himself to get regular playing time at the level in 2027-28.