Laval Rocket Name Ilia Ejov as Interim Goalie Coach

Ejov has been working as the goalie coach of the Concordia Stingers since the start of the 2024-25 season and therefore has experience as a goaltending coach at a high level of competition. This opportunity will be a big chance for the Russian-Quebecois coach to show that he is able to coach at the pro level. Not to mention, he will be tasked with shaping the likely future starting goalie of the Canadiens, Jacob Fowler, for the rest of the season. Fowler has been playing better over the last few games, but he did have a bit of a slump when he first got back from his stint in the NHL. Ejov will have his work cut out for him, as he has a huge responsibility in making sure that he can take the 21-year-old Habs prospect’s game to the next level.

On top of coaching the Stingers’ goaltenders, Ejov has also been playing semi-pro hockey for the Laval Petroliers of the LNAH. He has suited up for the Petroliers in 16 games over the last 2 seasons since retiring from the KHL in 2024. However, with his new job, there likely won’t be as much time for him to play, which means his hockey-playing days are now officially behind him.

The Rocket’s new goalie coach had a very successful 13-year career over in the KHL, where he posted a 179-178-59 record along with a very solid .921 save percentage and 2.38 GAA. During his career, he played for 5 KHL teams and most recently the same organization that Habs top prospect Alexander Zharovsky is playing for currently, Salavat UFA.

Before heading to the KHL, Ejov played his junior hockey career in the QMJHL, where he spent 2 years with the Saint John’s Fog Devils. He also played a year in the Saskatchewan Junior League for the Melfort Mustangs.

Based on both his playing and coaching careers so far, Ejov seems like he could be up for the challenge, but the fact that he was only named as the interim goalie coach allows the Rocket to evaluate just how well he does his job for the organization between now and the end of the season.

The hiring of Ejov also makes things easier on Marciano, who many suspected may have to work with both the goalies in the NHL and AHL within the Habs organization once he was promoted with no initial replacement at the AHL level. However, the Habs were able to find a guy to replace him rather quickly and make sure he can focus on helping Jakub Dobes and Samuel Montembeault going forward. We will see if this whole personnel shakeup ends up helping all the Habs goaltenders in the long run.