Feb 14, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a Chicago Blackhawks logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Bell Centre. Photo: David Kirouac/USA TODAY Sports

Who is Stanislav Berezhnoy? Blackhawks Sign Russian Goaltender

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net
By Steve Kwiatkowski | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 8:25 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks signed goaltender Stanislav Berezhnoy to a two-year, entry-level contract with a $975,000 cap hit. Rumors began on Wednesday morning, July 16, but before the rumors had time to breathe, they materialized in the afternoon.

hi Stanislav

➡︎ https://t.co/QGjhqvmsij pic.twitter.com/PFUlUqSbES
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 16, 2025

Berezhnoy is a 22-year-old (June 7th birthday) Russian goaltender who was in the KHL's SKA St. Petersburg system. Berezhnoy played 27 games with the VHL (a step below the KHL). He posted a 2.50 goals against average (GAA) and a .928 SV%. In eight playoff games, Berezhnoy had a 2.66 GAA and a .921 SV%. He was undrafted by NHL teams.

What does this mean for the Blackhawks' goaltenders? Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom (who's still pending a contract) are supposed to be the 1A/1B goaltenders next season. Drew Commesso will be playing with the Rockford IceHogs. Mitchell Weeks is the current backup in Rockford and is in the final year of his two-way AHL contract. There's also young goaltender Adam Gajan, who will be playing in the NCAA next season.

Weeks will probably play in the ECHL's Indy Fuel and serve as depth goaltending for Rockford in the event Drew Commesso is called up. Weeks posted a .886 SV% in 32 games with Rockford last season. Berezhnoy will likely fit in as Commesso's backup.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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