There’s a quiet intensity in Sergei Ivanov’s game. At 21 years old, the young netminder for SKA, who was drafted 138th overall in 2022 by the Columbus Blue Jackets, has already played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for several seasons, including a loan spell to Admiral Vladivostok and a second loan to HC Sochi, feeling the weight of responsibility that comes with guarding the crease against quality shooters. Yet beyond the routine of practices and games, there’s a broader horizon that occupies his thoughts — the possibility of one day playing in the NHL.
In this translated interview, originally appearing on the Russian website sovsport.ru, Ivanov talks about his ongoing contact with Columbus, his future after SKA, preparing for a possible move to North America, and the progress he’s made during his breakout KHL season.
**You can read the original interview on Ivanov’s native Russian on sovsport.ru by Daria Tuboltseva here**
Ivanov in Contact with Columbus
“I talk with the Columbus goalie coach,” Ivanov says. His contract in the KHL runs out in May 2026. “He sometimes writes, congratulates, or just asks how things are going. He watches my games. We’re in contact roughly once a month, or around some notable events.” Of course, the team is interested in what he has planned. “Representatives from Columbus haven’t asked yet what I’ve decided,” he admits. “But I think they will. For now, nothing like that yet.”
As his contract with SKA approaches its natural conclusion, the question of what comes next looms large. “I understand that if I come to America now, I’ll have to go through the AHL to make it to the NHL,” he says frankly. “(Igor) Shesterkin came ready, but even he still worked his way through the farm club. I’m not afraid of that. If it happens that way, so be it. If it’s different — that’s good too. But I don’t know what will happen next year. This year, I need to figure things out.”
Still, there’s a thoughtful reticence about rushing things. “I don’t know if I want to decide earlier,” he says of making a choice about his future. “The season is ongoing. In this situation, you can’t relax at all.” Ivanov has a .927 save percentage so far and one shutout across 13 games. Very good numbers.
Taking It to the Next Level
But he knows that to make it to the next level, it’s not enough. “Even if I’m a backup, I still have to be ready to go at any moment. There’s always going to be competition,” he says. “Even if you’re a starter or second goalie, your job is simple — play hockey.”
Each athlete has their own style, and Ivanov is no exception. “I like Shesterkin, (Sergei) Bobrovsky — they’re different. In general, it’s interesting to take something from everyone. In one situation, you play it one way, in another a bit more aggressively, and in a third more calmly.” He doesn’t seem to have just one style. “It depends on the situation,” Ivanov explains. “If you’ve missed the moment, you’ll throw yourself into it just to do something. If everything is under control, you play calmly, cleanly, get into position.”
Recently, Ivanov was included in the KHL All-Star Game rosters, where he will play for the Russia U23 team alongside New York Islanders draftee Dmitry Gamzin. That’s another recognition of his strong play, with his game improving as he gets older.
“There’s some experience now, of course. It’s my third season — even my fourth. You already understand the players who have been in the league for a long time, the ones I started out with. You know how they play. But this is just the beginning; everything is still ahead. New players keep coming in, and the league keeps getting more interesting.” And with Ivanov’s experience and strong play, conquering a new league seems like an achievable task for the young goalie.
