Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov typically leaves opposing shooters asking themselves questions.
And at 21 years previous, the Pittsburgh prospect is offering loads of solutions in his first full AHL season, whereas additionally studying about himself.
Murashov has been close to the highest of the leaderboard amongst American Hockey League goaltenders in 2025-26. He’s presently 20-6-1 in 28 appearances for the Penguins, rating third with a 2.13 goals-against common, fourth with a .924 save proportion and tied for third with three shutouts – most just lately a 25-save blanking of Bridgeport on Sunday afternoon.
With Murashov and Joel Blomqvist (9-4-3, 2.57, .911) splitting goaltending duties, the Penguins can ship a one-two problem to opponents, setting them as much as a be a harmful matchup come playoff time.
Murashov’s quickness and agility are instantly noticeable. Above all, nonetheless, is a powerful willingness to problem himself and to study. It’s a mix of pragmatism, gratitude and eagerness, together with an acknowledgement that whereas worry exists, it may be managed.
“One of many greatest issues in life is to simply settle for what’s given to you,” Murashov defined.
Murashov was not some sure-fire prospect with a quick monitor to the NHL. Pittsburgh made him a fourth-round choose within the 2022 NHL Draft and he got here up by means of the junior growth program of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, showing in seven video games within the KHL. It will have been simple for him to remain in Yaroslavl, the town the place he was born, to proceed taking part in till he felt prepared to come back over to North America.
Murashov confirmed some actual promise, however numerous younger gamers have promise.
So he took an opportunity and pushed himself into uncomfortable territory. First got here growth camp with Pittsburgh in 2024, his first journey to the US – although he did arrive already possessing a capability to converse in English. It was an opportunity for the Penguins to see him up-close, however it additionally supplied a 20-year-old Murashov a possibility to survey what he may be coping with in North America.
Three weeks later, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh. It was a possibility, certain, however one with a major uphill climb hooked up to it.
Pittsburgh president of hockey operations and normal supervisor Kyle Dubas has lengthy believed in a three-tiered organizational construction that prioritizes growth at each the AHL and ECHL ranges, going again to his time with the Toronto Marlies and Maple Leafs. With a depth chart that additionally included Blomqvist, Filip Larsson and Taylor Gauthier, Murashov went to Wheeling within the ECHL to start out his rookie season.
Certain sufficient, alternatives opened up with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Murashov performed effectively sufficient that he even acquired a sport within the Calder Cup Playoffs.
This season, Murashov has clearly taken one other big step ahead. After a powerful NHL preseason, he was named the AHL’s Goaltender of the Month for October. Quickly after, he made his NHL debut, trying fairly succesful in a 24-save effort towards Los Angeles. He remained with Pittsburgh for the 2025 NHL International Sequence and earned his first NHL victory – a shutout – towards Nashville in a sport performed in Stockholm, Sweden.
He has barely slowed down. He has helped Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to a 35-13-3-2 document so far, good for third place total within the league standings. And he represented the Penguins on the AHL All-Star Traditional in Rockford earlier this month.
Murashov manages to embrace each course of and routine whereas additionally having the ability to enterprise exterior of them when an opportunity to take action presents itself.
“I actually like our crew – attending to the rink, working with nice folks, studying from coaches, and specializing in this course of,” Murashov elaborated. “However on the identical time, now we have these moments within the season if you – I wouldn’t say that we change off our minds, however we form of simply change the setting and get new feelings, new recollections, which is admittedly treasured.”
Younger-adulthood brings life challenges and alter for anybody, hockey participant or in any other case. For Murashov, he has needed to do it removed from house and in a second language whereas additionally making an attempt to play himself into the NHL. If one likes to study, as Murashov certainly does, it has introduced ample alternative to study and to check himself.
So what has he realized about himself?
“That’s a very good query,” Murashov mentioned. “I feel, initially, that I can belief myself and belief that I’ve interior energy to go over any challenges I’ve in my life. I’d additionally say that studying this tradition, hockey is only a sport, and it is best to have enjoyable taking part in it.
“I feel a variety of various things, really. Keep grateful for no matter is given to you. Settle for actuality as it’s what it’s… I’d additionally acknowledge a variety of actually treasured folks I’ve met on my method and I’m grateful for them.”
AHL coaches typically level out that they’ve gamers in entrance of them for a couple of hours a day. Which means a variety of time away from the rink. Simply as with all sphere of life, that point away will be for good or these hours with out one’s ardour may cause issues. Murashov has used this time to develop. If a participant’s off-ice life is aggravating or there’s homesickness or only a sense of not becoming in, issues on the ice can comply with.
Murashov cites his personal curiosity and coachability as traits which have helped him succeed.
“That’s a lesson I realized about myself – that I’ve it inside me,” he mentioned. “Because of the Penguins group and all of the coaches. They assist quite a bit with adjusting to make me really feel snug. However I actually keep curious. Even proper now, I’m nonetheless studying. I’m nonetheless scared to go on Amazon and seek for what you guys have right here.
“However, on the identical time, simply do new issues. Don’t be scared. Overcome your worry and simply get pleasure from it.”
On the American Hockey League beat for 20 years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally presently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a daily contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
