While the season ended on a low for Yevgeni Volokhin, losing the quarter-final series to Chaika (Nizny Novgorod) in four games (3-1) where the Mammoths lost two games in overtime and scored an own goal into an empty net, the season as a whole must be considered a step forward for the big goalie.
Yegor Zavragin was the first Mammoth goalie picked in the 2023 NHL Draft, selected 57 spots ahead of Volokhin by the Philadelphia Flyers. While Zavragin played 25 games in the VHL (the senior second division in Russia), Volokhin played 38 games in the MHL (the Junior league). Zavragin is further along in his development, but it was still impressive from Volokhin in an arguably easier league, especially when comparing the statistics between the two goalies. Zavragin comes out on top, however looking at the MHL numbers for both the regular season and the playoffs, Volokhin is the best of his class, posting a .938 save percentage (second in the league) and a 1.57 goals-against average during the regular season and a .945 save percentage and 1.35 GAA in the playoffs (both ranking first).
With his typical butterfly play, he goes down early, and this probably means that he loses the puck at times since Junior leagues aren’t as predictable as senior play. While he stays upright with his body to cover the net he isn’t strong enough to keep that position for long, drops his glove in those instances leaving a gap high in the goal.
Strengths
While Volokhin isn’t extremely big, his 6’3” frame stands out when he is on the ice. He is still lanky and will have to build up his core and legs to really benefit from his size. He moves around a lot, showcasing his athleticism and skating skills, though it’s rare that he overextends in the crease as he shifts from post to post. He looks like he is in control of his skates and power at all times, sure of where he has his net, and can place himself well to cover the angles. His athleticism covers up some technical mistakes and lapses, such as misreading the play. This leads to some mad scrambles at times, as it seems that he loses track of the puck and has to play catch-up.
There were instances in the games I have watched where he falls behind the play, especially when the puck is near the crease, but he never gives up on a play. There is a lot of fight in his game, and he will fight to get the puck at every opportunity.
Weaknesses
What stands out most is that his rebound control needs to improve. It is not like Frederik Dichow’s rebounds that went far and straight out into the slot in his early days. Volokhin absorbs the shot but seems to spill the rebound close to the crease, often leaving him and the defenders to fight for it. It is a good thing that he keeps the pucks within arm’s reach, but it would be better to not drop them at all.
As will all young goalies, the physique needs to improve, especially his core in order to stay upright in the butterfly position and protect the top of the net. It’s the delicate balance of needing to build up muscle without dropping any of his agility or losing any of his movement control that is a strength at the moment.
Grade: B+
While you can only beat the teams you play against, and Volokhin’s stats are exceptional, topping three out of four statistics while playing the fourth-most minutes of all the goalies, there is one netminder he hasn’t beaten: his teammate, Zavragin. That is why I don’t give Volokhin an A, the grade he would otherwise deserve.
My understanding is that Volokhin can play in the MHL next season as well, while Zavragin continues his development in the VHL. It could also be the fact that both goalies move up a level, with Zavgarin getting KHL minutes, leaving an opportunity for Volokhin to play professional hockey in the VHL. The fact that Ugry has two great goalie prospects seems to be the biggest hurdle for Volokhin, but it can also be a blessing as he won’t be rushed into a situation too early to cover a hole in a lineup at a higher level. If he plays in the MHL again next season, it shouldn’t be held against him.
There is no rush to force his development in Ugry nor from Montreal’s side with Samuel Montembeault, Cayden Primeau, Jakub Dobeš, Jacob Fowler, and Quentin Miller already in the system. Montreal holds his NHL rights forever due to the fact that there is no NHL/KHL agreement, which gives Montreal an opportunity to let him mature in Ugry’s system. It’s a system that must be doing something right as they have developed two good goalie prospects at the same time.
It is difficult to project success at any level for a goaltender. Volokhin is still a gemstone in the rough and the question is what kind of gems he is. There is no telling right now, but he looks more like a hit than a miss.
Marc-Antoine Lévis contributed to this article. His insights into goaltender development was of key importance.
