Chicago added to its organizational depth at goaltender on Tuesday, announcing the signing of 22-year old Russian netminder Stanislav Berezhnoy to an entry-level contract.
The deal is for two seasons and carries a $975,000 salary cap hit, running through the 2026–27 season.
hi Stanislav👋
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 16, 2025
📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/QGjhqvmsij pic.twitter.com/PFUlUqSbES
Dylan Griffing of Elite Prospects was the first to report early Tuesday morning on the Blackhawks’ interest in Berezhnoy:
Berezhnoy's contract with Dynamo Moskva has officially been terminated. Eyes on the #Blackhawks now. https://t.co/j5yEzVBpRH
— dylan griffing (@GriffingDylan) July 16, 2025
Undrafted, Berezhnoy has carved out a solid path through Russia’s developmental ranks. Over the past three seasons in the VHL, he has a .918 save percentage in 54 appearances. His junior career in the MHL with Omskie Yastreby in that same span was even better: a .920 save percentage over 92 regular season games, including 10 shutouts, and a .926 save percentage in 24 post-season games. This includes this past season where his marks were the best of his young career: between time spent with Omskie Krylia in the MHL and SKA-Neva St. Petersburg in the VHL, he impressed with a .928 save percentage across 27 regular-season games.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 218 pounds, Berezhnoy certainly has the size of the modern NHL goaltender, and he’s described as athletic and composed in the crease. Although he’s had little to no KHL experience, the Blackhawks were likely intrigued by his level of consistency and strong foundational game throughout the lower Russian leagues, particularly in the defensively demanding VHL. The Blackhawks just drafted another goalie out of Russia in the 2025 NHL Draft, 20-year old Ilya Kanarsky, so their European scouts must be working overtime.
With Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom the likely main duo in the NHL, Berezhnoy is expected to join Drew Commesso in Rockford with the IceHogs this season. It’s unknown what is going on with Laurent Brossoit, who missed last season after having two knee surgeries.