Goaltender Ruslan Khazheyev was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract, the Carolina Hurricanes announced Wednesday.
Khazheyev, a Chelyabinsk, Russia, native, was the Hurricanes' fifth-round pick, 158th overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft.
For Chelyabinsk of the MHL, Khazheyev, 19, made 28 appearances, earning a 16-5-2 record, 2.19 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and two shutouts in Russia's top junior league.
“Ruslan is a big goaltender who moves extremely well for his size and has good instincts in the crease,” said Hurricanes GM Don Waddell, according to NHL.com. “He has had a strong junior career in Russia, and we’re excited to see him transition to the pro level in North America.”
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