Big-name goalie returns as forwards shine

Another Russian netminder with significant NHL experience made his KHL debut last week – but most of the news revolved around goalscorers. From club record victories to early All-Star picks, the week 13 highlights are right here for you.

Georgiyev makes KHL debut at last

Alexander Georgiyev returned to Russia after 11 years and belatedly made his KHL debut. Bulgarian born, he learned his hockey at Khimik Voskresensk but left Russia to begin his pro career in Finland in 2014. While playing for TPS he helped Russia win World Junior silver and caught the eye of the New York Rangers. Georgiyev went on to play eight seasons in the NHL, with most of his games coming for Colorado. His last year across the Atlantic was a struggle, though, and a brief and unhappy stint with Buffalo came to an end when the 29-year-old agreed to join Spartak. He made his debut on Saturday and secured a hard-fought 5-4 win over Lada.

Beck’s back

Taylor Beck signed a two-year deal with Sibir, extending a story that has already run for three seasons. Beck, 34, first moved to Novosibirsk in 2022 and played 196 games for 165 (51+114) including two playoff campaigns. Prior to that, the Canadian forward also represented Avtomobilist, Kunlun, Avangard, Metallurg and Dinamo Minsk for a total of 374 points in 485 games. At the end of last season, Beck left Sibir to join Geneve-Servette in Switzerland. However, he struggled for game time amid strict Swiss restrictions on imports and made just six appearances for Ville Peltonen’s team.

Minsk on top

Another week, another leader in the Western Conference. This time, it’s Dinamo Minsk on top following a 4-1 win at Admiral on Sunday. That put the Bison one point clear of Severstal, with Lokomotiv and Torpedo in close pursuit. Dinamo is on a powerful run of seven wins in its last eight games, including victory over Torpedo in its last home game.

Pinchuk books All-Star spot

Vitaly Pinchuk is the first player to confirm his place at the 2026 Fonbet KHL All-Star Game in St. Petersburg. The Dinamo Minsk forward got the vote via a special poll set up by Fonbet Overtime. Pinchuk will play for the KHL World Stars team, a roster comprising imports as well as Belarusian and Kazakh players from the league.

After that vote, the polls opened for the first fan selections for all four teams. At present, the leaders include Metallurg’s Vladimir Tkachyov for KHL Ural Stars, Neftekhimik goalie Filipp Dolganov for KHL RUS Stars, Lokomotiv’s Yegor Surin for KHL U23 Stars and Minsk goalie Zach Fucale for KHL World Stars.

Iron man

Neftekhimik’s Evgeny Mityakin played his 292nd consecutive game for the Wolves, setting a new KHL record for consecutive appearances for one team. He overtook Kirill Semyonov, who played 291 in a row for Avangard. Mityakin’s big day produced a memorable game as well: the 27-year-old helped Neftekhimik to a thrilling 7-5 win over Shanghai.

Record win for Traktor

Wednesday’s 9-0 victory over Shanghai Dragons rewrote the record books for Traktor. It was the Chelyabinsk team’s biggest ever KHL victory, and gave 23-year-old goalie Savely Sherstnev a shut-out on his first start in the league. The game was also Raphael Richer’s first victory as interim head coach following Benoit Groulx’s surprise departure last week. Richer seems to be settling into the role: the Shanghai rout was followed with a 6-1 thrashing of Sochi two days later.

Leivo, Kravtsov in top form

With all those goals flying in for Traktor, Josh Leivo and Vitaly Kravtsov have produced some impressive individual stats. The pair are on four-game hot streaks, with Kravtsov giving his 100th KHL assist along the way. He’s on 9 (3+6) points, while Leivo has 11 (5+6).

Rempal’s first goals

Sheldon Rempal’s return to Salavat Yulaev galvanized the Ufa club and this week the popular Canadian scored his first goals since returning. He potted two in another high-scoring game, with Salavat recovering from 0-2 and 1-3 to beat Barys 7-4. Rempal also had two helpers in that one, and is currently on 6 (2+4) points in seven games since returning to Bashkortostan.

Six to go for Shipachyov

Vadim Shipachyov finished the week on 994 points, just six away from becoming the first player to reach 1,000 in his KHL career. He grabbed the game-winner at Torpedo to continue a four-game hot streak, but was unable to add to his tally in Sunday’s success at Admiral. More worryingly, the veteran forward suffered an injury in the second period and did not return to the ice. Dinamo continues its tour in Khabarovsk on Tuesday.

Rock-solid Serebryakov

In a week dominated by goalscorers, Avangard netminder Nikita Serebryakov bucked the trend. He made an incredible 59 saves in Magnitogorsk, slowing the most powerful offense in the KHL, as the Hawks beat Metallurg 3-1.