It’s hard to think about hockey in the aftermath of Johnny Gaudreau’s passing, but we can’t think of anything else to do. So, between now and the start of camp we will finish our Top 25 Under 25 countdown. Thanks to the 74 readers who submitted ballots in this year’s ranking of Columbus Blue Jackets players and prospects under the age of 25.
#19 Sergei Ivanov
Voting
22nd out of 42 eligible players
Writer Rank: 22nd
Reader Rank: 17th
Highest Placement: 10th (1 vote)
Most Common Placement: 17th (8 votes)
2023 Rank: Not ranked
Biography
Birthdate: April 3, 2004
Birthplace: Chernushka, Russia
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 157 lbs
Position: G
Catches: Left
Acquired: Drafted in the 5th round (138 overall) in 2022
2023-24 Season
Ivanov had been in the SKA-St. Petersburg organization since 2020-21, but after limited opportunities (1.18 GAA and .957 SV% in 3 KHL starts), he was loaned to Admiral Vladivostok. His 8-17-3 record is unimpressive, but remember that he was playing for a bad team that averaged just 2.18 goals per game in goal support (148 GF in 68 GP). Ivanov’s 2.63 GAA and .928 SV% are far more impressive given all that.
2024-25 Outlook
This season, Ivanov is being loaned to HK Sochi. Like Vladivostok, they missed the playoffs last year. Their offense is slightly better, however.
Patience is important here, as Ivanov is still just 20 years old, which is extremely young for a pro goalie. It will take some time for the Blue Jackets to figure out what to do with Elvis Merzlikins, and then to settle on either Danill Tarasov or Jet Greaves as the go-to starting goaltender in the meantime. In 3-5 years, the team could be looking for an upgrade, and Ivanov can be ready to come over at that point, if not sooner.
He’s undersized relative to most successful NHL goalies these days, but his production so far in his pro career is encouraging.