The future between the pipes: Mikhail Yegorov’s rise as New Jersey Devils prospect

Finding and developing an elite goaltender is one of the most challenging tasks in hockey, but the New Jersey Devils may have struck gold with Mikhail Yegorov. The Russian netminder has quickly emerged as a standout prospect, showcasing his poise, athleticism, and technical ability at every level. From battling adversity with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL to his seamless transition into NCAA hockey at Boston University, Yegorov has consistently demonstrated the skill set and mindset required to succeed at the highest level.

With the Devils in desperate need of a long-term solution in net, Yegorov’s rapid development under BU head coach Jay Pandolfo has put him on track to challenge for an NHL roster spot in the coming years. This article takes an in-depth look at his journey, his early collegiate success, and what makes him a future star for the Devils.

Last season, Chase Cheslock, a right-handed defenseman and New Jersey Devils prospect, played a crucial role for the Omaha Lancers in the USHL. Despite being on a defense-shortened team, Cheslock showcased his best physical positioning, but Omaha found itself frequently pinned in its own zone, weathering a relentless barrage of shots.

During those difficult moments, a big, athletic, and composed goaltender stood tall in net, making an immediate impression. His long reach, calm demeanor, and strong positional play caught the attention of many. Watching him absorb pressure game after game makes it clear this guy looks too good to be playing behind a defenseless team. He’s maintaining excellent positioning and breeds comparisons of Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jacob Markstrom. That performance, particularly in a game against the Fargo Force, cemented him as a prospect worth tracking.

Mikhail Yegorov gives Devils fans hope they have the future in net

In the following game, Omaha faced their rivals, the Lincoln Stars. On the Stars roster was Adam Kleber, a towering defenseman with a slapshot reminiscent of Al MacInnis. Kleber had been dominant on the power play, unleashing his heavy one-timer at will. When he fired a blistering shot on goal, I focused on Yegorov’s reaction timing, and he was spot on. He anticipated the play perfectly, positioning himself squarely to the puck and displaying impressive stick-handling skills. At that moment, I thought, This kid's reactions, puck tracking, and composure are exceptional.

Digging deeper into Yegorov’s background, he had developed through Russia’s prestigious Red Army system (now CSKA Moscow), playing in the U-16 and U-18 circuits before advancing to the MHL, Russia’s top junior league and just two steps below the KHL. Given his pedigree and performance in a challenging USHL environment with minimal goal support, it became evident that he was ready for the next step: NCAA hockey.

A Top Goaltending Prospect for the Devils

The New Jersey Devils have long been searching for a franchise goaltender, and as the draft approached, I had several names on my radar. However, Mikhail Yegorov sat firmly at the top of my list. His size, technical skill, and ability to thrive under pressure made him an ideal candidate to develop into a future NHL starter.

When the Devils traded John Marino to Utah, I reached out to Trey Matthews at the NHL Draft in Las Vegas, sharing my scouting report on Yegorov. Securing a top-tier goaltending prospect is never easy, and developing one in-house is even more challenging. That Is why I strongly recommended getting Yegorov out of Omaha and into Boston University as quickly as possible to maximize his development.

Early NCAA Success at Boston University

Yegorov’s transition to NCAA hockey has been seamless. In his collegiate debut, he faced the top-ranked Boston College Eagles and allowed only one goal before being pulled for an extra attacker late in the game. BU ultimately lost 2-1, but Yegorov made a strong impression, handling high-danger chances with ease and demonstrating excellent puck-moving ability with his stick.

In his second start, he suffered an unfortunate goal after losing his paddle near his right post. However, Boston University responded emphatically, demolishing #18 Northeastern 7-2 and following it up with a dominant 7-1 victory over Harvard.

Through his first three games, Yegorov has posted exceptional numbers:
1.35 Goals Against Average (GAA)
.944 Save Percentage (SV%)
68 saves on 72 shots

Under the guidance of BU head coach and former New Jersey Devils forward Jay Pandolfo, Yegorov is rapidly developing into a top-tier goaltending prospect. While the Devils currently have Nico Daws, Isaac Poulter, and Jakub Málek in their system, Mikhail Yegorov is on a trajectory to challenge for the starting role in the future. When the time comes, he will be ready to seize the crease in New Jersey.