Flames sign Arsenii Sergeev to entry-level contract

One of the top goaltenders in college hockey this year has signed his first NHL contract.

On Monday, the Calgary Flames announced the team has signed goaltender Arsenii Sergeev to a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal, set to begin next season, will carry an NHL AAV of $866,250 through the 2026-27 campaign.

There has been no goaltender in college hockey that rode a bigger hot streak in the second half of the season than Sergeev. In his junior season at Penn State University, the Yaroslavl, Russia native won 11 of his final 14 starts of his college hockey career, helping the Nittany Lions make it all the way to the Big Ten Semifinals, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history.

Sergeev’s heroics during the Allentown Regional last month helped Penn State advance to the Frozen Four for the first time, ultimately losing to Boston University in the national semifinals last Thursday.

“We are extremely happy for Arsi signing a well-deserved NHL contract with Calgary,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said in a release. “He was a great player on the ice but made an even greater impact to our program and our locker room off the ice. Arsenii is such a fun, lovable, competitive teammate, and he will surely be missed, but he has a home at Penn State forever.” 

Sergeev transferred to Penn State after spending the first two years of his NCAA career at the University of Connecticut. The move paid off, as it bolstered the 22-year-old’s stock as an NHL prospect. The former Tri-City Storm netminder went 19-9-4 this season, posting a 2.54 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. His four shutouts were tied for fourth among all NCAA backstops.

Sergeev was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team, being recognized as the best goaltender in the conference behind Michigan State netminder and Detroit Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine.

In 68 appearances in his college career, Sergeev posted a 38-23-5 with a 2.60 GAA, a .916 SV% and five shutouts.

Prior to his college career, Sergeev had a successful tenure in the junior ranks, winning the NAHL’s Robertson Cup with the Shrevport Mudbugs in 2021. He was named the USHL Goaltender of the Year with the Storm in 2021-22.

The Flames originally took Sergeev in the seventh round, 205th overall, of the 2021 NHL Draft. Current Flames netminder Dustin Wolf was another seventh-round draft pick. Calgary is hoping the iron can strike twice with Sergeev.