Kochetkov, 23, has posted a 2-2-1 record, 3.00 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in five AHL games with Chicago this season and has now registered a 15-3-2 record, 2.32 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in 20 career AHL appearances with the Wolves. He also went 5-1 with two shutouts in the AHL playoffs last season to help lead the Wolves to the 2022 Calder Cup championship. The 6'3", 193-pound netminder has earned a 10-4-5 record, 2.33 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and three shutouts in 19 NHL games with Carolina in 2022-23 and has now posted a 13-4-5 record, 2.34 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 22 NHL appearances since debuting with the Hurricanes last season. Among rookie goaltenders with at least 10 NHL appearances this season, Kochetkov ranks first in goals-against average and shutouts, tied for second in save percentage and tied for third in wins, and his three shutouts are tied for the second-most in a single season by any rookie netminder in franchise history. He was also named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for December after posting a 7-0-1 record, 1.63 goals-against average, .939 save percentage and two shutouts in eight games. Kochetkov held opponents scoreless for 151:26 over three games from Dec. 10-15, marking the longest shutout sequence by any Whalers/Hurricanes rookie. His shutout streak included back-to-back shutouts against the Islanders on Dec. 10 and the Red Wings on Dec. 13, as he became the first Hurricanes netminder to post consecutive shutouts since Kevin Weekes in 2003-04. The Penza, Russia, native was named Best Goaltender at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship after earning a 4-1 record, 1.45 goals-against average and .953 save percentage to lead his home country to a bronze medal. Kochetkov was selected by the Hurricanes in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2019 NHL Draft.
