Kochetkov, 23, has earned a 10-4-5 record, 2.33 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 19 NHL games with Carolina in 2022-23 and has posted a 13-4-5 record in 22 appearances with the Hurricanes since making his NHL debut last season. Among rookie goaltenders with at least 15 appearances this season, he ranks first in goals-against average and tied for second in save percentage. The 6'3", 193-pound netminder also ranks tied for fifth in the league with three shutouts, tied for the second-most in a single season by any Whalers/Hurricanes rookie. He was 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, and he registered the longest shutout sequence by any rookie in franchise history from Dec. 10-15 (151:26). Kochetkov has also earned a 13-5-2 record, 2.39 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and one shutout in 20 AHL games with Chicago in 2022-23, and he is one of only two AHL netminders with a goal this season, as he scored his first AHL goal while shorthanded against Manitoba on March 3. He has now registered a 26-6-3 record in his regular-season AHL career and went 5-1 with two shutouts in the 2022 playoffs to help lead the Wolves to a Calder Cup championship. 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.
