"I was almost crying but I'm really excited about it," Zhigalov said. "I'm really happy to be drafted by this organization. I'm really proud, just happy for this opportunity."
The 19-year-old goalie for Sherbrooke of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was No. 2 in NHL Central Scouting's ranking of North American goalies since the midterm list was released. Accompanied by five members of his billet family, Zhigalov held onto his hopes of being drafted as the selections went by.
"It was my childhood dream just to make the NHL," he said. "They were just supporting me, telling me, 'Don't be nervous, everything's going to be great. You deserve it.'"
The 6-foot-3, 167-pound native of Minsk, Belarus, also received supportive texts from his family as he sat waiting to hear his name called during the final six rounds.
"They cannot come because of the situation right now, but I was with my second family from here," Zhigalov said. "I really want to say thank you to them, and to my family, too, for this long road."
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This season, his first in North America, he went 26-9-3 with a 2.84 goals-against average and .892 save percentage in 42 games for Sherbrooke.
Beaming as he spoke while wearing his cap and jersey from the Stanley Cup champion Avalanche, Zhigalov was delighted that his patience in the stands paid off in the end.
"I wanted to just get this opportunity and go for it," he said.
