Former Bulls Goaltender Sergey Bolshakov Signs with HK Ryazan (VHL)
This will be his fourth season in the KHL affiliate league
July 10th, 2019 at 8:51AM July 10th, 2019 2:03PM
Ryazan, Russia- Former Bradford Bulls goalie Sergei Bolshakov has signed with HK Ryazan of the VHL, the affiliate league of the KHL.
Bolshakov played in the GMHL for the Bradford Bulls in 2013-2014. Bolshakov is considered to be one of the best goalies in GMHL history. As a rookie, at only sixteen years old, Bolshakov put up tremendous stats, finishing the regular season with 2.46 GAA and .932 Save Percentage in 24 Games Played. Bolshakov received the honours of GMHL All-Star, GMHL Rookie of the Year, and GMHL Top Goaltender for his regular season efforts. Bolshakov continued his impressive play for the Bulls into the playoffs and posted 1.89 GAA and .947 Save Percentage in 13 Playoff Games en route to a Russell Cup Championship, the first and only Russell Cup in Bulls franchise history. Bolshakovs impressive year in the GMHL turned a lot of heads at the next level, and he found himself splitting time between the KHL and their major junior affiliate the following year.
Bolshakov spent another season developing at the major junior level, and continued to impress teams at every level, including the NHL level, where he was ranked #8 in the NHL Central Scout for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft for European Goalies. Although Bolshakov wasn’t drafted to the NHL, he was able to pick up a contract in the KHL for the 2016-2017 Season with HK Sochi where he was the third string goalie.
Bolshakov then signed with Khimik Voskresensk of the VHL for the 2017-2018 Season. Bolshakov played the back up role for the team, however Khimik Voskresensk was impressed with Bolshakov’s standard of play, and he received an extension for the 2018-2019 season, where he earned an increase in playing time this year, posting some impressive stats with a 1.99 GAA and .927 Save Percentage in his nine starts.
For the upcoming season Bolshakov decided to move on from Khimik Voskresensk to HK Ryazan for the 2019-2020 Season, where he’s looking to take over the starting role for the club and receive more playing time.
The VHL is the second league in Russia, and one of the top leagues in Europe. The league is affiliated with the KHL, which is arguably the second best league in the world. Specifically, HK Ryazan is affiliated with HC Sibir Novosibirsk the former team of St. Louis Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko. The VHL not only advances players to the KHL, but has sent players to the AHL and NHL as well. It is great to see a former GMHL player at this high level of hockey, and we wish Bolshakov and the best of luck next season.