Pyotr Kochetkov Bio
Pyotr Anatolevich Kochetkov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 25 June 1999 in Penza, Russia, Kochetkov was selected 36th overall in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Hurricanes after being ranked as the top eligible international goaltender. He made his NHL debut with Carolina in April 2022 and has since become a key figure in the Hurricanes goaltending rotation, also winning the Calder Cup in 2022 with the AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves and the Stanley Cup in 2026 with Carolina.
Early Life and Background
Kochetkov grew up in Penza, Russia, where he began his hockey journey playing youth hockey within his hometown club Dizel Penza. While developing his skills with the Dizel Sports Academy, Kochetkov helped his team capture the Volga region championship in 2011, showcasing the talent that would eventually carry him to professional ranks. His early development as a goaltender took place in Russia’s youth hockey system, which has produced numerous NHL talents over the years.
With ambitions to play in the Junior Hockey League (MHL), Kochetkov joined the Ak Bars Kazan under-18 junior program for the 2015-16 season. However, he received limited playing time with Ak Bars, which led him to return to his hometown club, Dizel Penza, joining their senior team in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) for the 2016-17 season at just 17 years old.
Path to Professional Hockey
Before joining Dizel Penza’s professional roster, Kochetkov gained valuable experience playing for Dizelist Penza in the National Junior Hockey League (NMHL). He made his professional debut with Dizel Penza in relief duty, stopping five shots in a 6-1 victory over Yermak Angarsk on 7 November 2016. Over the course of the 2016-17 VHL season, Kochetkov appeared in eight games with Penza. He earned his first professional victory in his third and final start, a 4-2 win against Ariada Volzhsk on 11 January 2017.
On 8 July 2017, Kochetkov signed his first Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) contract, agreeing to a two-year deal with HC Sochi. He was assigned to play with their junior farm club, Kapitan Stupino, for the 2017-18 season. Despite limited team success, with Kapitan posting just six wins in 31 games, Kochetkov managed a impressive .917 save percentage, demonstrating his ability to perform even when his team struggled.
Pyotr Kochetkov Career
Early Career (2016-2021)
During the 2018-19 season, Kochetkov returned to the VHL, joining Sochi’s affiliate HC Ryazan for additional development opportunities. He was elevated to practice with the parent HC Sochi club throughout the season and made his KHL debut as a 19-year-old in a 4-2 defeat to Jokerit on 1 October 2018. He appeared in one additional game with Sochi during that season while continuing his development with Ryazan in the VHL playoffs.
On 21 May 2019, Kochetkov was traded by HC Sochi to SKA Saint Petersburg, a prominent KHL contender, in exchange for fellow goaltender Nikita Bogdanov. He remained on SKA’s opening night roster for the 2019-20 season and started the first five games. After an assignment to SKA-Neva in the VHL, Kochetkov returned to SKA and collected three wins in six games before being traded again on 18 October 2019. He joined HC Vityaz, along with Alexei Byvaltsev, in exchange for Alexander Samonov and Artyom Shvets-Rovoy. Kochetkov made his Vityaz debut in a 4-1 loss to Sibir Novosibirsk on 22 October 2019, appearing in eight games with a .917 save percentage.
Transition to North America (2021-2022)
On 2 May 2021, Kochetkov signed with his draft club, the Carolina Hurricanes, agreeing to a two-year, entry-level contract. This move marked his transition from Russian professional hockey to North American play. He spent the majority of his first season in the Hurricanes organization with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. On 25 June 2022, Kochetkov won the Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves, capturing his first major professional championship in North America.
Earlier that same year, on 23 April 2022, Kochetkov made his NHL debut with the Carolina Hurricanes. He started both games in consecutive victories over the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders, earning two wins in his first two NHL appearances. His impressive debut caught the attention of hockey analysts and established him as a promising prospect within the Hurricanes organization.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2022-Present)
On 4 May 2022, during the Hurricanes’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, Kochetkov made his NHL playoff debut in relief of an injured Antti Raanta in Game Two. He stopped 30 shots and earned a 5-2 victory, providing a memorable first playoff performance. Later that month, he celebrated the Calder Cup championship with the Chicago Wolves before returning to NHL action.
On 14 November 2022, Kochetkov recorded his first NHL shutout, a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Less than two weeks later, on 23 November 2022, the Hurricanes signed him to a four-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season, securing their goaltending future. On 3 March 2023, while playing for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, Kochetkov achieved a rare feat for a goaltender, scoring a long-distance empty-net goal against the Manitoba Moose in Winnipeg.
Throughout the 2024-25 NHL season, Kochetkov served as Carolina’s primary backup goaltender, gaining valuable experience in the NHL while continuing to develop his game. The 2025-26 season presented challenges when he began the year in a three-goaltender rotation as the third-string option behind Frederik Andersen and others, though an injury sustained in December 2025 required surgery and forced him to miss the remainder of the season. He returned near the end of the regular season and rejoined the Hurricanes for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he served as the third goaltender before briefly stepping into the backup role during the Stanley Cup Finals. While he did not see game action during the playoff run, Kochetkov won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes on 25 June 2026.
Playing Style and Strengths
Kochetkov is known for his imposing 6-foot-3 frame, which allows him to cover significant net area and challenge shooters effectively. His quick reflexes and strong positional play have enabled him to post impressive save percentages throughout his career, including a .917 mark during his first KHL season with Kapitan Stupino and similar numbers in his appearances with HC Vityaz. His ability to perform under pressure was evident from his NHL debut, where he won both of his first two starts, and his playoff debut, where he made 30 saves in a playoff victory against the Boston Bruins.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kochetkov’s career has featured several memorable milestones. His NHL debut and immediate success in April 2022 marked his arrival in the world’s top hockey league. The Calder Cup championship with the Chicago Wolves in June 2022 was his first major professional title. His first NHL shutout against Chicago on 14 November 2022 demonstrated his ability to dominate games, and his contract extension the same month secured his long-term future with Carolina. The Stanley Cup championship in 2026 represented the pinnacle of his career, achieved despite the challenges of injury and recovery during the season.
Pyotr Kochetkov Career Statistics
Across his professional career spanning the VHL, KHL, AHL, and NHL, Kochetkov has accumulated significant experience at multiple levels. His VHL career included productive stints with HC Ryazan during the 2018-19 season and again in 2020-21. In the KHL, he appeared in games for HC Sochi, SKA Saint Petersburg, and HC Vityaz before moving to North America. His NHL career began with the Hurricanes in 2022, and he has continued to develop into a reliable NHL goaltender.
International Achievements
Kochetkov represented Russia at the 2019 World Junior Championships held in Vancouver, Canada. He earned the starting goaltender role and delivered an exceptional performance, recording four wins in five games while helping Russia capture the bronze medal with a victory over Switzerland on 6 January 2019. His outstanding play throughout the tournament earned him recognition as the Best Goaltender of the competition, highlighting his ability to perform on the international stage.
Championship History
Throughout his career, Kochetkov has won championships at multiple levels. He claimed the Volga region championship in 2011 during his youth career with Dizel Sports Academy. In 2022, he won the Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. His most prestigious championship came in 2026 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes, completing his collection of major professional hockey titles.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season saw Kochetkov establish himself as Carolina’s primary backup goaltender, appearing in numerous games throughout the campaign. His experience from previous seasons and his strong work ethic allowed him to contribute consistently to the Hurricanes’ push for playoff positioning. The partnership between Kochetkov and the Hurricanes coaching staff continued to develop as they managed his playing time and development within the NHL rigors.
Throughout the season, Kochetkov demonstrated the qualities that made him a second-round draft pick, including his size, athleticism, and competitive drive. His ability to step into games and provide solid goaltending gave the Hurricanes confidence in their backup situation behind their starter. The team relied on him during various stretches of the season, and he delivered performances that kept Carolina competitive in the tough Metropolitan Division.
Looking ahead, Kochetkov remains a key part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ goaltending future. With his four-year contract extension running through the 2026-27 season, he has demonstrated his value to the organization. His recovery from the December 2025 injury and subsequent return for the 2026 playoffs showed his resilience and determination. As he continues to develop at the NHL level, Kochetkov has the potential to take on an even larger role with the Hurricanes in the seasons ahead.