Yegor Yegorov is headed to North America, and the Calgary Flames won’t need a transatlantic flight to keep tabs on their goaltending prospect.
The 2023 sixth-round pick is set to join Miami University for the 2026-27 season, a move that brings the 6-foot-3 netminder closer to the organization that drafted him. For Yegorov, the decision is about more than geography. It’s the next step toward the goal he’s had in mind for years.
“I always dreamt to play in North America,” Yegorov said at last week’s Flames Development Camp at WinSport. “Obviously the NHL has always been my dream, and now, when I finally took this little step forward to coming over here, it inspires me a lot and gives me motivation and power to move forward and follow my dreams.
“It’s a step forward, and I'm super excited to make it.”
Yegorov turns 21 in August and has spent most of the last four seasons in Russia’s junior ranks, where he piled up 39 wins and six shutouts. His best year came this past season with Spartak-MAX, when he put together 13 wins and a .918 save percentage. Before that, he logged his first pro experience in Russia’s second division, making four appearances for HK Tambov.
His English already gives him a head start in Ohio, but Yegorov is also looking forward to having some familiar company in the RedHawks’ room. Miami’s roster includes forward Ilia Morozov, the No. 20 pick by Buffalo in last month’s Draft after his freshman season, along with defenceman Vladislav Lukashevich, who transferred from Michigan State a year ago after being drafted by Florida.
“It's a huge help to have a Russian guy in your team, and there will be also (defenceman) Vladislav Lukashevich (a Florida draftee who transferred to Miami from Michigan State a year ago),” said Yegorov. “So there, I will be the third Russian guy in the team, and obviously it's gonna help me a lot to adjust and feel at home in Miami.
“I don't know either of them in person, I’ve just heard of them, and I'm looking forward to meeting them and becoming good friends.”
Back in Calgary, he’s already built some chemistry with the other Flames prospects. At Friday’s Snowy Cup, the crowd of teammates was right there with him after each shootout stop, chanting “EGOR” every time he came up big.
That support matters, but so does the work he’s been doing with Calgary’s goaltending staff from afar. Yegorov said he has been in regular contact with Jordan Sigalet and Mackenzie Skapski, often after games, and has also received video breakdowns from Skapski.
“We've been in touch with Jordan Sigalet and Mackenzie Skapski after almost every game,” Yegorov explained. “I had a chat with Jordan, and sometimes with Mackenzie as well. He sent me video presentations of his vision, how goalies should play, what should I improve.
“It’s been a huge help, actually, and I'm looking forward to coming over to North American and playing here, because it will be way easier to stay in touch with the Calgary coaches.”
His path to Miami began last summer, and the connection there runs through head coach Anthony Noreen. Noreen guided the RedHawks to a 15-win improvement last season and helped them crack the national rankings in 2025-26 for the first time since 2019. He also has a track record of helping players make the jump to Calgary, having coached Adam Klapka with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm and helped the 6-foot-8 Czech settle into North American hockey before Klapka eventually landed a Flames free-agent deal.
For Yegorov, that kind of bridge matters. He’s been to Calgary three times now, and each visit has reinforced the same feeling.
“It's my third time here, and every time it's special, it's like one of the best parts of the year,” he said of coming to Calgary this summer. “Seeing familiar faces, being able to work with coaches, being a part of a family, a Calgary family.
“I’m looking forward to making my next step and coming over here like permanently. That's my dream, that's my goal, and I'll do whatever it takes.”
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