Aleksei Kolosov Heads Back to Lehigh Valley as Flyers Hit Olympic Break
The Flyers' goaltending shuffle continues, and once again, Aleksei Kolosov finds himself heading back to the AHL. The 22-year-old Belarusian netminder was reassigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on February 1, just ahead of the NHL’s Olympic break.
This move came after a brief and eventful stint with the big club. Kolosov was recalled earlier-most likely as injury insurance with Samuel Ersson dealing with health issues-and he didn’t waste any time getting back into game action.
That same night, he suited up for the Phantoms against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. It wasn’t his best outing: six goals allowed on 27 shots in a tough loss.
But the Flyers brought him right back up the very next day, February 2, in what’s become a recurring pattern this season.
Now, with the Flyers entering a 19-day pause for the Olympic break, Kolosov is back in Lehigh Valley-where he’s expected to carry a heavy load between the pipes.
So far this season, Kolosov has started 21 games for the Phantoms, posting a 9-11-1 record with a 2.69 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. Solid numbers, especially for a young goalie adjusting to the North American game. His time with the Flyers, though, has been more of a learning curve: four appearances, a 0-2-0 record, a 4.00 GAA, and a .830 save percentage.
Kolosov, a third-round pick (78th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, has been riding the NHL-AHL seesaw throughout the 2025-26 season. It’s not uncommon for young goalies to bounce around like this, especially when injuries hit and depth becomes critical. But it’s also a chance for Kolosov to get valuable reps-both at the NHL level, where the speed and pressure are higher, and in the AHL, where he can refine his game and build confidence.
With the Flyers off for nearly three weeks, the focus for Kolosov now shifts to Lehigh Valley. This is his opportunity to settle in, string together some strong performances, and remind the organization why they believed in him back in 2021.
He’s got the tools-quick reflexes, good lateral movement, and a calm presence in the crease. What he needs now is consistency.
As the Phantoms push toward the stretch run, Kolosov will be a key piece in their playoff hopes. And for the Flyers, every minute he logs in the AHL is another step in his development. The back-and-forth may continue, but that’s part of the journey for a young goaltender trying to carve out a future in the NHL.