COLUMBUS — The Columbus Blue Jackets have secured their top international goaltending prospect, signing 22-year-old Sergei Ivanov to a two-year, entry-level contract.

The six-foot Russian netminder was originally selected by Columbus in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft with the 138th overall pick. Ivanov has spent the last four seasons developing in Russia's premier professional ranks.

Despite signing the entry-level pact, North American fans will have to wait one more season to see him live. Ivanov is expected to spend the upcoming campaign in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with SKA St. Petersburg before his contract slides and officially brings him to Columbus for the 2027–28 season.

Last season, Ivanov excelled in the KHL, appearing in 29 games for SKA St. Petersburg while posting a stellar .928 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average. Over a 108-game KHL career split between multiple programs, he has maintained a highly efficient .923 career save percentage.

While the Blue Jackets' front office waits to transition their prized goalie to American ice, his eventual arrival will heavily bolster a rising goaltending pipeline. Ivanov’s agility and elite positional play position him as a core piece capable of helping return Columbus to the playoffs and, just maybe, Stanley Cup contention.