Following a season with CSKA Moscow, Russian goaltender Ivan Prosvetov is making another attempt to carve out a place for himself in the NHL.He has recently entered into an agreement with the Calgary Flames., where he will face off againstDustin Wolf, one of the standout players from last season. In this translated interview, first published on a Russian websiteSport-Express, Prosvetov discussed his choice to come back to the NHL, departing from CSKA, and his time at the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) 3-on-3 Hockey Festival.
Recently, the Russian goaltender has been playing in the KHL 3-on-3 Hockey Festival. This style presents many unique challenges for goalies. "It was a fascinating experience," Prosvetov mentions. "I'm already in good shape, but not quite at my best — I had a month and a half off. The tournament was enjoyable, and it was great to reconnect with the team."
The goaltender is already preparing for the upcoming season. "I've already attended an eight-day training camp with goalie coach Oleg Romashko," he mentions. "I'm slowly returning to my season preparation." The 3-on-3 format was beneficial, and may help goalies avoid getting too chilly during games. "Absolutely," he affirms. "You're constantly involved. Honestly, it can be challenging at times. I allowed one goal after losing concentration. My risk management didn't work — we lost the puck in our own zone. But that's 3-on-3 hockey: small ice surface, you must always remain focused. At least they don't permit shots from the opposite side of the rink."
Return to the NHL
Following his 2024-25 season with CSKA Moscow in the KHL, Prosvetov decided to return to North America, signing with the Flames. “The NHL is every hockey player’s dream,” says the native of Moscow regarding his choice. “Calgary had been reaching out to me for some time. They wanted to sign me after my stint in Colorado, but I opted to return to Russia. You could say they waited for me and presented a strong offer based on where I am now. A one-way contract was what I was aiming for, so I took it. There were KHL offers as well, but I went with the NHL.”
Ultimately, with a one-way contract, Prosvetov has an opportunity to vie for a starting position in the league. Nevertheless, he will face significant challenges from Wolf before ultimately proving himself in the NHL, which he hasn't managed to do with previous teams. "I had a taste of the NHL with Colorado, but I was sent down to the minor league," the goaltender recalls. "Now I have a one-way deal, which is a bit different. I had a good stint in Russia, so I believe I have a genuine chance. Wolf is a strong goaltender — we'll challenge each other and benefit the team."
Obtaining a one-way agreement was likely a crucial part of Prosvetov's discussions to prevent being immediately assigned to the farm team. "To put it another way: I received offers with higher contract values from other teams, but they had fewer opportunities," the goaltender explains. "Calgary also has strong competition, but at this moment, it's the most suitable choice for me. Money wasn't the main factor here."
Although he was with CSKA, Prosvetov stated he was happy with how last season turned out. "It definitely had more positive moments than negative ones," he confirms. "Statistically, I was among the top goalies in the KHL. For a long time, I was leading the league in all important categories. I came close to breaking"Ilya SorokinHis record for victories. I think it was a solid season. I'm really thankful to CSKA — it's an honor to play for such a renowned club. That will always remain with me." He left CSKA "on positive terms," the goalkeeper says. "I expressed my thanks to everyone. I can only speak highly of the club, the team, the coaches, and the management. I'm very appreciative for the chance to play for the most prestigious team in our country."
KHL Exposure Beneficial for NHL
Furthermore, his time in the KHL provided him with something that could be highly beneficial even at the NHL level. "Playing for CSKA isn't easy — you have a significant amount of responsibility when wearing that jersey. It's one of the most respected clubs in Europe. You can't go into your work with anything less than 100 percent. That experience is something I'll carry with me to Calgary."
In recent years, few Russian players have been able to remain in Calgary for an extended period. However, this doesn't appear to be an issue for Prosvetov. "I'm not worried about it at all," he states. "I don't believe that kind of division truly exists in the NHL. No one cares about your origin. If you stop pucks or score goals, you'll get playing time. Of course, sometimes things don't go as planned—maybe someone didn't fit in—but I don't think it's a trend."
So far, Prosvetov has played 24 games in the NHL. In Calgary, he aims to accumulate many more. "Hockey is amazing because a comeback can happen fast and easily," the goaltender mentions about his new opportunity in the league. "Even if things don't go as planned, you keep pushing, have a solid season, and you'll get another chance—whether it's in the KHL or AHL. The important thing is not to give up if things don't go your way. I have the size, the experience, and good health—now I just need to keep moving forward."
Prosvetov has significantly more experience in the AHL, having played over 150 career games across five seasons. He recalls his time in the league clearly and recognizes its significance. "Many players spend time in the AHL — it's a part of the job. We always give our best. It's hard to determine if it's 'appropriate' or not. Take Calvin Pickard, for instance —"he might end up securing two Stanley Cups, but he continued playing in the AHL until he turned 30. Professional sports is a challenging field, but naturally, I'll be doing everything possible to secure a position on Calgary's primary team.
The goaltender has already planned his move to Calgary. "I'm most likely going to be there in September. For now, I'll continue training in Russia and spending time with my family." With a solid offseason strategy in place, things are looking positive for Prosvetov's time with the Flames. Now, it's all up to him.
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