Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov Always ask the other shooter to ask himself questions.
The 21-year-old Pittsburgh rookie provided a lot of answers while also learning about himself in his first full AHL season.
Murashov is atop the NHL goaltender rankings for the 2025-26 season. He currently has a 20-6-1 record in 28 games with the Penguins, ranking third in goals against average at 2.13, fourth in save percentage at .924, and tied for third with three saves — most recently a 25-save performance against Bridgeport on Sunday afternoon.
with Murashov and Joel Blomquist (9-4-3, 2.57, .911) The Penguins share the goaltending duties and can challenge opponents one-on-two, making them a dangerous matchup in the playoffs.
Murashov's speed and agility are immediately noticeable. Most important, however, is a strong willingness to challenge yourself and learn. It’s a combination of pragmatism, gratitude, and desire, while also acknowledging that while fear exists, it can be controlled.
“One of the most important things in life is to accept what is given to you,” Murashov explains.
Murashov isn't a surefire candidate to jump into the NHL quickly. Pittsburgh selected him with a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, and he came through Lokomotiv Yaroslavl's youth development program and appeared in seven games in the KHL. It would have been easy for him to stay in the city of his birth, Yaroslavl, and continue playing until he felt ready to come to North America.
Murashov showed some real potential, but there are plenty of young players with potential.
So he took a chance and pushed himself into uncomfortable situations. First came development camp in Pittsburgh in 2024, his first trip to the United States — though he arrived with the ability to converse in English. It's a chance for the Penguins to see him up close, while also giving the 20-year-old Murashov a chance to see what he might face in North America.
Three weeks later, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh. Sure, it's an opportunity, but it comes with a major uphill climb.
President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Pittsburgh Kyle Dubas He has long believed in a three-tier organizational structure that prioritizes development at the AHL and ECHL levels, dating back to his time with the Toronto Marlies and Maple Leafs. The depth chart also includes Blomqvist, Philip Larson and Taylor GauthierAfter that, Murashov went to Wheeling of the ECHL to start his rookie season.
Sure enough, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton opportunity presented itself, and Murashov performed well enough to even get a chance to play in the Calder Cup playoffs.
This season, Murashov has clearly taken another big step forward. After a strong performance in the NHL preseason, he was named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for October. He made his NHL debut shortly after, making 24 saves against Los Angeles and looking quite capable. He stayed in Pittsburgh for the 2025 NHL Global Series and earned his first NHL win – a game-winner – against Nashville in Stockholm, Sweden.
He barely slowed down. So far, he has helped Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to a record of 35 wins, 13 draws, 3 losses and 2 losses, ranking third in the league standings. Earlier this month, he represented the Penguins in the AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford.
Murashov has successfully embraced processes and routines while also being able to step outside of them when given the opportunity.
“I really enjoy our team — coming to the ice, working with great people, learning from the coaches and focusing on the process,” Murashov elaborated. “But at the same time, we have moments in the season where – I wouldn't say we close our minds, but we just change circumstances and gain new emotions, new memories, and that's really precious.”
Young adulthood brings life challenges and changes to anyone, hockey player or otherwise. For Murashov, he had to be away from home and speak a second language while trying to make a career for himself in the NHL. If one enjoys learning, as Murashov does, then it brings ample opportunities to learn and test oneself.
So what did he learn about himself?
“That's a very good question,” Murashov said. “I think, first of all, I can believe in myself and believe that I have the inner strength to overcome any challenge that comes my way in life. I would also say, learn the culture, hockey is just a game and you should have fun playing it.
“Actually, I have a lot of different thoughts. Just be grateful for everything that's been given to you. Accept it for what it is because it is what it is… I'm also going to be thankful for a lot of very precious people that I've met along the way and I'm grateful for them.”
AHL coaches often point out that they have players in front of them for hours every day. That means a lot of time away from the rink. Like any area of life, time away can be wonderful, but time without passion can cause problems. Murashov used this time to grow. If a player has a stressful life off the ice, or is feeling homesick, or just has a sense of not fitting in, problems can ensue on the ice.
Murashov credits his curiosity and coachability as traits that have helped him succeed.
“That’s a lesson I learned from myself — I have this belief deep down,” he said. “Thank you to the Penguins organization and all the coaches. They helped me a lot with adjusting and making me feel comfortable. But I really stay curious. Even now, I'm still learning. I'm still scared to go to Amazon and search for what you guys have here.
“But, at the same time, try new things. Don't be afraid. Get over your fear and enjoy it.”
About two decades in the American Hockey League, TheAHL.com feature writer Patrick Williams also currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. In 2016, he received the AHL's James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of the league.
