Pyotr Kochetkov Bio
Pyotr Anatolevich Kochetkov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 25 June 1999 in Penza, Russia, he was ranked as the top eligible international goaltender heading into the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and was selected in the second round, 36th overall, by the Hurricanes. After developing through the Russian hockey system, Kochetkov made his NHL debut in 2022 and quickly established himself as a reliable young netminder. Standing 191 centimeters tall and weighing 93 kilograms, he brings a sizable frame and modern technique to the Hurricanes crease.
Early Life and Background
Pyotr Anatolevich Kochetkov grew up in Penza, a city along the Volga River in western Russia, and first learned the game in his hometown. He began playing as a youth with local club Dizel Penza and progressed through the Dizel Sports Academy, where he helped claim the Volga region championship in 2011. That early success hinted at a promising future between the pipes, even though he was still years away from professional hockey.
Driven by a desire to compete at a higher level, Kochetkov joined the Ak Bars Kazan under-18 junior program for the 2015–16 season in pursuit of MHL experience. Limited playing time prompted a return to his hometown organization, and he rejoined Dizel Penza of the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) prior to the 2016–17 campaign as a 17-year-old. He split time between Dizelist Penza of the National Junior Hockey League and the senior club, eventually making his professional debut in relief on 7 November 2016 against Yermak Angarsk, stopping five shots in a 6–1 victory.
Path to Hockey
On 8 July 2017, Kochetkov signed his first Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) contract, a two-year deal with HC Sochi, and was assigned to junior farm club Kapitan Stupino for development. He returned to the VHL in 2018–19 with HC Ryazan, Sochi’s affiliate, and was called up to practice with the parent club throughout the season. He made his KHL debut on 1 October 2018, taking a 4–2 loss to Jokerit at age 19, before heading back to Ryazan for their postseason run.
In 2019, Kochetkov was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg and later moved to HC Vityaz and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, gaining valuable experience across the Russian professional ranks. On the international stage, he represented Russia at the 2019 World Junior Championships in Vancouver, where he started five games, recorded four wins, and helped his country capture a bronze medal. His standout play earned him the tournament’s Best Goaltender award, reinforcing his reputation as one of the top young Russian netminders of his generation.
Pyotr Kochetkov Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Kochetkov’s earliest professional chapter began at Dizel Penza, where he made eight appearances in 2016–17 and earned his first senior victory on 11 January 2017, a 4–2 decision over Ariada Volzhsk. A year later, he split time with Kapitan Stupino, where sparse offensive support limited his win total to six despite a steady .917 save percentage. Those developmental years shaped his composure under pressure and gave him a platform to push toward the KHL.
Promoted to HC Sochi in 2018–19, he balanced VHL duty with two KHL appearances and contributed to Ryazan’s playoff push. Each step broadened his resume and prepared him for a heavier workload at the top level of Russian hockey.
KHL Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Following his 21 May 2019 trade to SKA Saint Petersburg, Kochetkov opened the 2019–20 season on the roster, starting the first five games before a brief VHL stint. He returned to SKA, posted three wins in six contests, and was dealt to HC Vityaz on 18 October 2019. With Vityaz he appeared in eight games, recording one win and a .917 save percentage while serving as the club’s third goaltender.
The 2020–21 season brought more movement, with a late-year trade to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on 27 December 2020. Across stops at Vityaz, Ryazan, and Torpedo, Kochetkov continued to log minutes in both the KHL and VHL, refining his game and positioning himself for a return to North America.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2021–Present)
On 2 May 2021, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Kochetkov to a two-year entry-level contract, bringing him into the organization after his draft rights had been held since 2019. He made his NHL debut on 23 April 2022, earning back-to-back victories over the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. A day after his playoff relief appearance against the Boston Bruins on 4 May 2022, in which he stopped 30 shots in a 5–2 win, he helped lead the AHL’s Chicago Wolves to the Calder Cup championship on 25 June 2022.
He recorded his first NHL shutout on 14 November 2022, a 3–0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and signed a four-year contract extension on 23 November 2022 that runs through the 2026–27 season. On 3 March 2023, playing for the Chicago Wolves, he scored a memorable long-distance goal against the Manitoba Moose, an unusual highlight for a goaltender that quickly circulated online.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kochetkov combines his 191-centimeter frame with sharp lateral movement and an aggressive challenge in the crease. He reads the play quickly, tracks pucks through traffic, and uses his size to cover the lower portion of the net effectively. Working closely with the Hurricanes’ coaching staff and goaltending personnel, he continues to develop a composed, technically sound style that fits Carolina’s structured defensive system.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements are his Calder Cup win in 2022, his first NHL playoff victory in relief of Antti Raanta, and his first NHL shutout against Chicago. The 2023 long-distance goal for the Wolves stands out as one of the most unusual moments of his career, and his Best Goaltender award at the 2019 World Juniors remains a defining early honor.
Pyotr Kochetkov Career Wins
Across Russian junior, VHL, KHL, AHL, and NHL play, Kochetkov has accumulated wins in multiple leagues, with his first professional victory coming on 11 January 2017 against Ariada Volzhsk. His most recent notable win highlighted here is the 3–0 shutout of the Chicago Blackhawks on 14 November 2022.
KHL and AHL Highlights
In the KHL, Kochetkov posted wins with Sochi, SKA Saint Petersburg, Vityaz, and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, including a strong .917 save percentage during his time with Vityaz. In the AHL, he anchored the Chicago Wolves to the 2022 Calder Cup and added a viral scoring moment in 2023.
NHL Highlights
His NHL ledger opened with consecutive wins over the Devils and Islanders in April 2022, followed by a five-save playoff win over Boston and a shutout of Chicago later that fall. Each milestone has helped him secure a longer-term role with the Hurricanes.
Pyotr Kochetkov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kochetkov’s father is Anatoly, reflected in his patronymic, Pyotr Anatolevich. The Penza native grew up immersed in the local hockey culture, and his progression through Dizel Penza’s youth system suggests strong family support during his early development.
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Kochetkov’s personal life are limited, and he keeps his private affairs away from the spotlight. He resides in the Raleigh, North Carolina area during the NHL season, where he focuses on his career with the Carolina Hurricanes.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 calendar year, Kochetkov remains a central part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ goaltending group under a contract that runs through 2026–27. The Hurricanes continue to lean on his size, athleticism, and growing NHL experience as they pursue deep playoff runs in the Eastern Conference. His partnership with the team’s coaching staff is expected to remain a key factor in his development.
With Frederik Andersen and other netminders in the mix, Kochetkov is positioned to shoulder a meaningful share of Carolina’s regular-season workload while contributing in high-leverage playoff games. Consistency, injury management, and continued refinement of his technique will shape his 2025 trajectory. The organization has signaled long-term confidence in his ability to be a difference-maker between the pipes.