Promising Penguins goalie prospect Sergei Murashov adapting well to new North American surroundings

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie prospect Sergei Murashov has been in the United States for all of a few days after being added near the 11th hour as an attendee of the club’s annual development camp.

But the 20-year-old native of Yaroslavl, Russia, has adjusted to new surroundings halfway across the world with relative ease, assisted by an already-firm grasp of English.

“It’s very helpful for me here because I can’t imagine if I don’t know English and I come here,” he said Monday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.

“I like it (in the U.S.). I like it because there’s (so many) friendly people. Of course, there are some differences between Russia and the USA, but I (thought) it would be harder to adapt here. It’s been OK.”

A fourth-round (No. 118 overall) selection by the Penguins in the 2022 NHL Draft, Murashov has been refining his skills in Russia’s top junior league for the last several years with Loko Yaroslavl of the Molodezhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga.

Over the past two seasons, he has shown significant promise.

In 2022-23, Murashov went 24-7-5 with a 1.53 goals-against average, .948 save percentage and 11 shutouts.

This past season, the 6-foot, 167-pound Murashov was 24-4-2, producing a 2.03 GAA and .930 save percentage.

As far as Murashov’s immediate hockey future, it’s anyone’s guess, himself included.

Returning to Russia is on the table, as is making the transition to North American hockey, where he could be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League or the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

“To be honest, I need to make a decision where I’m going,” Murashov said. “I have different (options) for my next season. … One of the ways is coming (to the USA). Another way is continuing playing in my native city or go to another team, but first I need to sign the contract to waive out my native club.”

Naturally, gauging Murashov’s comfort with new surroundings in the U.S. is a major component in determining whether the time is right to bring him overseas.

“Sergei is a guy that we’d like to have over if it works out. If not, we’ll put him on the right development path over in Russia,” Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza said. “But we’re happy to have him here.

“It’s important to get him in person for him to be around Pittsburgh, to be with our goalie coaches — just see how things are here. Whether it’s this year or in future years, it just creates that familiarity for him. It’s great that he was able to make it. Even though it was last minute, we did everything we could to get him over here.”

Sergei Murashov is in attendance at Pens development camp. Yesterday assistant GM Jason Spezza was asked when may we see him in the future? @SNPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/YHCqF0YH9n

— Dan Potash (@DanPotashTV) July 7, 2024

Murashov has quickly bonded with Penguins goaltending coach Andy Chiodo.

“He’s a really great coach,” Murashov said. “I like to work with him because it’s a great experience for me. I really like our ice practice, our work and our video meetings, so it’s really amazing for me.”

Furthermore, Murashov got a taste of action in the Kontinental Hockey League last season, with encouraging results.

Appearing in six games for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, he went 3-1-2 with a 1.84 GAA and .925 save percentage.

Acquitting himself well in Russia’s top professional league lends additional confidence that he’d be capable of making a smooth transition into the Penguins’ minor-league system as early as this season.

“It’s great. It’s very high-level,” Murashov said of his KHL experience. “I really like to play; it’s a great challenge for me at a high level, and I really enjoyed every game. I have really good games, and I love it. My experience shows me where I could be better and where I could improve things.”

If Murashov’s head is spinning from the whirlwind of recent traveling and adventures, he isn’t showing any outward signs. But for now, his future remains unclear, with a big decision looming.

“This development camp is also for me to watch how it works in the USA, (what) Pittsburgh looks like and so on,” he said. “I can’t answer this question, but I think it would be (decided) in a few days.”