Hurricanes recall goalie Pyotr Kochetkov after injury to Frederik Andersen
.JPG "Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) is helped off the ice by Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) and a trainer during the third period of the team’s NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)")
The Carolina Hurricanes wasted little time bringing in reinforcements after a tough night for injuries in Colorado on Saturday.
The Canes called up goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov from the AHL’s Chicago Wolves on Sunday, the first call up to the NHL for the Canes’ 2019 second-round draft pick.
Carolina’s immediate need for a goaltender arose in the third period Saturday night, at the tail end of a 7-4 loss to the league-leading Avalanche.
With the Avs on one of their many odd-man rushes, Andersen went behind the net to slow the puck down. As he batted the puck away, he slipped backward into the crease and his left knee bent a bit awkwardly. He recovered quickly, though, and made a nice left-pad stop on a shot from the left side of the zone.
He slid to his left to follow the puck, and when he tried to plant his left skate to stop at the proper angle, his knee appeared to buckle again. He rolled to his front side as the play moved up the ice, stretched in a pushup-like motion and remained in the game.
A short time later, however, Andersen pushed off the left post, reacting to a pass from behind the net into the lower right circle. He squared to the shot, kicked it aside, but appeared to again tweak his left leg. This time, he stayed down on the ice, burying his head in his gloves.
After a brief exchange with the team’s trainer, Andersen was helped off the ice and did not return, replaced by Antti Raanta for the final five minutes of the game.
After the game, Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour provided little information, saying only, “… it doesn’t look good. Like you say, it’s a tough night.”
Sunday, a published report said Andersen will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of any injuries he may have sustained.
Who is Pyotr Kochetkov?
Kochetkov signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Hurricanes in May 2021, and the Canes loaned him to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL for the first part of the season. Kochetkov, 22, posted a 10-10-2 record, 2.23 goals-against average, .926 save percentage and two shutouts in 23 appearances, finishing tied for sixth in the KHL in save percentage.
After the KHL announced it would move directly to the playoffs following the Olympics, and with his team eliminated, Kochetkov was clear to cross the ocean and begin his career with the Canes’ AHL affiliate in Chicago.
In 15 games with the Wolves, Kochetkov has impressed. He’s 13-1-1 with a 2.09 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. He’s allowed only 31 goals in 15 games played.
Kochetkov has also displayed a fiery personality in Chicago. In early April, during the third period of a game against the Milwaukee Admirals that featured plenty of rough play, several players — including the Admirals’ goalie — joined a fracas behind the Milwaukee net.
Kochetkov made a beeline from his own cage to try and join the melee, but was intercepted by officials part of the way there.
With his spirited play Kochetkov has quickly endeared himself to his Chicago teammates.
“I think since the day he got in the locker room, we’ve loved him,” Wolves forward and top Canes prospect Jack Drury said after the game. “He’s a great team guy. His play speaks for itself. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a goalie be so good at playing the puck. He makes the saves and he can do things like that.”
Kochetkov was also a star in junior hockey. He was named best goaltender at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship after earning a 4-1 record, 1.45 goals-against average and .953 save percentage to lead his home country to a bronze medal.
This story was originally published April 17, 2022 at 1:30 PM.
