Carolina Hurricanes sign goalie Pyotr Kochetkov to four-year contract extension

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Wednesday that goalie Pyotr Kochetkov had signed a four-year extension that will pay him an average of $2 million a year through 2026-27.

“Pyotr has been extremely solid for both Carolina and Chicago (AHL) since coming to North America last season,” Canes president and general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “We believe he has a bright future in our crease.”

Kochetkov, 23, has gone 2-0-2 this season with a 2.00 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and one shutout in four NHL games.

The guy called “Koochie” by his teammates has a a 5-0-2 record, 2.16 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and one shutout in seven career regular-season appearances with the Hurricanes.

Kochetkov was needed in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs with Frederik Andersen injured, and had 1-2 record in four playoff appearances.

Another injury to Andersen this season has again forced Kochetkov into action with the NHL club again, and he has yet to lose in regulation.

Chip Alexander

The News & Observer

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In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.