Leafs reveal plans for two young goaltenders this season
With the Toronto Maple Leafs' Development Camp coming to a close, many were left wondering what the plan was going forward for the two top netminders at camp, Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa. There was some speculation that one or both may remain in North America next season and play for the AHL's Toronto Marlies and ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers, but even if the Leafs were considering it at one point, that is no longer the case.
Assistant General Manager Hayley Wickenheiser announced on Saturday that both goaltending prospects in Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa will return home to Russia and play for their respective clubs next season.
Artur Akhtyamov just concluded a very successful campaign with Neftyanik Almetievsk in the VHL - second highest level in Russian hockey, behind only the KHL. The 21-year-old posted a 20-12-6 record with a 1.74 G.A.A. and a .943 SV% in the regular season and a 1.53 G.A.A and a .952 SV% in a 6 games in the playoffs.
Akhtyamov previously spent some time with Bars Kazan in the VHL and Irbis Kazan in the MHL - junior hockey league in Russia - in 2021-22 where he posted great peripherals but was playing behind some poor defenses. In 38 games with Bars Kazan, the then 20-year-old, posted a .912 SV% and a 2.69 G.A.A. in 38 games.
As for Vyacheslav Peksa, he spent his 2022-23 season primarily in the VHL with Bars Kazan where he posted a 2.34 G.A.A and a .921 SV% in 40 games with a 13-19-6 record. The year prior he played 56 games with Irbis Kazan of the MHL where he sported a 30-17-8 record, a 1.79 G.A.A., and a .936 SV%. He appeared in only 2 games for the MHL this year before being promoted to the VHL.
The 20-year-old was drafted in the 6th round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and stands in at 6'3 and 180 lbs, while his counterpart in Akhtyamov stands in at 6'1 and 168 lbs and was drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
The future of the Maple Leafs crease is in good hands with Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov at the forefront and Artur Akhtyamov, and Vyacheslav Peksa continuing to develop overseas, as well as Dennis Hildeby, who appears to be in line for major playing time with the Marlies in 2023-24.
