Promising Leafs prospect officially headed back home to Europe for next season

The 21-year-old goaltender was drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has been lights out in the Russian circuits. In his draft year in 2019-20, Akhtyamov went 26-13-6 with a 1.80 G.A.A and a .931 SV with 7 shutouts in 46 games for Irbis Kazan of the MHL - the Junior Hockey League in Russia.

The following season, Akhtyamov split time in the KHL, VHL, and MHL. In 14 games in the VHL - Supreme Hockey League - he sported a 5-4-4 record with a 1.90 G.A.A. and a .927 SV% for Bars Kazan. In 9 games with Irbis Kazan of the MHL, he sported a 5-4-0 record with a 1.66 G.A.A. and a .935 SV% and appeared in 3 KHL games with a 2.90 G.A.A and a .904 SV%.

In 2021-22 he spent the majority of his time in the VHL with Bars Kazan going 9-17-9 but with a .912 SV% and a 2.69 G.A.A. Playing for Neftyanik Almetievsk of the VHL this season, he was spectacular to say the least, going 20-12-6 with a 1.74 G.A.A and a.943 SV%, while finishing 2-4 in the playoffs sporting a 1.53 G.A.A and a .952 SV%.

He is expected to spend the season in the KHL this year and will be battling fellow goaltenders in Timur Bilyalov and Amir Miftakhkov for time in the crease - both of whom had strong seasons last year. Bilyalov had a 2.16 G.A.A and a .923 SV%, while Miftakhov had a 2.20 G.A.A and a .917 SV%.

Akhtyamov signed his 3-year ELC with the Leafs on July 1st.