Daniil Tarasov Bio
Daniil Vadimovich Tarasov is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 27 March 1999 in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, he began his hockey career by starting to skate at a very young age. Tarasov was drafted 86th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, marking the beginning of his journey into the professional arena. He has played in several leagues, showcasing his talent as a reliable goaltender, and made his NHL debut in a season characterized by strong performance and determination.
Early Life and Background
Daniil Tarasov was born in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia. His father, Vadim Tarasov, was a goaltender for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Russian Superleague during Daniil’s early years. Tarasov started skating at the age of three and showed a keen interest in hockey from a young age. At the age of seven, his family relocated to Ufa after Vadim signed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in 2006. Daniil joined the Salavat Yulaev’s sports school, initially starting as a defenceman before transitioning to the goaltender position at the age of eight.
Path to Hockey
Daniil Tarasov’s journey in hockey began in earnest when he made his Junior Hockey League (MHL) debut with Tolpar Ufa on 16 November 2015. Despite facing a setback due to surgery on his tibia for a tumor, he returned to the ice for the following season, earning the starting goaltending position with impressive statistics. His performance included a 1.85 goals-against average (GAA) and a .928 save percentage (SV%) over 40 games. This early success laid the foundation for his future in professional hockey. After being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017, Tarasov made his professional debut for the Toros Neftekamsk in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) on 10 September 2018, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Daniil Tarasov Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Daniil Tarasov made his professional debut in the VHL with Toros Neftekamsk, where he quickly established himself as a talented goaltender. On 9 January 2019, he recorded his first professional shutout in a 2–0 victory against Bars Kazan. His debut in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for Salavat Yulaev came shortly after, where he also achieved his first KHL shutout in a 3–0 win against Admiral Vladivostok on 14 February 2019. His rookie season was marked by a strong performance, leading to him being awarded Best Rookie in the VHL and a semi-final appearance in the 2019 Petrov Cup playoffs.
Breakthrough (2021–Present)
Tarasov’s breakthrough came when he was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets on 4 May 2019 to a three-year entry-level contract. He spent the 2019–20 season on loan to Ässät in Liiga, where he played 41 games and recorded a GAA of 2.72 and a SV% of .899. His North American professional debut occurred on 3 April 2021 for the Cleveland Monsters in a 4–2 win against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Tarasov made his NHL debut on 2 December 2021, stepping in as an emergency call-up and making 34 saves in a close 3–2 loss to the Dallas Stars.
Notable Works and Milestones
Daniil Tarasov earned his first NHL win on 23 October 2022, defeating the New York Rangers 5–1 while making 30 saves. Throughout the 2022–23 season, he split time between the Cleveland Monsters and Columbus Blue Jackets, backing up goalies Elvis Merzļikins and Joonas Korpisalo during their injuries. On 20 November 2022, he made 47 saves in a game against the Florida Panthers, tying for the second most saves by a Blue Jackets rookie goalie in a single game. On 26 June 2025, Tarasov was traded to the Florida Panthers, marking a new chapter in his career.
Daniil Tarasov Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Daniil Tarasov has received recognition for his performances, particularly during his early years in the VHL and KHL.
Daniil Tarasov Awards Won
Daniil Tarasov has achieved notable accolades, including being named Best Rookie in the VHL during his impressive rookie season.
Daniil Tarasov Family
Daniil Tarasov’s father, Vadim, is a former professional goaltender who played 17 seasons in the Russian Superleague and KHL. He is currently the goaltending coach for Sibir Novosibirsk.
Personal Life
Daniil Tarasov is married and has expressed admiration for several goaltenders, including Andrei Vasilevskiy, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Carey Price. After being drafted by the Blue Jackets, he began learning English to better adapt to his new environment.
