Pyotr Kochetkov Bio
Pyotr Anatolevich Kochetkov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 25 June 1999 in Penza, Russia, he stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and plays the position with a left-handed catching style. Kochetkov was ranked as the top eligible international goaltender for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and was selected in the second round, 36th overall, by the Hurricanes.
After developing through the Russian hockey system and competing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Kochetkov joined Carolina full time and helped the franchise capture its first Stanley Cup in 2026. He is widely regarded as one of the most promising young goaltenders of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Pyotr Anatolevich Kochetkov was born on 25 June 1999 in Penza, Russia, a city along the Volga River known for its strong youth hockey tradition. He began playing organized hockey at a young age and first developed as a youth player within his hometown club, Dizel Penza. While training with the Dizel Sports Academy, Kochetkov helped the program capture the Volga region championship in 2011.
Driven by a desire to compete at the highest junior level in Russia, Kochetkov joined the Ak Bars Kazan under-18 program for the 2015–16 season to play in the MHL. Limited playing time in Kazan led him back to Dizel Penza, where he transitioned into the professional ranks with the club’s senior team in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) ahead of the 2016–17 season.
Path to Hockey
Kochetkov’s professional journey began in earnest with Dizel Penza of the VHL during the 2016–17 season. Still only 17 years old, he made his professional debut on 7 November 2016, entering a game in relief and stopping all five shots he faced in a 6–1 victory over Yermak Angarsk. Over the course of that season, Kochetkov appeared in eight games and earned his first professional win on 11 January 2017, stopping pucks in a 4–2 decision over Ariada Volzhsk.
On 8 July 2017, Kochetkov signed his first KHL contract, agreeing to a two-year deal with HC Sochi. He was assigned to the Sochi farm club, Kapitan Stupino, for the 2017–18 season before being elevated to the parent club, where he made his KHL debut as a 19-year old on 1 October 2018 against Jokerit. On 21 May 2019, he was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for goaltender Nikita Bogdanov, beginning a chapter that included stints with HC Vityaz and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod before Carolina signed him to an entry-level contract on 2 May 2021.
Pyotr Kochetkov Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Kochetkov’s earliest professional years were spent building experience in the lower tiers of Russian hockey. After a productive debut season with Dizel Penza in the VHL, he joined HC Sochi’s system and split time between Kapitan Stupino in the MHL and HC Ryazan in the VHL. With Kapitan, he posted just six wins in 31 appearances but still recorded an impressive .917 save percentage, hinting at his long-term potential between the pipes.
The 2018–19 season marked Kochetkov’s first taste of the KHL. He made his top-flight debut with HC Sochi on 1 October 2018 against Jokerit and went on to split the year between Sochi and Ryazan, helping his VHL affiliate in the postseason. By the spring of 2019, his strong play had elevated his draft stock, and the Carolina Hurricanes selected him 36th overall.
KHL Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Following his selection by Carolina, Kochetkov remained in Russia to continue developing. After a trade from Sochi to SKA Saint Petersburg in May 2019, he opened the 2019–20 KHL season as a starter, collecting three wins in six games before being moved to HC Vityaz in October 2019. With Vityaz, he served as the club’s third goaltender but still managed a .917 save percentage, demonstrating consistency at every level.
In the 2020–21 season, Kochetkov struggled to find wins early with Vityaz and was reassigned to VHL affiliate HC Ryazan before a late-season trade to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on 27 December 2020. The experience of moving between clubs sharpened his professionalism, and by spring 2021 he was ready to cross the Atlantic and begin his North American career with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2021–Present)
Kochetkov signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes on 2 May 2021 and made his NHL debut on 23 April 2022, earning back-to-back wins over the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. Three days later, he made his NHL playoff debut, coming on in relief of an injured Antti Raanta and stopping 30 of 32 shots in a 5–2 victory over the Boston Bruins. He capped his first North American season by winning the Calder Cup with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves on 25 June 2022.
On 14 November 2022, Kochetkov recorded his first NHL shutout, blanking the Chicago Blackhawks 3–0. Less than two weeks later, on 23 November 2022, Carolina rewarded his rapid development with a four-year contract extension running through the 2026–27 season. The following season produced one of the most memorable moments of his young career when, on 3 March 2023, he scored a long-distance goal for the Chicago Wolves against the Manitoba Moose, firing the puck the length of the ice from behind his own net.
Kochetkov served as Carolina’s primary backup goaltender during the 2024–25 NHL season. Heading into 2025–26, he was part of a three-goaltender rotation with Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen before a December 2025 injury required surgery, causing him to miss the second half of the season. After a brief conditioning stint with the Chicago Wolves, he rejoined the Hurricanes for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and, although he did not appear in a game during the playoff run, earned a Stanley Cup championship with Carolina in 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kochetkov is a tall, technically sound goaltender whose 6-foot-3 frame covers the upper portion of the net effectively. He relies on sound positioning, calm rebound control, and efficient lateral movement rather than acrobatic sprawling. His left-handed catching style and poise under pressure have made him a trusted option in tight games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kochetkov’s most memorable milestones include his NHL debut wins over the Devils and Islanders, his first NHL shutout against the Blackhawks, his Calder Cup championship in 2022, and his improbable long-distance goal for the Chicago Wolves in 2023. He also represented Russia at the 2019 World Junior Championships, where he was named the tournament’s Best Goaltender after helping Russia earn a bronze medal.
Pyotr Kochetkov Career Wins
Kochetkov has recorded victories at every level he has played, from the VHL and KHL in Russia to the AHL and NHL in North America. His combination of regular-season wins, playoff victories, and championship success reflects a steady climb through professional hockey’s top leagues.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Kochetkov has consistently produced wins as both a starter and a backup for the Carolina Hurricanes. His first NHL victories came in back-to-back games against the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders in April 2022, and he added a memorable playoff win in relief of Antti Raanta against the Boston Bruins later that same month. Kochetkov also recorded his first NHL shutout on 14 November 2022 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NHL, Kochetkov captured the Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves in 2022 and earned a bronze medal with Russia at the 2019 World Junior Championships, where he was recognized as the tournament’s Best Goaltender. He also helped Dizel Penza claim the Volga region championship during his youth career.
Pyotr Kochetkov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Kochetkov’s parents and extended family is limited, and he has not publicly detailed a family connection to professional hockey beyond his own development through the Penza youth system.
Personal Life
Kochetkov resides in the United States while playing for the Carolina Hurricanes. He has not publicly confirmed a spouse or children, and details about his personal relationships remain private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 NHL season was a challenging campaign for Pyotr Kochetkov. After serving as Carolina’s primary backup in 2024–25, he began the new season as the third goaltender in a rotation with Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen. He performed reliably in his early appearances but suffered an injury in December 2025 that required surgery and forced him to miss the second half of the regular season.
Kochetkov returned from surgery near the end of the regular season and played a few conditioning games with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. He rejoined the Hurricanes for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, initially as the third goaltender. Although a roster technicality prevented him from starting the Hurricanes’ regular-season finale, he was briefly elevated to the backup role during the Stanley Cup Finals after an injury to Andersen. Kochetkov did not appear in any playoff games, but he was part of the roster that captured the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2026.
Looking ahead, Kochetkov remains under contract through the 2026–27 season and is expected to compete for a larger role in the Hurricanes’ goaltending hierarchy. His blend of size, technical skill, and poise positions him as a long-term cornerstone of Carolina’s crease for years to come.
