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Vancouver Canucks sign goaltender Aleksei Medvedev to NHL contract

Rob Williams
Rob Williams
|
Jul 10 2025, 10:09 pm
Vancouver Canucks sign goaltender Aleksei Medvedev to NHL contract
@Canucks/X

Twenty-four hours after signing first-round pick Braeden Cootes to an entry-level contract, the Vancouver Canucks have signed their second-rounder.

Goaltender Aleksei Medvedev, drafted by 47th overall by Vancouver last month, has signed a three-year, entry-level contract, the Canucks announced Thursday afternoon.

“Aleksei is an important addition to our organizational depth in goal and his signing is a great thing for our hockey club,” said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin. “He showed us a lot at development camp and has a bright future if he continues to build on his skill set and fundamentals. We look forward to monitoring his progress and helping him develop into a solid pro.”

The Canucks have gotten Cootes and Medvedev under contract remarkably quick, given that neither player is expected to play NHL minutes next season. It has some wondering if they’re moves are designed in part to keep them away from playing NCAA hockey.

Cootes (WHL) and Medvedev (OHL) each played major junior hockey in Canada last season. That would have made them ineligible for U.S. college hockey in the past, but NCAA rules have since changed to allow it. Super-prospect Gavin McKenna proved that this week, when he moved from Medicine Hat to Penn State.

There exists the possibility for NCAA players to play out four years of college hockey and become unrestricted free agents. Players can force trades to preferred NHL destinations after their third year by threatening such a move. By signing NHL contracts, Cootes and Medvedev are now ineligible for the NCAA, likely keeping them in junior hockey until they turn pro.

Medvedev, 17, was the fourth goaltender taken at the 2024 NHL Draft last month. The 6-foot-3 netminder from St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared in 34 games with the London Knights last season, posting a 22-8-2 record and a .912 save percentage.

“It’s an indescribable feeling, just really, really excited,” Medvedev told reporters at the draft in Los Angeles last month.

“I’m just a structured goalie, I use my athleticism well. I’m a winner, too.”

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