With their 3rd round pick, the Columbus Blue Jackets Drafted goalie Daniil Tarasov. The Russian had an interesting connection to the CBJ before he was even drafted.
The Columbus Blue Jackets added another goalie into their prospect pool in the 3rd round of the NHL Entry Draft. Russian goaltender Daniil Tarasov became the second pick in the 2017 Entry Draft for the Columbus Blue jackets and 86th pick overall.
Tarasov is a native of Novokuznetsk, Russia. The city in Central Russia is the same hometown as 2-time Vezina winner, Hart trophy nominee Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky grew up idolizing Tarasov’s father. The full circle of Novokuznetsk goaltenders has come together right here in central Ohio.
Daniil Tarasov's father, Vadim, was a 1999 draft pick of Montreal & the goaltender @SergeiBobrovsky idolized growing up. #CBJ #2017NHLDraft
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) June 24, 2017
Tarasov is 18-years-old and spent the last full season injured. He had been playing in the Russian Minor League and set to stay over in Russia for next season.
He did have solid numbers as a 16-17 year old before his injury posting a .918 save percentage in the regular season. Tarasov also played for Russia in the World Junior Championships in 2016 where he played very well for Russia. He posted a .921 save percentage in that tournament.
Soviet Block Goalies
Tarasov joins an already young and promising group of goaltenders in the Jackets organization. They recently signed USHL 2017 MVP Matiss Kivlenieks, a native of Latvia.
Related Story: CBJ Add Top Goalie Prospect in Kivlenieks
Columbus already owns the rights to another Latvian, Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins played very well in the 2017 World Championships for Latvia. He almost single handedly led them to their best finish in Worlds ever.
Sergei and Tarasov now make four out of five goalies in the Columbus Blue Jackets system from former Soviet states. Joonas Korpisalo is the obvious exception.
All of the Jackets young netminders, including Tarasov should have plenty of time to mature. With Bobrovsky and Korpisalo the obvious answers for the top club for a while there will be no pressure on the youngsters. Tarasov should expect to spend significant time overseas before even sniffing the AHL.