A good sign: Alexei Kolosov was wearing Flyers and Phantoms gear while training in Minsk yesterday

Photo Credit: The Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Alexei Kolosov made his 2023-24 season debut in dramatic fashion as he pitched a 26 save shutout for a 6-0 Dinamo Minsk victory. For the season, he compiled a 22-21-3 record with a 2.39 GAA, and a .907 Save Percentage. As the KHL season concluded, the Dinamo Minsk officially announced that Kolosov will be heading to North America to pursue his dreams with the orange and black.

Kolosov played well this past season for the Dinamo Minsk in the KHL. He stands at 6’1 and weighs 187 pounds. Kolosov played in arguably the second toughest league in the world, as he moves laterally post to post well.

This young native of Belarus in Kolosov was born on January 4, 2002 in Minsk, BLR. He breathed, and started playing the sport of hockey practically from birth. His passion for the game found himself playing for the Minsk as he registered a commanding 2.55 GAA, and amassed a .912 Save Percentage in 42 games played in 2022-23.

The young 21-year-old prospect worked his tail off in the offseason to improve his game. He is seasoned and gaining experience. A team can never have too many goalies in their system. I think former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher really liked that he was seasoned, thus selecting Kolosov.

“Kenny Hoodikoff, our Russian scout, and Joak identified him early, playing in Minsk, and then we had goalie guys are confident they can mold into an NHL goalie. In the third round, it was certainly picked out. We were hoping to get him there and it worked out.” – Flyers Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

Kolosov has good reflexes, posseses an outstanding work ethic, and good rebound control. The Flyers have no reason to rush this young netminder, but it does help that he has played in the KHL for developmental reasons. It really shows the potential of Kolosov. He will challenge Cal Petersen for the starting job in Lehigh next season.

Of course, Kolosov suited up in two games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this past season, so he can just ease into next season with little pressure. There have been multiple reports recently published suggesting that Kolosov would like to return to the KHL next season, stating troubles adapting to North America. I mean grant it he was only here in North America for about a month, so it’s highly unlikely it’s about playing time, but it did not indicate having trouble adapting to culture.

It’s typical, especially a young player from Europe, to be homesick here in North America. This is probably the case for Kolosov. Now he can’t just leave voluntarily for the KHL, he has a contract with the Flyers, so he’s binded by that agreement. The Flyers would have to give him permission/loan to leave. I can’t see the Flyers doing that either.

Now I have some good news about Kolosov. Yesterday, I received his picture of Kolosov from Belarushockey.com (Bogan_Mitin5 IG), a very reputable site that gets a lot of KHL news. Kolosov can be seen donning a Phantoms jersey and a Flyers helmet. This is very good news, and a good sign that he will be present at Training Camp. Camp. He was indeed not coming to North America, as some reports have suggested, then he would not be donning Flyers or Phantoms colors in a picture while training in Minsk.

It’s hard adapting to another culture, but Kolosov knew the risks of such, thus agreeing to sign with the Flyers. Kolosov might have been homesick, and that is very understandable for a young man that played a lot of hockey last season before coming to North America for the tail end of the Phantoms season. I cannot confirm or deny anything, but either way, the more he’s donning the Flyers organization colors, it becomes all the more likely that he will be present at Training Camp in the Fall with the Flyers.