Danai Shaiikov didn’t know what had happened.
While watching the NHL draft Saturday at a hotel in Miami — the city where he’d been for a predraft showcase conducted by his agents, he said — he stepped away to the bathroom during the third round. When he returned, everyone started clapping and looking at him.
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The 19-year-old goaltender from Kazakhstan, who played for the Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL last season, was surprised that the Rangers grabbed him with the No. 67 overall pick. Shaiikov knew he’d get drafted, but he thought it’d be later. It validated his decision to jump from Russia to Quebec last season. Shaiikov said he wanted to play in North America to help achieve his goal of reaching the NHL after not getting drafted during his first year of eligibility.
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“It’s a good moment for me and for my family, for like all my former coaches,” Shaiikov, the Rangers’ first goaltender drafted since Talyn Boyko in 2021, said Thursday after the final day of development camp in Tarrytown. “But real work starts now for me. It’s like a lot of work ahead of me, so yeah, nothing changed. It’s good, but it’s just one day of good like memories and everything.”
Danai Shaiikov tends the net against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar at Centre Slush Puppie on Sept. 26, 2025 in Gatineau, Quebec. Getty Images
In predraft interviews, Shaiikov said new Maple Leafs goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is his idol but that he compares himself more to Rangers star Igor Shesterkin.
The season in Quebec — when he logged 50 games and finished with a .903 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average — forced him to adjust to a quicker pace on a smaller rink, with more dangerous chances unfolding each game. Shaiikov’s goalie coach helped him change some “structure things,” he said, and it helped him adapt.
Danai Shaiikov tends net during the third period against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada at Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau on Nov/ 29, 2025 in Boisbriand, Canada. Getty Images
“Small details,” Shaiikov said, “but it’s important details.”
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Rangers director of player personnel and director of amateur scouting John Lilley said that goalie scout Scott Clemmensen pushed to draft Shaiikov. He’ll play again for Gatineau in 2026-27, but down the road, once his juniors career is over, Shaiikov could factor into the organizational depth — with goaltenders Hugo Ollas (ECHL last season) and Boyko (Liiga in Finland and AHL Hartford) both not receiving qualifying offers last week.
Still entrenched atop the depth chart is Shesterkin, with whom Shaiikov hasn’t yet spoken but would “of course” consider a cool moment if he does. The Rangers backup situation became complicated with the acquisition of Joonas Korpisalo and the presence of Dylan Garand. But Shaiikov could carve out a role somewhere in the organization once he eventually turns pro.
“I’m just happy to be here,” Shaiikov said. “It’s an honor to be in such a legendary organization.”
The Rangers signed defenseman Dennis Cholowski and forward Glenn Gawdin to two-year contracts Thursday. Cholowski, 28, has skated in 173 games, including 17 with the Devils last season. Gawdin, 29, finished with 51 points in 71 games for AHL Ontario during the 2025-26 campaign.
