Is Wranglers blueliner Ilya Solovyov the next man up?

The Calgary Flames have a lot of impressive puck-moving defencemen in their system. But arguably their most NHL-ready defensive prospect is a shutdown blueliner from Belarus.

Now in his fourth year with the Flames’ minor league affiliate, Ilya Solovyov should probably be the next blueliner called up to the big club.

Originally from Mogilev, Belarus, Solovyov is listed at 6’3″ and 209 pounds. He’s a left shot defender, but he’s able to play either side. He’s a bit of a late bloomer; he went undrafted in his first two years of NHL Draft eligibility (he was playing in Belarus’ domestic league) before being selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft after spending a season as an import with the Saginaw Spirits.

After spending his 20-year-old season as a regular in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, Solovyov signed his entry-level deal with the Flames. He’s progressed quite well over the past four seasons:

• In 2021-22 with Stockton, he had three goals and eight points in 51 games (0.157 points/game)
• In 2022-23 with the Wranglers, he had four goals and 18 points in 68 games (0.265 points/game)
• In 2023-24 with the Wranglers, he had five goals and 15 points in 51 games (0.294 points/game)
• So far in 2024-25 with the Wranglers, he has six goals and 20 points in 36 games (0.556 points/game)

Solovyov was limited to 51 AHL games last season because he spent 10 games in the NHL – he played on the third pairing and the penalty kill and had three assists. So far this season, he’s already set career highs for goals and points… and there’s a lot of hockey left to be played.

Solovyov came into the Flames’ system with a reputation as being a capable shutdown defender who could use his size and positioning to keep attackers at bay. But there were questions about how his style would translate to the North American pro game – and whether or not he could generate offence.