How Were Bruins’ Matvei Kotkov, Yuri Ivanov First Steps in Boston?

This year, the Boston Bruins drafted more than one Russian player for the first time since 2002. Furthermore, for the first time since 1994, they selected a Russian goaltender.

The Bruins surprised many fans with their second-round selection. Instead of addressing their blue line, as expected, Boston used the No. 56 overall pick on Russian goaltender Yuri Ivanov.

Ivanov, 17, spent his early career with Spartak’s junior team in Moscow and appeared in the Kharlamov Cup playoffs, posting a .928 save percentage. 

The Kharlamov Cup is the championship trophy of Russia’s junior hockey league, and Ivanov was named the best goaltender of the Kharlamov Cup quarterfinals.

In those playoffs, Ivanov faced another Bruins draft pick, Matvei Kotkov, whose Loko Yaroslavl team defeated Spartak and won the Kharlamov Cup.

The Bruins selected Kotkov, the youngest playoff MVP in the Russian junior league, in the fourth round at No. 104 overall. The forward finished the 2025-26 playoffs with nine goals and six assists in 18 games as Loko Yaroslavl captured the Kharlamov Cup.

This summer, Kotkov and Ivanov traveled to Boston for the development camp, held June 29 through July 2 at Warrior Ice Arena.

While there, they both quickly became the center of attention.

Yuri Ivanov and Matvei Kotkov Go From Rivals to Teammates

Ivanov and Kotkov were not shy about showcasing their camaraderie and friendly rivalry. 

“I tease him (Ivanov), telling him that I won,” Kotkov said with a smile in the locker room after the third day of camp. “I asked him how much the Cup weighs. ‘You don’t know?’ Well, of course you don’t.”

Ivanov admitted that traveling with a friend made the process much easier. “It wouldn’t have been as comfortable traveling alone,” Ivanov said. “But once the two of us went together, we made all the decisions together. We dealt with the airport issues together, too. It made everything a lot easier,” the goaltender said.

Ivanov and Kotkov’s Camp Days

Both players adapted quickly to a new environment. 

Making new friends, even with a language barrier, hasn’t been too difficult for either player, they said.

At the camp, Ivanov trained alongside Roberto Henriquez, selected No. 170 overall this year and committed to Boston College for the 2026-27 season, Kyle Chauvette, an invitee from the University of New Hampshire, and Max Lundgren, a Bruins free-agent signing from Merrimack College.

Last summer, the Bruins drafted Kotkov’s Loko Yaroslavl teammate Kirill Yemelyanov at No. 165 overall. Kotkov said he asked Yemelyanov about the training process in Boston, but not about what life was like off the ice.

“I wanted to find out for myself how everything works here,” Kotkov said.

After the final day of development camp, Director of Player Development Adam McQuaid highlighted Kotkov’s pace of play and skill level during his press conference.

Adjusting to the North American Game

Developing in Russia, both prospects said they had to adjust to a different style of hockey in Boston.

Kotkov said the pace of play here was faster, with players attacking the net more often and competing harder in puck battles. Still, he said he adapted quickly.

Ivanov noticed many of the same differences. “Everything is faster here — the speed, the shots, maybe even the passing,” said Ivanov. “It’s a different game. As a goaltender, you have to play a little differently than in Russia. There, I play more aggressively. Here, I have to play a little deeper in my crease and read the situation.”

McQuaid said he does not think an international development background affects how players perform at development camp. Rather, it comes down to hockey skills, the director of player development said.

Now the Prospects Return to Russia

Don Sweeney emphasized immediately after the draft that Ivanov will continue developing in Russia for at least two years. 

He later added that the Bruins closely monitor all of their overseas prospects. “We’re going to utilize each and everybody to make sure our players know that we’re following their development,” the Bruins’ general manager said.

Kotkov said he plans to continue working on his endurance, first-step quickness and shooting ability. Meanwhile, Ivanov is going to further improve his ability to read and react to shots.

Development camp offered a first look at how both prospects adapted to a new environment, a different style of hockey and a new coaching staff. They now return home with clearer development goals and a better understanding of what it will take to continue their path toward professional hockey.