Danai Shaiikov has one of the most unusual paths in the entire 2026 NHL Draft class. Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the 6-foot-2, 192-pound goaltender came up through Russia’s Omsk hockey system before landing in the QMJHL — a journey that’s taken him roughly 9,000 kilometers from home and into an entirely new hockey culture, where he’s been learning both English and French. The New York Rangers selected him in the third round, 67th overall.
Shaiikov’s draft season with the Gatineau Olympiques was a heavy workload — 50 regular-season games, the most of almost any goaltender in this draft class, finishing with a .903 save percentage and 2.78 GAA behind a Gatineau team that struggled to an 18-26-2 record. He started seven more games in the playoffs, posting a 2.86 GAA and .897 save percentage.
Those numbers represent a step up in competition. Earlier in his development, with Avangard Omsk’s junior program in Russia, Shaiikov posted a .929 save percentage at both the U16 and U17 levels with multiple shutouts each season — performances that helped him climb to a No. 14 ranking among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting heading into the draft.
Scouts describe his game as built on quickness — fast skating, fast reads, and fast hands. He reads developing plays well and adjusts his positioning before the shot arrives, and when he does get caught out of position, he’s able to push across quickly and still make the save.
Stats and info via EliteProspects.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What team drafted Danai Shaiikov?
Danai Shaiikov was selected by the New York Rangers in the third round, 67th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Where is Danai Shaiikov from?
He was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and developed through Russia’s Omsk hockey system before moving to North America.
What team did Danai Shaiikov play for before the draft?
He played for the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL, where he started 50 regular-season games.
How tall is Danai Shaiikov?
He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 192 pounds, and catches left-handed.
What is Danai Shaiikov’s playing style?
Scouts describe his game as built around quickness — fast skating, quick reads, and the ability to recover rapidly when caught out of position.
