Daniil Rusakovich, an 18-year-old goaltender from Belarus, was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round, 149th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft, becoming the franchise’s first drafted goaltender under new chief amateur scout Mark Dennehy. The 6-foot-4, 183-pound netminder ranked 13th among European goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting heading into draft weekend.
Rusakovich played his draft season with Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk in Belarus’s junior MHL, a country that’s quietly become a source of NHL goaltending talent in recent years. Scouts highlight his strong skating and athleticism, particularly his ability to get deep into single- and double-leg extensions and his active scanning from the posts to call out passing threats. His puck tracking after rebounds is considered the main area still needing development.
Rusakovich played his draft season with Bobruysk, posting a 1.94 GAA and a .913 save percentage across 20 games, continuing his development as one of several Belarusian goaltenders catching NHL scouts’ attention in recent draft classes.
Stats and info via eliteprospects.com & other media reporting
Frequently Asked Questions
What team drafted Daniil Rusakovich? Daniil Rusakovich was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round, 149th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft.
What team did Daniil Rusakovich play for before the draft? He played for Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk in Belarus’s junior MHL.
How was Daniil Rusakovich ranked heading into the draft? NHL Central Scouting ranked him 13th among European goaltenders in the 2026 class.
What’s Daniil Rusakovich’s playing style? Scouts describe him as an athletic goaltender with strong post play and active scanning for passing threats, though his rebound tracking still needs refinement.
How tall is Daniil Rusakovich? He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 183 pounds, and catches left-handed.
