Matvei Nikonovich, a Belarusian goaltender who turned 18 the day after the draft, was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round, 160th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft, after Pittsburgh traded up to acquire the pick specifically to take him. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound netminder was one of the youngest goaltenders selected in the entire class.
Nikonovich was among the top statistical performers at any position in Russia’s junior MHL this past season, and scouts highlight his unusually quick, twitchy feet that let him cover the crease and make sharp angle adjustments. Evaluators also praise his strong tracking ability and power for a goaltender his age. Pittsburgh’s goaltending department reportedly had him rated highly on their internal board, hoping he’d still be available that late in the draft.
Nikonovich played his draft season with Ladia Togliatti in the MHL, going 20-14-4 with a 1.96 GAA, a .939 save percentage, and two shutouts across 38 games — a save percentage that ranked third in the entire league — continuing his development as one of the more statistically dominant young goaltenders in this draft class.
Stats and info via eliteprospects.com & other media reporting
Frequently Asked Questions
What team drafted Matvei Nikonovich? Matvei Nikonovich was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round, 160th overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft, after the Penguins traded up to take him.
What team did Matvei Nikonovich play for before the draft? He played for Ladia Togliatti in Russia’s junior MHL.
How did Matvei Nikonovich perform in his draft season? He went 20-14-4 with a 1.96 GAA and a .939 save percentage in 38 games, a save percentage that ranked third in the entire MHL.
What’s Matvei Nikonovich’s playing style? Scouts describe him as one of the more talented movers in the class, with quick, twitchy feet that let him make sharp angle and positioning adjustments.
How tall is Matvei Nikonovich? He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 187 pounds.
