Dmitri Borichev
2025-26 Team: Loko Yaroslavl / MHL – Junior Hockey League (Russia)
Date of Birth: June 9, 2008
Place of Birth: Vologda, Russia
Ht: 6-foot-3 Wt: 198 pounds
Catches Left
Position: Goaltending
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2025 first-year eligible
Rankings
When talking about international hockey prospects who aren’t on the world stage, you sometimes have to start with the basic information and work forward from there to explain why they might garner significant interest on draft night. For Russian goaltending prospect Dmitri Borichev, the NHL draw is easy to explain as the 17-year-old already clocks in at 6-foot-3 and nearly 200 pounds. That frame alone will garner NHL interest, especially when you build upon it with his overall toolkit.
In the net, Borichev is an athletic goaltender with a strong glove hand and elite puck-tracking ability. He understands where he needs to be to make the save without relying solely on his size, which can sometimes become a crutch for goaltending prospects while playing against junior-level opponents.
This net presence is something that is hard to teach at any level of development, which should make him an appealing prospect for a team that believes they can iron out his technical issues. For example, he doesn’t always have the best movement in his crease, which can create open shots through his five-hole. However, these are common flaws for a player of his age, and with time, they can be refined until they are hopefully no longer an issue.
In reality, Borichev’s biggest concern as a prospect is the level of opponent he has been facing. By largely playing against MHL opponents in Russia’s Junior Hockey League, he has posted gaudy statistics like a .930 save percentage in 23 games played. However, we haven’t seen him play against elite competition on a consistent basis, so it’s difficult to project that ability against the world’s best. If you believe in his toolkit, however, he has everything general managers look for in a top-tier goaltending prospect.
Other THW Draft Profiles
Dmitri Borichev – NHL Draft Projection
Immediately when you discuss Russian goaltenders and their potential in the NHL draft, recency bias will point towards Pyotr Andreyanov, who was selected 20th overall in 2025 despite being projected as a second or third-round pick by most outlets. However, Borichev doesn’t quite match up to Andreyanov’s MHL numbers in save percentage, goals against average, and wins, so it’s hard to imagine he will see the same draft-day bump into the first round.
Related: 2026 NHL Draft Guide
Despite this, I still think Borichev’s potential will lure an NHL general manager to take him sooner than many project. He strikes me as a mid-second round pick in the 40’s range, who could move as high as the early second-round.
Quotables
“There are always a few Russian goaltenders who look unstoppable and fly up draft boards. This year, it’s Borichev. He has shutouts in half of his victories so far and has an outstanding .940 save percentage against junior competition.” – Steven Ellis, Dailey Faceoff.
“Borichev moves efficiently within the crease. While not overly reliant on explosive athleticism, he shows solid side-to-side speed and uses his size effectively to close space, allowing him to arrive on angle and shut down the opposite side without excessive movement. However, lateral timing and lower-net sealing can fluctuate. When reacting to attackers manipulating his positioning down low, he can become vulnerable through the five-hole, particularly during shifts across the crease.” – Josh Tessler, Smaht Scouting.
Strengths
- NHL size
- Calm presence in the net
- Elite puck tracking ability
- Strong glove hand
Under Construction/Improvements to Make
- Lack of experience against top competition
- Movement needs to be refined to take that next step
NHL Potential
If you look back at the previous 15 years of international goaltenders taken in the NHL Draft, you will see a lot of players that fit the profile of Borichev. He has all of the components you expect from a top goaltending prospect, other than exposure. This could be a real diamond in the rough situation if teams properly evaluate his potential, with the potential to be an NHL starter if his MHL statistics are indicative of his true potential.
Now, is he likely to be the next Igor Shesterkin or Ilya Sorokin? No, but that’s an unfair standard to hold him to. Realistically, he is a solid prospect with a great toolkit to build upon that will take time to reach their full potential.
Risk-Reward Analysis
Risk – 2/5, Reward – 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Goaltending – 6/10
Dmitri Borichev Stats
Dmitri Borichev Video
