Before the New York Rangers selected Kappo Kakko with the second overall selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, one of the organization’s most prized prospects was Igor Shesterkin, who, before joining the Rangers organization in May, was playing for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.
While playing amongst the best of the best in the KHL, Shesterkin shined between the pipes as he averaged 1.88 GAA in his five seasons with St. Petersburg, including his career-best 1.11 GAA in his previous season with the team in which he started 28 games.
Yes, the KHL is a much different place to play in terms of spectacle, both in fanbase and fame of the league, both nationally and internationally.