Aarif Deen
Selecting for the first time in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Colorado Avalanche selected center Egor Shilov with the No. 43 overall pick.
Shilov, 18, is a skilled centerman who plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 2025-26, in his first season in the QMJHL, he had 32 goals, 50 assists, and 82 points in 63 games for the Victoriaville Tigres. He’ll return to the club for the upcoming season, but is committe to Penn State in 2027-28.
Listed at 6-foot-1, 177 lbs, the left-shot forward from Tyumen, Russia, began playing in North America in 2023-24. He spent one season in AAA hockey before a year in the USHL. Shilov also spent four seasons playing in Russia.
The Avalanche acquired the No. 43 pick as part of the trade that sent Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.