BU Goalie’s ‘Wild’ Journey Takes Him To Beanpot Glory

BOSTON — What Boston University goalie Mikhail Yegorov experienced Monday night at the Dunkin’ Beanpot seemed unfathomable a month ago.

The Russian netminder wasn’t even with the Terriers to start the new year as he worked on his craft with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL. But upheaval with the Lancers opened up an opportunity for Yegorov, a 2024 second-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, to come aboard with BU earlier than expected.

Yegorov joined the Terriers just days before the start of the spring semester and made an immediate impact, most notably in the championship bout of the Beanpot against archrival Boston College.

Yegorov starred on the elevated stage, leading the Terriers to the title by stonewalling a juggernaut BC offense with an eye-popping 43 saves in a 4-1 victory at TD Garden.

“It was a little, of course, wild, (how) I finally ended up here,” Yegorov said. “It included everything, starting from picking classes back in Omaha and going to Bahamas to get my visa — I’m serious. … It was a lot. I really appreciate it that I have such a trust and happy to just be here.”

Yegorov got his first collegiate start just over two weeks ago and it also came against BC. He committed a procedural penalty by stepping onto the ice too early for warmups and he let in a goal 24 seconds into that contest.

But Yegorov showed he wasn’t fazed by that misstep, displaying composure beyond his years. That was on full display during the Beanpot tournament, especially in the final with BC peppering him with shots and turning up the pressure on him. Yegorov never wavered, though.

It resulted in the 18-year-old earning the Eberly Award, given to the top goalie of the Beanpot. He stopped 69 of 71 shots in the tournament, good for an outstanding .972 save percentage, which is the third-best mark all-time in Beanpot history.

“He’s unreal. He’s been the backbone of our team since he’s got here,” BU freshman defenseman Cole Hutson said. “He’s going to keep battling for us the rest of the year and we’re going to need him. Just awesome to have him. You guys can probably tell already he’s an unbelievable kid and just a guy you want to be around.”

It has certainly been a whirlwind last few weeks for Yegorov. He went from obscurity to being thrust into the spotlight. He’s still getting used to that, but he’s adjusting to it well, whether on or off the ice.

“I can go to the dining hall and somebody will be like, ‘Hey, good job last night.’ And I don’t know this person,” Yegorov said.

Yegorov should expect more of that going forward, especially if he keeps delivering for BU like he did in the Beanpot.

NESN Dunkin’ Beanpot coverage is presented by Dunkin’.