The Green Bay Gamblers announced today that they have added Maksim Zhukov to the team’s 23-man roster. Zhukov played two seasons with the Gamblers (2016-18). This season the Kalingingrad, Russia native suited up for 19 games with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
In the 2017-18 season, Zhukov led all USHL goaltenders in wins (27), games played (53) and total minutes (3,034). He also finished in the top 10 among all USHL goaltenders in goals against average (2.45/9th) and save percentage (.909/10th). Zhukov was named Goaltender of the Week five times over his two-year USHL career. During his rookie campaign in 2016-17, Zhukov posted 2.25 goals against average and .913 save percentage.
Zhukov, 19, was the first goaltender selected in the 2017 NHL draft by the expansion Vegas Golden Knights (4th round/96th overall). Prior to his time with the Gamblers, Zhukov played for Lokomotiv-Yaroslavl in his native Russia.
Zhukov is expected to be in the line-up this weekend. Gamblers host Dubuque on Friday (1/11) and travel to Chicago on Saturday (1/12).