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The Colorado Avalanche selected Egor Shilov with the 43rd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, adding the Victoriaville Tigres center to their prospect pool.
Born in Tyumen, Russia, Shilov moved to North America in 2024 and quickly began adjusting to the smaller ice and faster pace. He split his first season between U16 AAA hockey with the Long Island Gulls and a stint in the USHL, where he posted 28 points in 39 games—an early sign that his offensive game would translate.
That momentum carried into his first full year in the QMJHL with the Victoriaville Tigres, where Shilov delivered a breakout season. He scored 32 goals on an 18.5% shooting percentage and finished with 82 points in 63 regular-season games, adding five points in four playoff contests. His performance earned him QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and pushed him onto the radar as a legitimate early-round draft target.
Shilov’s game is built around offense. He’s a creative center who thrives with the puck, often slowing the game down just enough to open passing lanes or create space for his shot. While he leans more playmaker than pure finisher, his shot is accurate and dangerous when he has time to load up—particularly on the power play.
He also handled a significant two-way workload in Victoriaville, winning 54.8% of more than 1,100 faceoffs, showing he can manage responsibilities down the middle while still driving offense. His ability to produce big nights stood out as well, including multiple five-point performances, two hat tricks, and a four-assist game during the season.
Rankings from a range of outlets generally placed Shilov between the late first and early second round, reflecting a common split in his profile: high-end skill versus questions about pace and skating tempo. At times, he can dictate play; at others, the game can speed past him.
That inconsistency likely played a role in him sliding to No. 43, but the Avalanche are clearly betting on the upside.
Shilov is expected to return to Victoriaville for the 2026–27 season before making the jump to the NCAA with Penn State University in 2027–28. The long development runway gives him time to refine his skating and adapt his game to higher levels without pressure to rush into the professional ranks.
For Colorado, it’s a calculated swing on a player who may or may not be a fit in their system right now, but could later on.
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Born in Tyumen, Russia, Shilov moved to North America in 2024 and quickly began adjusting to the smaller ice and faster pace. He split his first season between U16 AAA hockey with the Long Island Gulls and a stint in the USHL, where he posted 28 points in 39 games—an early sign that his offensive game would translate.
That momentum carried into his first full year in the QMJHL with the Victoriaville Tigres, where Shilov delivered a breakout season. He scored 32 goals on an 18.5% shooting percentage and finished with 82 points in 63 regular-season games, adding five points in four playoff contests. His performance earned him QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and pushed him onto the radar as a legitimate early-round draft target.
Shilov’s game is built around offense. He’s a creative center who thrives with the puck, often slowing the game down just enough to open passing lanes or create space for his shot. While he leans more playmaker than pure finisher, his shot is accurate and dangerous when he has time to load up—particularly on the power play.
He also handled a significant two-way workload in Victoriaville, winning 54.8% of more than 1,100 faceoffs, showing he can manage responsibilities down the middle while still driving offense. His ability to produce big nights stood out as well, including multiple five-point performances, two hat tricks, and a four-assist game during the season.
Rankings from a range of outlets generally placed Shilov between the late first and early second round, reflecting a common split in his profile: high-end skill versus questions about pace and skating tempo. At times, he can dictate play; at others, the game can speed past him.
That inconsistency likely played a role in him sliding to No. 43, but the Avalanche are clearly betting on the upside.
Shilov is expected to return to Victoriaville for the 2026–27 season before making the jump to the NCAA with Penn State University in 2027–28. The long development runway gives him time to refine his skating and adapt his game to higher levels without pressure to rush into the professional ranks.
For Colorado, it’s a calculated swing on a player who may or may not be a fit in their system right now, but could later on.
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