Flames Top 25 Under 25: #21 - Alexander Yelesin

#21: Alexander Yelesin

Position: Defence

Age: 23

Team: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

Signed on May 10, 2019

Last Year Ranking: N/A

Twenty three isn’t old by any stretch of the imagination, but when you’re 23 and haven’t set foot in the AHL AND are behind a good stable of NHL or NHL ready defenceman, you’ve got an uphill battle ahead of you. That’s the scenario for Alexander Yelesin.

Yelesin spent last season with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL and played in 55 games in Russia. It was his second go around with the team and he set career high’s in assists (6) and points (10), which is the best point totals he’s had since 2012-13 when was playing as a 16 year old Lokomotiv Yaroslavl U17 (7G, 9A).

By signing with the Flames in May there’s a very good chance he’ll spend 2019-20 in Stockton and he should get some decent minutes. Oliver Kylington and Juuso Valimaki should be in Calgary, or elsewhere, full time, which will free up some roster spots. The Flames like the kid enough to have inked him to a two year ELC, but like every other ELC it’s a low risk, potential high reward deal.