The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the
Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.Name: Ilya Nabokov
Age: 23
Position: G
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 181 lbs
Likely 2026-27 Team: Colorado Eagles
2025 Rank: #1
Final Rank: #1
High Rank: #1 (Multiple)
Low Rank: #3 (Ryan, Ezra)
2025-26 Statistics:
Metallurg Magnitogorsk – 38 GP, 2.74 GAA, .901 SV%, 1 SO (22-7-5)
We have finally arrived at the #1 Colorado Avalanche prospect under 25 years of age; returning to defend his #1 status in 2025 is goaltender Ilya Nabokov.
It’s been an interesting journey and case study getting to know the players in the Avalanche system. Along the way, we’ve discussed players with a clear path to the NHL, some whose path could materialize down the road, and others who will need a miracle to earn a debut.
Make no mistake, Ilya Nabokov will play in the NHL as he’s been made promises. These promises have been enough to get him to North America for a debut season with the Colorado Eagles, for now.
Now the question is, are the promises enough to immediately slot Nabokov over Trent Miner as the starter in Loveland? Miner has already proven to be among the better AHL netminders and has had appearances in the NHL, including an NHL shutout.
It’s likely the two split time, but I’d imagine that wouldn’t sit well with Nabokov, who left behind legitimate success (KHL MVP, KHL ROY, Gagarin Cup Champion, KHL Playoff MVP) when he left the KHL.
The key to success and winning the gig, I think, will come at training camp and in the early stages of the regular season. If Ilya can showcase his aggressive and athletic talents at camp against the best of the best, it will be hard to keep him out of the starter’s crease in Loveland.
As far as Nabokov playing NHL hockey, after Scott Wedgewood’s deal comes to an end, he appears to be the natural fill-in to back up MacKenzie Blackwood and a potential starter in Colorado one day.
Nabokov has the tools and the mindset of a proven champion netminder. The question remains: will his game translate to the North American game? I’m optimistic.
Let us know what you think of this prospect in the comments!
If you’d like to hear more of our thoughts on each prospect, head to the Mile High Hockey Lab catalog HERE!
We will be live at 3:45 p.m. MT to discuss #1 and #2 on the list!
2026 Top 25 Under 25
#25 Nikita Novosyolov
#24 Axel Eloffson
#23 Teddy Lechner
#22 Ivan Yunin
#21 Luka Cloutier
#20 Matthew DiMarsico
#19 Shawn Carrier
#18 Domenick Fensore
#17 Tory Pitner
#16 Jake Fisher
#15 Beckett Hamilton
#14 Linus Funck
#13 Alex Gagne
#12 Egor Shilov
#11 Zach L’Heureux
#10 Fabian Lysell
#9 Sean Behrens
#8 Nikita Prishchepov
#7 Francesco Dell’Elce
#6 TJ Hughes
#5 Christian Humphreys
#4 Fedor Svechkov
#3 Mikhail Gulyayev
#2 Gavin Brindley
#1 Ilya Nabokov
HERE ARE LIVE RECORDINGS OF US CHATTING ABOUT THE LIST:
(#10-6)
(#5-#3)
