Sharks’ Yaroslav Askarov out against Flyers with illness, Justin Kowalkoski signed to ATO

The San Jose Sharks have announced that goaltender Yaroslav Askarov will not play in Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers due to an illness, and that they’ve signed Justin Kowalkoski to an amateur tryout contract.

According to reports earlier in the day, Askarov was not the intended starter for Tuesday’s game, as Alex Nedeljkovic was expected to take the crease. However, Askarov was dealing with an illness during morning skate, so they weren’t entirely sure if he would be able to back up Nedeljkovic. Just before the start of the game, the Sharks was confirmed that he would not be playing.

With the absence occurring at such short notice before the game, the Sharks were unable to recall a goaltender from their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, who are currently back in San Jose. As a result, they signed Kowalkoski to an ATO to serve as an emergency backup goaltender for Nedeljkovic in the event of injury.

According to Elite Prospects, Kowalkoski last played hockey in 2007-08 with Colgate University in the NCAA. The 39-year-old spent four seasons with Colgate University, playing in three of them with save percentages of .912, .872 and .863 in 18 games. While he acts as the emergency backup goalie for the Flyers, he’s retired and is a geologist.

Kowalkoski has served as an emergency backup once before, doing so for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018-19 season when they had visited the Flyers. He did not enter the game.

Askarov has had an incredible rookie season for the Sharks, as despite a pedestrian 10-8-1 record and .903 SV%, his 1.75 5v5 goals saved above expected better indicates how he’s helped elevate San Jose this season. He’s one of the many players in the Calder Trophy race this season, although Matthew Schaefer, Ivan Demidov, Beckett Sennecke, and fellow goaltender Jesper Wallstedt are also making strong cases.