
That one was for Vlada and Saveliy. When Ilya Solovyov buried his first NHL goal, he leapt into the arms of Brent Burns with a smile as wide as the Front Range. He gave the Colorado Avalanche some breathing room in a 4-0 win Saturday afternoon against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and it was a special moment for the 25-year-old defenseman. Solovyov is happy to be in the NHL, but he has toiled in the background for weeks at a time this year as the club’s seventh defenseman. When one of the best moments of his career arrived, it was clear who he gets to cherish it with was as important as the milestone itself. “I was just happy for myself, proud of the work that I’ve done for the two months when I’m not playing,” Solovyov said. “Happy for my family as well who support me, especially my wife (Vlada). She’s probably (seen) not the best of myself these two months, but she tried to help me as much as she can, and we’ve done it.” When Solovyov arrived in Denver just before the regular season began, his wife and young son, Saveliy, had to stay behind in Calgary. That’s life in the NHL on the waiver wire. The Flames decided they didn’t have room for him. The Avalanche wanted an extra defenseman. So he was on the move. When Solovyov got his first chances to play for the Avs, a nine-game stretch when Samuel Girard was hurt early…
Want more insights? Join Grow With Caliber - our career elevating newsletter and get our take on the future of work delivered weekly.