With no Russian hockey team allowed at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov would love a chance for his country to return.
The 23-year-old goalie would be a prime candidate to play for Team Russia in 2030. In an exclusive interview with the Sharks netminder, Askarov told SHD he would do anything he could to get on the team.
“I can’t imagine [that]. That would be a huge honor for me. No matter how I get to go, if the boys grab me to give some good energy in the locker room,” Askarov said. “I can sharpen skates, do whatever they want. I want to be part of the team for sure.”
In speaking with the San Jose Sharks goalie, his reaction to potentially playing for his home nation at the Olympics said it all. There was a clear excitement to his answer.
Askarov has represented his country internationally at the 2020 and 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. The San Jose Sharks goalie led Russia to a silver medal in 2020 and a 4th place finish in 2021. Askarov said those are memories that will last for the rest of his life.
“It’s like memory for all of life. That’s gonna be with you forever,” Askarov said. “It’s something special to show your country to the world.”
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— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) February 9, 2026
While the Sharks’ goalie watched highlights of his teammates at the Olympics, Askarov used his break to reset completely.
“Try to get some rest. I’ve been following our guys; they’ve been awesome,” Askarov said. “They did a great job there. Just watched some highlights.”