When Kyle Clifford sees Artur Akhtyamov in the crease, he can’t help but think of his former Los Angeles Kings teammate, Jonathan Quick.

“It’s just his level of compete,” the Toronto Marlies forward says. “He battles for every puck. He doesn’t give up on anything. They’re different styles of goalies, but that competitive edge (is similar).”

It’s high praise for the Maple Leafs prospect, who is with the AHL’s Marlies this season after spending all of his hockey career in Russia. Quick, now with the New York Rangers, is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with 400 career wins over 18 NHL seasons. 

The Leafs have drafted 11 goaltenders since 2006, but only four have played in more than five games with the club. The 23-year-old’s emergence has bolstered the team’s confidence in its goaltending depth.

“(Akhtyamov) fits in with our group, and it didn’t take long for him to just feel like he’s at home,” Clifford says. “All the guys are loving having him around.”

The netminder started hot, posting a .933 save percentage in his first eight games with two shutouts. Then he went cold and the save percentage dipped to .900 in his next nine starts. And he battled through an undisclosed injury that sidelined him briefly in January.

His journey to the Leafs system began with his local Russian team, Ak Bars-Kazan, where his play led to the Leafs making him the 106th pick in the 2020 draft.  He maintained his momentum,  recording a .921 save percentage in 17 games in the KHL last season.

Listed at six-foot-two, his strengths include speed and smarts.

“The way he moves is something you notice right away,” says Marlies goaltender Dennis Hildeby. “He moves extremely quickly and reads the game very well.”

Akhtyamov didn’t need much time to adapt to North American hockey; he’s just a lot busier. There are more shots from higher-quality players.

“Every time, (they) shoot,” he says, grinning. “Lots of shots.”

His love for goaltending started with a fascination for the gear. While watching a game with his parents, he was drawn to the pads, gloves and blockers. And while he started as a regular skater, things quickly changed.

“When I was a player, I had bad skate,” he says. “And they need me (to be a) goalie.”

Off the ice, he’s like most 23-year-olds — nights of gaming, days spent taking long city walks or building his favourite Lego sets. This season marks a significant shift, however. He is living away from home for the first time.

Akhtyamov’s English was limited when he arrived in Toronto, but he’s picking up new words daily, leaning on a phone translator when needed.

“I know the same words,” he says. “I’m just trying to speak to the players, the team, the staff and coaches, and I learn.”

His teammates understand him just fine.

“He’s pretty quiet just because of the language barrier, but he’s not afraid to sit with you at breakfast or dinner and try to strike up a conversation,” Clifford says. “He’s doing the best he can … Over time, I think with his English getting better, he’s just going to feel more comfortable.”

Having fellow Russian rookie Nikita Grebenkin nearby has made the transition easier.  They differ in many ways — Akhtyamov is more laid back, while Grebenkin chats constantly — but the two have been inseparable since becoming Marlies teammates. They live a seven-minute walk away from each other.   

“It’s better for us,” the goalie says.  “It’s like: I help you, you help me.”

Akhtyamov began the year as the Marlies backup, but has made the most starts this season after injuries to the Leafs tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll triggered call-ups for Hildeby and Matt Murray.

He’s determined to finish the year strong and rebuild his confidence along the way. Before the all-star break, he stopped 33 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Bakersfield Condors. In his first game back, he racked up 28 saves in another 3-2 shootout loss.

Through the ups and downs, Akhtyamov is taking it all in stride. His favourite moment?

“Every moment is my favourite,” he says. “I like win.”