After being swept by Metallurg in the 2024 Gagarin Cup Final, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl opted for continuity rather than major changes. Heading into the 2024/2025 season, they kept nearly their entire runner-up roster, making just two key additions: Byron Froese and Alexander Radulov.
Lokomotiv`s 2024/2025 season was nothing short of spectacular. The Yaroslavl squad kicked off the year by winning the Opening Cup, quickly established dominance by taking the lead in both the Western Conference and the overall league standings, and clinched the Continental Cup for winning the regular season in mid-March. Their 49 regular-season victories set a new club record.
Lokomotiv`s path to the Gagarin Cup included decisive series victories over Torpedo (4-0 sweep), a hard-fought triumph against Avangard (4-3), and a win over Salavat Yulaev (4-1). The final series versus Traktor spanned five games. Following a pattern seen in earlier rounds, Lokomotiv dropped the opening game but then rallied to win four straight, securing the franchise`s first-ever Gagarin Cup.
Key Players
Alexander Radulov
At 38, Alexander Radulov, one of the KHL`s all-time greats, injected vital energy into Lokomotiv. While his regular-season stats were a modest 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists), the playoffs showcased vintage Radulov: fiercely competitive, highly energetic, and remarkably productive. He led Lokomotiv in playoff scoring and was awarded the Gagarin Cup MVP. His dynamic partnership with young Yegor Surin was particularly impactful during the playoff run. Head coach Igor Nikitin praised Radulov after the championship: “Many people called me asking, `Why did you sign him?` Well, here`s why! I`m incredibly thankful to Sasha, and I hope he feels the same. Athletes like him are rare. Radulov arrived at exactly the right time, becoming the missing puzzle piece. He was the cherry on top.”
Daniil Isayev
Goaltender Daniil Isayev maintained his elite performance level throughout the season. He registered 45 wins across 62 regular season and playoff appearances, posting a stellar 92.9% save percentage overall, which climbed to an outstanding 93.8% in the Gagarin Cup playoffs. With a 1.58 goals-against average and 10 shutouts, Isayev earned his second consecutive KHL Best Goaltender award.
Maxim Shalunov
Maxim Shalunov tied Alexander Radulov for third place in Lokomotiv scoring, recording 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists) in 81 games. He was the team`s most active shooter with 202 shots on goal and led all forwards in hits (138). Crucially, Shalunov was Lokomotiv`s clutch scorer, netting a team-high 12 game-winning goals out of his 24 total markers.
Coach
Igor Nikitin cemented his legacy in both Lokomotiv and KHL history. He holds Lokomotiv records for most games coached (297) and wins (188) in the KHL. In September 2024, he reached significant league milestones, becoming the fourth coach with 400 KHL wins and the sixth with 600 games coached. Nikitin also participated in the 2025 KHL All-Star Game, replicated his previous feat of winning both the Continental Cup and the Gagarin Cup in the same season, and became only the third coach to capture the Gagarin Cup with two different teams. His exceptional season was recognized with the KHL Coach of the Year award. Following the championship victory with Lokomotiv, Nikitin made a notable move, returning to CSKA Moscow, a club where he had previously coached.
Best Game
The defining moment was Game 5 of the Final Series against Traktor. After Martin Gernat opened the scoring in the second period and Steven Kampfer equalized late in the third, the game headed to overtime tied 1-1. Just 8:01 into the extra frame, Maxim Shalunov netted the “golden goal,” securing the victory and igniting wild celebrations in Yaroslavl.
Young Players
The season saw the Lokomotiv debut of 21-year-old goaltender Maxim Mayorov, who appeared in two games, including a shutout in his first start against Barys. Another notable debutant was 19-year-old forward Roman Lutsev. Following an impressive MHL season with Loko, where he tallied 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) in 58 games, Lutsev got a taste of KHL action with three games for the main squad. Daniil But (20 years old) and Yegor Surin (18 years old) established themselves as key roster players. But played 67 games, contributing 29 points (9 goals, 20 assists), while Surin had 21 points (12 goals, 9 assists) in 60 appearances. Notably, But shone during the regular season, whereas Surin peaked in the playoffs, becoming a crucial contributor in the championship run. On the blueline, 20-year-old defensemen Dmitry Simashev and Mark Ulyev made their mark. Simashev played 77 games, recording 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) with a +8 rating. Ulyev appeared in 40 regular season games, registering 6 assists and a +5 rating.
Offseason Moves
Lokomotiv`s primary focus for the offseason is assembling a new coaching staff. Player management, however, appears straightforward. The club has successfully re-signed most of their championship-winning roster whose contracts were expiring, including key players like Alexander Radulov, Maxim Beryozkin, Maxim Shalunov, and Yegor Surin. Additions include defensemen Daniil Misyul and Mac Hollowell, who played in the AHL last season, along with several young players returning from loans at other KHL clubs. Despite these moves, Lokomotiv faces relatively few significant departures. Dmitry Simashev and Daniil But have left for Utah (NHL), and Martin Gernat`s contract expired.
Gareth Tenby