Maksim Sokolovskii

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Maksim Sokolovskii
Born (2008-07-12) July 12, 2008
Petropavl, Kazakhstan
Height 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Weight 238 lb (108 kg; 17 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
OHL team London Knights
NHL draft 27th overall, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers

Maksim Sokolovskii (Russian: Максим Соколовский; born 12 July 2008) is a Kazakhstani-Russian ice hockey defenceman for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round (27th overall) of the 2026 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Sokolovskii was born in Kazakhstan but played during his early hockey career at the Yunost program in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where he competed four seasons.[1] He played for Yunost Yekaterinburg at the U16 and U17 level in 2023–24, scoring 15 points in 24 games for the U16 team while having a plus–minus rating of +32, and posting 7 points in 27 games for the U17 team while having a plus-15 rating.[2] After the season, Sokolovskii moved overseas, as he thought playing in North America would lead to him receiving more attention as an NHL prospect.[3] He joined the Atlantic Coast Academy 16U AAA program, scoring 34 goals and 50 assists for 84 points in 65 games, being Atlantic Coast's second-leading scorer for the 2024–25 season.[4]

Sokolovskii was selected in the second round (119th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft and signed with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) on 21 August 2025.[4] He saw limited playing time at the start of the his first year with the Knights but improved as the season went on.[5] Sokolovskii appeared in 44 games, recording two goals and six assists while having a plus-10 rating.[2][6]

Sokolovskii was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, 27th overall, of the 2026 NHL entry draft.[6]

Personal life

Sokolovskii was born on 12 July 2008, in Petropavl, Kazakhstan.[2] He is nicknamed "The Terminator".[7]

References

  1. Zamyatin, Maxim (26 June 2026). "Кто станет первым номером? Выберут ли русского Хару? Главное о драфте НХЛ" [Who will go first overall? Will they pick a "Russian Chara"? Key facts about the NHL Draft]. Sport Express (in Russian).
  2. "Maksim Sokolovskii". EliteProspects.com. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
  3. Usynin, Yury (16 June 2026). "201 см и 108 кг. Русский богатырь ломает прогнозы на драфт НХЛ" [201 cm and 108 kg: Russian giant defies NHL draft projections: Maxim Sokolovsky has caught scouts' attention with more than just his size.]. Sovetsky Sport (in Russian).
  4. "Knights sign defenceman Maksim Sokolovskii". Canadian Hockey League. 21 August 2025.
  5. Pyette, Ryan (June 25, 2026). "London Knights' most unique NHL draft prospects await their turn". London Free Press.
  6. Tricome, Nick (26 June 2026). "NHL Draft: Flyers take hulking London defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii with 27th pick". PhillyVoice.
  7. "Flyers' Maksim Sokolovskii: Monstrous defender drafted 27th". CBS Sports. RotoWire. 26 June 2026.