Ilya Solovyov

Ilya Ivanovich Solovyov (; born 20 July 2000) is a Belarusian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Internationally, he played for Belarus at the 2021 World Championship.

Playing career Solovyov played as a youth in Belarus, developing within the Belarus under-20 team while participating in the Belarusian Extraliga (BXL). He was selected 53rd overall in the 2019 CHL Import Draft by the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and made his North American major junior debut in the following 2019–20 season, where he scored seven goals and had 33 assists for 40 points in 53 games.

He was drafted in the seventh round, 205th overall, in the 2020 NHL entry draft by the Calgary Flames and returned to Belarus to play with Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). As a rookie in the 2020–21 season, Solovyov recorded two goals and seven assists for nine points and 36 penalty minutes in 41 games.

Solovyov was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames on 6 April 2021. Solovyov earned his first NHL point after Connor Zary deflected Solovyov's shot from the point and scored during a 5 December 2023 game against the Minnesota Wild.

Before the start of the 2024–25 NHL season, Solovyov re-signed with the Flames as a restricted free agent on a two-year contract on 18 September 2024. He played the majority of the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Calgary Wranglers and registered six goals and 28 points through 59 appearances, sharing the team lead in goals among blueliners. Solovyov also made five appearances with the Flames, posting one assist.

Approaching the 2025–26 season, on 2 October 2025, Solovyov was placed on waivers by the Flames, and was claimed by the Colorado Avalanche the following day. Solovyov scored his first NHL goal during a 10 January 2026 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on 20 January 2026, in exchange for Valtteri Puustinen and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick.

International play Solovyov represented Belarus at the 2021 World Championship.

Personal life Solovyov married his wife, Vlada, in May 2021. Their son was born in July 2024.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 2018 Belarus U18 5 0 0 0 2 2019 Belarus WJC-D1 5 0 0 0 0 2019 Belarus WC-D1 5 0 0 0 0 2020 Belarus WJC-D1 5 1 2 3 2 2021 Belarus WC 4 0 0 0 2 2021 Belarus OGQ 3 0 0 0 0Junior totals 15 1 2 3 4 Senior totals 12 0 0 0 2