ECHL: Ivan Chukarov Joins Icemen Roster

The Jacksonville Icemen announced another new face to the team’s roster today. The team announced Tuesday that defenseman Ivan Chukarov had been acquired from the Adirondack Thunder in a trade. Jacksonville did not move any assets in the exchange, instead, Adirondack opted for future considerations – often the rights to sign players in the off-season.

Chukarov is a 6’2” 203 pound left-handed shot defenseman who is entering his fifth professional season in the ECHL. Described as a defender with good hands, solid skating abilities, and a good hockey sense, the 28 year old Des Plaines, Illinois native was drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Icemen’s NHL affiliate team the Buffalo Sabres. Chukarov comes to Jacksonville after having spent the last two seasons with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL’s North Division. He also previously played 53 games spanning two seasons with the Worcester Railers, also of the ECHL North.

In his two seasons with Adirondack, Chukarov appeared in 96 games and tallied up three goals and 16 assists. The blueliner made 58 starts with the Thunder last season, scoring one goal and contributing 11 assists. He additionally appeared in one game for the Thunder’s AHL affiliate the Utica Comets. Playing as a member of the Worcester Railers from 2019 to 2021, the defenseman collected 13 points (3g, 10a) over the course of two seasons. His ECHL career began after he left the University of Massachusetts during his senior season, departing with the team to join Worcester. Chukarov played with the U Mass Minutemen for four seasons, appearing in 128 games for the school from 2015 to 2019. During that time Churkarov scored six goals and posted 19 assists for a total of 25 points. Prior to his collegiate career, Chukarov spent two years playing in the NAHL with the Minnesota Wilderness, winning the Robertson Cup in the 2014-15 season.

The addition of Chukraov to the Icemen blueline raises the total number of defensemen signed to the team for the upcoming season to five. Chukarov is the only new addition to the Icemen’s defensive group thus far, with Jacob Panetta, Julian Kislin, Connor Russell and Victor Hadfield all being returning players.