Shalunov Extends Contract with Lokomotiv, Leaves Traktor Behind

Maxim Shalunov, a graduate of Traktor Chelyabinsk, has signed a new two-season deal with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, where he has played since 2021.

Feb 4, 2026

Shalunov was born in Chelyabinsk and began his hockey career there.
Source:
Hockey club Lokomotiv / t.me

Maxim Shalunov, a product of Traktor, will remain with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl until May 2028. The hockey club announced the signing of a new two-season contract on Friday, January 23.

Maxim brought the Gagarin Cup to Chelyabinsk in 2019 but did not do so in 2025.
Source:
hctraktor.org

«Maxim Shalunov has been playing for Lokomotiv since 2021. In less than five seasons, the forward has scored 185 points—104 goals and 81 assists,» reported the club in Yaroslavl. «Maxim Shalunov»s golden goal in the Gagarin Cup final became a bright page in the history of all Yaroslavl.«

Recall that 32-year-old forward Maxim Shalunov is a native of Chelyabinsk and a graduate of the Traktor school. He played for all the club«s teams—the »White Bears« (junior team) and »Chelmet« (Supreme Hockey League). He began his career in the Continental Hockey League (KHL) in the 2010-2011 season with Traktor. However, at that time, he could not show his full potential—lacking experience. He went to America, and upon returning to Russia, he changed several clubs, winning trophies.

Recently, Shalunov has had complicated relations with Traktor. In the semifinals of the Gagarin Cup two years ago, a collision with him led to an injury to the main goaltender Zack Fucale. «Let him in Chelyabinsk… be afraid,» commented then Traktor«s head coach Alexei Zavarukhin. Shalunov explained that he had no chance to avoid the fatal collision.

Last season, Traktor and Lokomotiv met in the final. Shalunov was then part of the top three leaders of the Yaroslavl team. And it was he who scored the final goal in the decisive match, bringing the Gagarin Cup to Lokomotiv.