Yaroslav Askarov, one of the NHL's top goaltending prospects, was called up Monday by the San Jose Sharks in a move that had been expected since the start of the season. Askarov, 22, played well for the Sharks' AHL affiliate in San Jose.

Yaroslav Askarov is the San Jose Sharks top goalie prospect and earned his first recall to the NHL on Monday. Vitek Vanecek suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday during the first period of the Sharks game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mackenzie Blackwood will start for the Sharks tonight with Askarov as backup against the Detroit Red Wings.

The San Jose Sharks recalled top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov for the first time since they acquired him from the Nashville Predators last offseason.  Fellow goaltender Vitek Vanecek was injured during the first period in the Sharks game on Nov.