Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Josh Leivo set the KHL’s single-season record for goals, notching his 49th goal of the season for Ufa Salavat Yulaev.
Leivo created a turnover and raced away for his record-setting goal, as his teammates cleared the bench to commemorate the historic accomplishment. The 31-year-old broke a tie with Sergei Mozyakin, who previously set the record in 2016-17.
Leivo led Salavat Yulaev to a 4-1 victory over Barys, to close out the regular season. He signed a two-year contract extension with Salavat Yulaev in February.
It’s a true breakout campaign for Leivo, who recorded 15 goals and 38 points in 40 games during the 2023-24 season for Salavat Yulaev.
GOAL 4⃣9⃣
The Ufa bench clears after Josh Leivo 🇨🇦 set new KHL record for most goals scored in single regular season! pic.twitter.com/gRr0DEpw8v
— KHL (@khl_eng) March 22, 2025
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Leivo was selected 86th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2011, and progressed throughout the organization quickly. He split time between the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and the Maple Leafs before emerging as a true NHL regular during the 2017-18 season. Toronto traded Leivo to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Michael Carcone in December 2018.
The power forward spent time with the Canucks, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues, before heading to the KHL for the 2023-24 season. Leivo played in 265 NHL games, recording 42 goals and 93 points.
It’s rare to see a player emerge with one of the best offensive seasons this late in their career, but Leivo’s renewed confidence appears to be shining through in the KHL. Leivo wasn’t trusted by Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, despite showing real ability to score at the NHL level, and his scoring touch was appreciated at other stops throughout his professional journey.
The KHL playoffs begin on March 26, where Leivo is looking to lead Salavat Yulaev to the Gagarin Cup for the first time since the 2010-11 season. It would be the culmination of a truly outstanding season that seemingly came out of nowhere, as Leivo has made his mark as a true goal-scorer overseas.