Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni Nabokov | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born |
Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union | July 25, 1975|||||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | |||||
Weight | 202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb) | |||||
Position | Goaltender | |||||
Caught | Left | |||||
Played for | ||||||
National team |
NHL Draft |
219th overall, 1994 San Jose Sharks | ||||
Playing career | 1991–2015 |
Yevgeni Viktorovich Nabokov (
Nicknamed "Nabby", Nabokov, who was selected 219th overall
In his first nine seasons in the NHL, all with San Jose, Nabokov became the team leader in nearly every goaltending category, including games played, wins, and shutouts. At his retirement, he had the eighteenth most all-time NHL
Born in the then-Soviet republic of
Playing career
Russia and move to North America
Nabokov first played for his hometown team,
Happy to play for Dynamo Moscow, Nabokov was initially reluctant to move to North America and play for the Sharks minor league affiliates, but decided to on the advice of his parents. Assigned to the Kentucky Thoroughblades, the Sharks' affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), he struggled to adapt to the new surroundings and style of hockey, and was ready to return to Russia during his first year. However he decided to stay after meeting his future wife, Tabitha, and refining his playing style with the Sharks goaltending coach, Warren Strelow.[5] Used as the Thoroughblades back-up goalie, Nabokov only played in 33 games for the team. The following season was much better as he stayed near the AHL leaders in nearly every goaltending category, though he missed time due to appendicitis; he appeared in 43 games for Kentucky, winning 26 of them.[4]
San Jose Sharks
Nabokov started the 1999–2000 season with the Sharks affiliate, the
In the second game of the
At the start of the 2002–03 season, Nabokov held out in a contract dispute. After making less than $1 million the previous two seasons, he felt he deserved an increase in salary, speculated to be around $4 million per season.[8] He missed five games before the team signed him to a two-year contract worth slightly more than $3.5 million per season.[9] Both Nabokov and the Sharks had a poor season, with the team missing the playoffs for the first time in six years, and Nabokov only winning 19 games, and finishing with a losing record. This was improved upon in 2003–04 though, as Nabokov's 31 wins helped the team reach the playoffs again, where they reached the third round for the first time in team history.[10] A further two-year extension signed in 2004 saw him earn almost $4.5 million per year.[11]
Nabokov was considered one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL, and was often ranked as one of the top ten, if not top five goaltenders in the NHL by
During the 2006–07 NHL season, Nabokov split the starting goaltending duties with Toskala. In the Sharks 82 games Nabokov started 49. Nabokov played all 5 games in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2007 NHL playoffs, helping the Sharks defeat the Nashville Predators in 5 games.
During the first half of the 2007–08 NHL season, Nabokov started the first 43 games for the Sharks, however on January 13, 2008, in Anaheim he received his first day off when Thomas Greiss started his first NHL game. Nabokov was recognized as one of the "Three Stars" for the NHL in the last week of December 2007, along with Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Jaromír Jágr of the New York Rangers.[13] In addition to that honor, Nabokov was named the "Sharks Player of the Month" by Seagate Technology in December. Since the 1996–97 season, Seagate Technology has recognized Sharks players who made contributions to further the team’s accomplishments and makes a donation of $2,500 to The Sharks Foundation on the players’ behalf. Nabokov holds the franchise-record for having won this award nine times.[14]
Nabokov played in his
Nabokov recorded 41 wins for San Jose during the following season as the team clinched first overall in the Western Conference and the league. Despite this, San Jose was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by eighth seed Anaheim Ducks, marking just the fourth time that an eighth seed team defeated a first seed team in the first round of the playoffs. On October 17, 2009, he played in his 500th career game, all played with the Sharks, and stopped 31 shots in a 4–1 win over the New York Islanders.[17] On February 11, 2010, Nabokov stopped a career-high 50 shots en route to a 3–2 shootout victory against the Detroit Red Wings, which was also his 11th consecutive road victory, a new NHL record.[18]
Later career
At the conclusion of the 2009-10 season Nabokov was told by the Sharks
Once again a free agent, Nabokov signed a contract with the Detroit Red Wings on January 20, 2011; the Red Wings were one of the top teams in the NHL at the time, and Nabokov signed a contract for just $570,000 as a result. However as he had started the season in the KHL, NHL rules required him to be placed on waivers prior to joining the Red Wings, and thus be available at that salary to any team lower than them in the standings.[22] He was subsequently claimed by the New York Islanders, who were one of the worst teams in the NHL at the time. As he had only signed with Detroit in hopes of playing in the playoffs that year, Nabokov refused to join the Islanders, stating that he didn't make a lot of sense to him why they claimed him.[23] The Islanders suspended Nabokov for failing to join the team, and he sat out the rest of the season.[24]
In August 2011, Nabokov stated that he would be reporting to New York's training camp. He played for the team the entirety of the 2011–12 season, wearing the number 20, and eventually took over the starting goaltender position. He got his first win with the team on October 15, 2011, against the New York Rangers.[25] On January 14, 2012, Nabokov recorded his 300th career win against the Buffalo Sabres, becoming the 26th goaltender to reach the milestone.[26] On March 21, 2012 he signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract extension to remain with New York for another season,[27] followed by another one-year $3.25 million contract for the 2013–14 season.[28]
After New York signed goaltenders Jaroslav Halak and Chad Johnson in the 2014 off-season, it became clear they didn't have plans to re-sign Nabokov.[29] On July 1, 2014, he signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning worth $1.55 million. After posting a 3–6–2 record as the team's backup goaltender to Ben Bishop, he was placed on waivers around the midpoint of the season, February 1, 2015.[30] Following his waivers clear, it was questioned as to whether he would report to Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate or consider retirement.[31] On February 9, 2015, Nabokov was traded back to the Sharks for "future considerations". He announced his retirement on February 11, 2015.[32]
Post-playing career
In September 2015, Nabokov became a goaltending development coach and scout in the Sharks organization; in addition to the Sharks, he worked with the goaltenders on the team's AHL affiliate San Jose Barracuda.[33][34] On December 11, 2019, after head coach Peter DeBoer and his assistants were fired, Nabokov was named the Sharks' goaltending coach under interim coach Bob Boughner.[35]
International career
Nabokov at the 2010 Winter Olympics | ||
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing Russia | ||
Men's ice hockey | ||
World Championships | ||
2008 Russia |
Ice hockey |
Nabokov first played an international tournament with
The IIHF granted Nabokov an exemption to play for Russia at the 2006 Winter Olympics.[37] Nabokov would play seven games during the Olympics, winning four and earning three shutouts as the Russians finished fourth. He next represented Russia at the 2008 World Championships. Nabokov posted back-to-back shut-outs before defeating Canada 5-4 in the gold medal game. He was named to the tournament's all-star team and named best goaltender.[38]
Nabokov next joined Russia for the
Personal life
Nabokov, an only child, was born in
When he moved to North America in 1997, Nabokov initially went by the name "John", fearing that English speakers might have difficulty pronouncing his name.[1]
Nabokov met his wife, Tabitha Eckler, shortly after he began playing in Kentucky. She was a college student and waitress at the time.[2] They were married in 2001. They have two children together, daughter Emily (born in January 2004), and son Andrei (born on February 12, 2007).[43]
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Regular season
|
Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
1991–92 | Torpedo Ust–Kamenogorsk
|
CIS | 1 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 1 | 0 | 3.00 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1991–92 | Torpedo–2 Ust–Kamenogorsk | CIS.3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1992–93 | Torpedo Ust–Kamenogorsk | RUS
|
4 | — | — | — | — | 109 | 5 | 0 | 2.75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1992–93 | Torpedo–2 Ust–Kamenogorsk | RUS.2
|
19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1993–94 | Torpedo Ust–Kamenogorsk | RUS | 11 | — | — | — | — | 539 | 29 | 0 | 3.23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1994–95 | Dynamo Moscow | RUS | 24 | — | — | — | — | 1265 | 40 | 3 | 1.90 | — | 13 | — | — | 810 | 30 | — | 2.22 | — | ||
1994–95 | Dynamo–2 Moscow | RUS.2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1995–96 | Dynamo Moscow | RUS | 39 | — | — | — | — | 2008 | 67 | 5 | 2.00 | — | 6 | — | — | 298 | 7 | — | 1.41 | — | ||
1995–96 | Dynamo–2 Moscow | RUS.2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1996–97 | Dynamo Moscow | RSL | 27 | — | — | — | — | 1588 | 56 | 2 | 2.12 | — | 4 | — | — | 255 | 12 | 0 | 2.82 | — | ||
1996–97 | Dynamo–2 Moscow | RUS.3
|
1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1997–98 | Kentucky Thoroughblades | AHL | 33 | 10 | 21 | 2 | — | 1866 | 122 | 0 | 3.92 | .872 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 2.59 | 0 | .923 | ||
1998–99 | Kentucky Thoroughblades | AHL | 43 | 26 | 14 | 1 | — | 2429 | 106 | 5 | 2.62 | .909 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 599 | 30 | 2 | 3.00 | .907 | ||
1999–2000 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 415 | 15 | 1 | 2.17 | .910 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.000 | ||
1999–2000 | Cleveland Lumberjacks | IHL | 20 | 12 | 4 | 3 | — | 1164 | 52 | 0 | 2.68 | .920 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1999–2000 | Kentucky Thoroughblades | AHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 120 | 3 | 1 | 1.50 | .952 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2000–01 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 66 | 32 | 21 | 7 | — | 3700 | 135 | 6 | 2.19 | .915 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 218 | 10 | 1 | 2.75 | .903 | ||
2001–02 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 67 | 37 | 24 | 5 | — | 3901 | 149 | 7 | 2.29 | .918 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 712 | 31 | 0 | 2.61 | .904 | ||
2002–03 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 55 | 19 | 28 | 8 | — | 3227 | 1415 | 3 | 2.71 | .906 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2003–04 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 59 | 31 | 19 | 8 | — | 3456 | 127 | 9 | 2.20 | .921 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 1053 | 30 | 3 | 1.71 | .935 | ||
2004–05 | Metallurg Magnitogorsk | RSL | 14 | — | — | — | — | 808 | 27 | 3 | 2.00 | .927 | 5 | — | — | 307 | 13 | 0 | 2.53 | .915 | ||
2005–06 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 45 | 16 | 19 | — | 7 | 2575 | 133 | 1 | 3.10 | .885 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 5.00 | .750 | ||
2006–07 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 50 | 25 | 16 | — | 4 | 2778 | 106 | 7 | 2.29 | .914 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 701 | 26 | 1 | 2.23 | .920 | ||
2007–08 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 77 | 46 | 21 | — | 8 | 4561 | 163 | 6 | 2.14 | .910 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 853 | 31 | 1 | 2.18 | .907 | ||
2008–09 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 62 | 41 | 12 | — | 8 | 3687 | 150 | 7 | 2.44 | .910 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 362 | 17 | 0 | 2.82 | .890 | ||
2009–10 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 71 | 44 | 16 | — | 10 | 4195 | 170 | 3 | 2.43 | .922 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 890 | 38 | 1 | 2.56 | .907 | ||
2010–11 | SKA St. Petersburg
|
KHL | 22 | 8 | 8 | — | 5 | 1230 | 62 | 2 | 3.02 | .888 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2011–12 | New York Islanders | NHL | 42 | 19 | 18 | — | 3 | 2378 | 101 | 2 | 2.55 | .914 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2012–13 | New York Islanders | NHL | 41 | 23 | 11 | — | 7 | 2476 | 103 | 3 | 2.50 | .910 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 325 | 24 | 0 | 4.44 | .842 | ||
2013–14 | New York Islanders | NHL | 40 | 15 | 14 | — | 8 | 2255 | 103 | 4 | 2.74 | .905 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2014–15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 11 | 3 | 6 | — | 2 | 554 | 29 | 0 | 3.15 | .882 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
CIS/RUS/RSL/KHL totals | 142 | — | — | — | — | 7,567 | 287 | 16 | 2.28 | — | 28 | — | — | 1,670 | 62 | — | 2.23 | — | ||||
NHL totals | 697 | 353 | 227 | 29 | 57 | 40,152 | 1,630 | 59 | 2.44 | .911 | 86 | 42 | 42 | 5,144 | 208 | 7 | 2.43 | .908 |
International
Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994
|
Kazakhstan | WC C | 3 | — | — | — | 140 | 6 | — | 2.57 | .857 | |
2006 | Russia | OG | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 359 | 8 | 3 | 1.34 | .940 | |
2008 | Russia | WC
|
5 | 5 | 0 | — | 303 | 9 | 2 | 1.78 | .929 | |
2010 | Russia | OG | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 144 | 10 | 0 | 4.16 | .853 | |
2011 | Russia | WC | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | 200 | 12 | 0 | 3.60 | .880 | |
Senior totals | 19 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 1006 | 39 | 5 | 2.33 | .909 |
Awards
NHL
Award | Year(s) |
---|---|
Calder Memorial Trophy | 2001 |
NHL All-Rookie team
|
2001 |
NHL All-Star Game | 2001, 2008 |
NHL first All-Star team
|
2008 |
San Jose Sharks
Award | Year(s) |
---|---|
Sharks Player of the Year | 2001, 2008 |
Sharks Rookie of the Year | 2001 |
Three Stars of the Game Award | 2010 |
References
- ^ a b c McKeon, Ross (September 27, 2007). "Nabokov embraces a clean sheet of ice". NHL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
- ^ a b c Farber, Michael; Sabino, David (December 25, 2000). "Who Is That Masked Man?". SI.com. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ a b c Rabiner, Igor (February 15, 2015). "Евгений Набоков. Папа был прав" (in Russian). Sport-Express.ru. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ a b c Rabiner, Igor (June 16, 2001). "Набоков: Вратарьб, Сын Вратаря" (in Russian). Sports-Express.ru. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ Woodley, Kevin (February 11, 2015). "For Nabokov, career almost abandoned ends at start". NHL.com. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ Khing, Tony, ed. (2007). San Jose Sharks 2007–08 Organization Guide. San Jose, California: SVS&E Publishing. p. 64.
- ^ CBC Sports (March 11, 2002). "Sharks pummel Canucks; Nabokov scores". CBC.ca. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ Johnson, George (October 10, 2002). "Will Nabokov's holdout hinder Sharks' Cup run?". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ CBC Sports (October 27, 2002). "Sharks ink holdout Evgeni Nabokov". CBC.ca. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ "Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov holds back tears as he announces retirement". TheGlobeandMail.com. Associated Press. February 15, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
- ^ McKeon, Ross (August 14, 2004). "Sharks sign Nabokov to $8.85 million deal". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ "Sharks Sign Evgeni Nabokov To Contract Extension". National Hockey League. February 7, 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
- ^ sharks.nhl.com (December 31, 2007). Nabokov, Ovechkin and Jagr Named NHL 'Three Stars' of the Week Archived 2008-02-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on January 27, 2008.
- ^ sharks.nhl.com (January 4, 2008). Nabokov Named Seagate Player Of The Month Archived 2008-01-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on January 27, 2008.
- ^ Kreiser, John (January 27, 2008). "Nabokov just perfect in All-Star outing". Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ "Ten Longest Overtime Games". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Compton, Brian (August 6, 2015). "Sharks keep Islanders winless with 4-1 victory". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ "Goaltender with most consecutive road wins". Guinness World Records. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Rosen, Dan (September 18, 2010). "Cap forced teams to consider other options in goal". NHL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ Rosen, Dan (October 4, 2010). "Nabokov still making transition to European hockey". NHL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ Kimmelman, Adam (December 14, 2010). "Nabokov, Russian team part ways". NHL.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ Khan, Ansar (January 20, 2011). "Red Wings sign goalie Evgeni Nabokov to one-year deal, wait on waiver process". MLive.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ LeBrun, Pierre (January 24, 2011). "Evgeni Nabokov sticking with decision". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ Strang, Katie (April 22, 2011). "Isles to retain rights to Nabokov". Newsday.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "Johnny on the spot". National Hockey League. October 15, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Wright, Corey (January 14, 2012). "Nabokov wins 300th". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ "Nabokov Agrees to Terms on One-Year Deal". National Hockey League. March 21, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Wyshynski, Greg (July 5, 2013). "Ray Emery back to Flyers; Evgeni Nabokov re-signs with Islanders". Yahoo!. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
- ^ Kreda, Allen (December 5, 2014). "With Jaroslav Halak's Steady Hand in Net, the Islanders Roll". The New York Times. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ "Lightning place goalie Nabokov on waivers". National Hockey League. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ "Sharks Acquire Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ Gilmore, Eric (February 11, 2015). "Evgeni Nabokov announces retirement from NHL". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- ^ "Sharks name Evgeni Nabakov goaltender development coach, special assignment scout". Chico Enterprise-Record. September 12, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ "Sharks Name Evgeni Nabokov Goaltending Development Coach and Special Assignment Scout". San Jose Sharks. September 12, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ "Sharks Announce Changes to Coaching Staff". San Jose Sharks. December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- ^ BBC (February 1, 2002). "Nabokov dream crushed". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- ^ "Forsberg missing ingredient for Sweden". MSNBC.com. Associated Press. 2002. Archived from the original on March 3, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
- ^ a b Aykroyd, Lucas (February 12, 2015). "Nabokov says goodbye". IIHF.com. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- ^ Aykroyd, Lucas (February 25, 2010). "Goaltending hurts Russia again". IIHF.com. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
- ^ Podnieks, Andrew, ed. (2010). IIHF Media Guide & Record Book 2011. Toronto: Moydart Press. p. 363.
- ^ IIHF (May 6, 2011). "Ovechkin arrive Saturday". IIHF.com. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
- ^ Mellnick, Keith (September 28, 2012). "Kazakhstan: Hockey Town Grapples with Changing Times". Eurasianet.org. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- ^ a b Wigge, Larry (January 8, 2008). "Ironman Nabokov overcomes adversity to succeed". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database