How are Russian troops doing in the NHL?
In three weeks of the 101st NHL season, the leading players and those who remained “in the wings” have already been clearly identified. But what would be the interest in this if it were not for our new stars, such as Sergachev or already familiar hockey players with Russian surnames, who “rebooted” after a not very successful season? The sports editors of Realnoe Vremya talk about those Russians in the NHL who exceeded all expectations, and about those from whom we expect more.
Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus
Let's start with the last milestone. Moreover, this year we have two names in the “framework” of NHL teams that we can be proud of. “Columbus” has long been known as a team of the eternal middle: you have no great ambitions, no trophies, but they are not such a hopeless outsider. There are few famous players here, but they also come to Ohio. And the most important figure of the last decade for Columbus, without a doubt, is Sergei Bobrovsky. If he’s not in goal or he’s in a temporary slump, it means bad luck for the whole team.
Perhaps the only game in which Sergei did not work out was the last one - against Los Angeles. It just so happened that the Kings had all the pucks flying exactly where they needed them, so Bobrovsky’s statistics in this match were greatly spoiled. But even after this disastrous game for the entire team, Bobrovsky has a rather impressive figure of 2.16 goals per game. And even in the match with the Kings, Bobrovsky created a local miracle that will be remembered more than all the goals he missed. Just look:
Andrey Vasilevsky, Tampa Bay
The second goalkeeper you can be happy for is the goalkeeper of the most Russian NHL team, Andrei Vasilevsky.
Vasilevskiy is currently the youngest starting goaltender on an NHL team. Having forced Bishop out of Tampa, Andrei got all the cards in his hands in order to realize himself at the level of goalkeeper of the league's favorite team. Now 23 years old, he is the most talked about goalie in the entire NHL. Many are still not entirely sure that “Vasya” is stable enough to defend the goal of a Stanley Cup contender.
But seven games out of eight! In so many matches, Vasilevsky emerged victorious along with his partners. The percentage of shots reflected remains at 93.3%. In other words, a gang has gathered in Tampa against which Vasilevsky simply needs to avoid making stupid mistakes, play at a good level and sometimes “pull him up” if the situation is critical, as, for example, here:
Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis
Back in the summer, the Siberian forward announced this season in the NHL as decisive for him. He said that he understood what needed to be added and began to prepare differently. Everyone believed and expected that Tarasenko would become the main Russian goal scorer. Moreover, Ovechkin’s last season did not go well at all.
But there is every reason to think that Tarasenko simply does not have partners of a sufficient level to become the best in the league. Vladimir really lacks strong central strikers who can consistently put him in striking positions. The already aging Paul Stastny in his top three is no longer up to the level. Vladimir Sobotka, who returned to the NHL, does not look like a super passer either.
Nevertheless, our striker is the main star of the bluesmen. He has the lead with 19:43 of ice time, so Mike Yeo appears to be trying to play through a winger without having a strong center.
And yet Tarasenkov’s 5+4 in nine matches is good, but nothing more. This is less than last year, and now Vladimir is not even second after Ovechkin. We'll see how it goes further. The playoffs are still a long way off.
Artemiy Panarin, Columbus
Although “Khlebushek” doesn’t score much yet, he assists a lot and gives out “bomb” interviews in which he refutes his “keystone addiction.” Artemy has 1+8 (he scored assist hat-tricks twice) in his new club, and it’s time for him to score goals himself to prove his theory.
One of Panarin's main problems in Columbus may be the rather dictatorial leadership style of coach John Tortorella. He doesn’t like hockey players who work miracles only in front; he also needs horses who work in defense. It seems that Artemy Panarin is not yet very accustomed to the new conditions. But everything is ahead.
Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov, Tampa Bay
Simply the main star of the entire National Hockey League here and now is Nikita Kucherov, who is tearing apart absolutely everyone. Neither Pittsburgh, which the Floridians smashed to pieces (although who isn’t smashing them now?), hitting the reigning champion with several masterpiece goals, nor the Rangers, nor last year’s finalist Nashville, nor the same “St. Louis” stops him. Vladimir Tarasenko.
Judge for yourself: the Lightning have played 9 matches since the start of the season, Kucherov has already scored 16 (10+6) points and caught up with Ovechkin in the number of goals scored. Now two Russians are leading the race for the top scorer in the Morris Richard Trophy.
This season, the 24-year-old Russian has risen to the status of a contender for the title of best player in the league. What kind of Connor McDavid is there when such a fast and smart Russian guy named Nikita is “frying” in the southern United States?
The second Russian, without whom Tampa would not be where we see it today, is Vladislav Namestnikov, who scored a good 10 (3+7) points. If Kucherov scores more goals, then Namestnikov assists him and Stamkos. Yes, the second of the four Tampa Russians receives much less attention, however, he only earns himself the status of the hidden hero of the team, regularly “wearing a piano.” Although at this moment everything was the other way around.
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
Either criticism of Alexander the Great for his uniform at his own wedding, or his own dissatisfaction with himself, spurred “our everything” to prepare for the season differently. Everyone remembers that last season was the most unsuccessful for Ovechkin. So in the current situation, he had to follow one of two scenarios: either finally relinquish his powers as the best shooter in the NHL and gradually fade into the shadows, and then follow the NHL - KHL - State Duma route, or do something with himself and return onto a familiar track with 50+ goals in the regular season and the fight for the Stanley Cup.
As expected, Alexander chose the second path. In 9 games he has 10 goals, which means that he is still ahead of schedule! Moreover, Ovechkin resumed the tradition of breaking numerous league records. Last week, for example, he scored the winning goal for the 20th time in his career in overtime of the NHL regular season, surpassing the great Jaromir Jagr in this indicator.
Ovechkin scored a huge number of goals in the NHL for a reason. “He throws better than anyone else in the league,” Washington head coach Barry Trotz admired his player’s performance. - If you give Ovechkin enough opportunities, there will definitely be goals.
Nail Yakupov, Colorado
According to the old tradition, Yakupov’s game in the NHL cannot be called unambiguous. Colorado got off to a pretty fast start, winning four out of five matches and almost jumping into the top three. Nail scored three goals and seemed to find chemistry with Kerfoot and Matt Duchene, thoroughly unnerving all opponents on defense. The team breathed in a new way after last year's disgrace, looked fresh and light. And Yakupov himself said that he was happy with everything in the new team. It would seem, what else is needed to finally gain a foothold in the NHL?
However, Yakupov soon returned to his old ways and simply stopped playing. In the lost match with St. Louis, Colorado head coach Jared Bednar put Nail on the bench in the second period and did not let him out again.
“Today we had passengers in our lineup, and Yakupov was one of them,” Bednar said. - When you play against the best team in the division, you can’t act so stupidly. Several mistakes that we had no right to make cost us the game.”
That's all you need to know about Yakupov's career overseas. There is still time for correction, but with each new season it becomes less and less.
Alexander Burmistrov, Vancouver
The Kazan hockey player is not doing any better in the NHL. According to statistics, everything is sad (1+3), and Alexander earned his first assist points only last week, and his only goal was scored against the not so bright Ottawa. In the same game, “Burmie” also earned an assist point for his pass to Brock Boeser, receiving the title of third star of the match.
But for a player who has such a chance “thanks” to the injuries of forwards Erickson and Sutter, Alexander would need to be much more active in order to get a stable place at least in the third line. After all, with the kind of play he’s showing today, the returning leaders can put him on the bench for a long time or send him to the AHL.
Alexander Radulov, Dallas
Alexander Radulov also looks unimportant in his new team “Dallas Stars”. His start in Texas turned out to be much worse than last year's in Montreal. Only on October 18 did Radulov score his first and currently only goal for Dallas. His statistics - 4 (1+3) points - will upset even his most ardent fans.
Alexander does not do without productive mistakes. For example, in a recent game against Nashville (1:4), his loss resulted in a third missed goal, and the striker himself ended up earning -2 utility. Receiving the most ice time among forwards, he attempted just one shot. This is clearly not what is expected from a player who is given an average of 19 minutes of playing time.
The only mitigating detail that can be called is the fact that the entire “Stars” team was moping for a long time. Only in the last four games did the Texans manage to turn the tide. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Alex finds himself in the green team.
Eric Dobrolyubov
Ice hockey is an ancient and famous game. According to some sources, even Dutch paintings from the 16th century depict the game of hockey. However, there are several other versions about the time and place of origin of this sports game. It is believed that ice hockey first appeared in Montreal, Canada. However, some studies claim that ice hockey originated in Kingston, Ontario or Windsor, Nova Scotia. In ice hockey, as in many sports games where the goal is to score a goal, the goalkeeper plays an important role. It is about hockey goalies that you will learn from this top 10 best hockey goalkeepers of all time.
10 Kenneth Wayne "Ken" Dryden
This athlete was born on August 8, 1947. Thanks to his game, this hockey player received the Stanley Cup award six times. In addition to these six awards, Kenneth Wayne "Ken" Dryden has many others. He was also named the best goalkeeper of the NHL (National Hockey League) five times. In 1983, an image of Kenneth Wayne "Ken" Dryden appeared in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
9 Terrence (Terry) Gordon Savchuk
This person is an example of the fact that no difficulties should push you away from your favorite activity, from your life’s work. Terrence (Terry) Gordon Sawchuk was born December 28, 1929, and died May 31, 1970, having lived for 40 years. The athlete is known for his 103 “dry” matches - that is, matches where he did not concede a single goal. This will look even more surprising considering that the hockey player was sick. The goalkeeper had a back problem, due to which the athlete could hardly straighten up. Because of this, Terrence (Terry) Gordon Savchuk played with a special stance. Those around him thought for a long time that he had invented a new stance, until he himself told about the true reason. The hockey goaltender was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971.
8 Jacques Plante
Pro. Hockey goalie Terry Sawchuk wearing fake scars & wounds applied by make-up artist to simulate injuries accumulated in 16 yrs. of professional hockey.
This hockey player was born on January 17, 1929, and died on February 27, 1986, having lived 57 years. During his sports career, the goalkeeper received the Stanley Cup award six times and also won many other awards. Jacques Plante is the first goalkeeper to constantly wear a goalie mask during the game. The goalkeeper often left the goal area to help his team's defenders. Jacques Plante was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.
7 Dominik Hasek
This hockey goalkeeper was born on January 29, 1965. During his sports career, he “collected” a huge number of various awards, including the famous “Stanley Cup”. Together with his country's national team, Dominik Hasek won gold and bronze at the Olympic Games. In 2014, this hockey player was included in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Dominik Hasek has an unusual playing style. He plays not standing up, but... lying down. The athlete has good flexibility, thanks to which he protects the goal even from very difficult shots. The hockey player practically does not use a stick, preferring to “deal” with the puck with the help of a released glove or a trap.
6 Patrick Roy
This athlete was born on October 5, 1965. Patrick Roy has the unique achievement of winning the Conn Smythe Trophy for the best player in the Stanley Cup in three different decades. In 2006, the hockey player was included in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
5 Joseph Georges Gonzaga Vezina
This goalkeeper was born on January 21, 1887, and died on March 27, 1926 at the age of 39. The average goalkeeper-hockey player allowed 3.49 goals per match. The NHL's Vezina Trophy goalkeeper cup was named after the athlete. The hockey player was included in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945.
Today, January 13, is the 41st anniversary of the famous Russian hockey player Nikolai Khabibulin. the site recalls the best Russian goalkeepers who played in the NHL.
NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN
After playing for three years in CSKA, Khabibulin decided to leave for the NHL. In 1992, he was drafted 204 overall by Winnipeg, where he played for a total of two seasons. Khabibulin became, in fact, the first goalkeeper in the NHL who was able to become number one on his team. Trefilov and Shtalenkov, who played in parallel with Nikolai, did not achieve significant success in the best league in the world.
In less than 20 years in the NHL, Nikolai changed five teams. Khabibulin's track record includes Phoenix (1996 - 1999), Tampa Bay (2001 - 2004), Chicago (2005 - 2009, 2013 - present), Edmonton (2009 - 2013). In total, Khabibulin played about 800 matches in the NHL. The goalkeeper's highest achievement was the Stanley Cup in 2004 with Tampa Bay, where Nikolai was the main goalkeeper. The trophy he won became the first Stanley Cup for a Russian goalkeeper.
In 2002, Khabibulin was the main goalkeeper of the Russian team at the Olympics in Salt Lake City and was recognized as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Russia then won the bronze medal.
For his reliable play, he received the nickname “Bulin Wall” from the Americans.
SEMYON VARLAMOV
Varlamov was drafted by Washington in 2006, but his NHL debut took place only a couple of years later in a match against Montreal. Washington won (2:1), and Varlamov, who stopped 32 shots, was recognized as the first star of the match. Despite the successful play in his first matches overseas, Varlamov was not involved in games for Washington for quite a long time, continuing to play in the Hershey farm club. Only in February 2009, the Russian was again called up to Washington, where he took the place of Jose Theodore's replacement, Brent Johnson, who suffered a hip injury.
Varlamov was a reserve goalie for a long time, playing only six games until the end of the season, and also had an excellent end to the season in Hershey, where he showed a 19-7-1 record in 27 games. During the first round of the 2008/2009 NHL playoffs against the New York Rangers, Varlamov became the main goalkeeper after Jose Theodore allowed 4 goals in the first game of the series, lost 3:4 to Washington.
On July 1, 2011, Varlamov was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. The next day, the club signed a three-year contract with them worth $8.5 million. In the new team, Semyon received the first number.
Varlamov started the 2013-2014 season brilliantly and more than once received compliments of the highest dignity from the head coach of Colorado, the great former goalkeeper Patrick Roy: “Varley deserves a lot of kind words for what is happening now both with the team and with himself. And this has been the case since the first day when our goalkeeper coach Francois Allaire met him in Switzerland. They worked well together - and, what is very important, Varlamov listens extremely carefully to everything that Francois teaches him. He is perfect!".
Varlamov himself has repeatedly stated that he had the great honor of working with such legends and professionals in his field as Rua and Aller.
Varlamov is considered the main contender to become number one of the Russian team at the Olympics in Sochi.
ILYA BRYZGALOV
At the 2000 NHL draft, Ilya was selected in the second round with the 44th overall pick by Anaheim. In America, Bryzgalov could not immediately play and for four seasons, including the lockout, he played in a farm club from Cincinnati. In the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons, the goalkeeper played 31 and 27 games in Anaheim, respectively, but always remained second behind Giguere. However, in 2007, Bryzgalov won the Stanley Cup championship ring.
In November, Bryzgalov was put up for the waiver draft and moved to Phoenix, where he was the main goalkeeper for four years and made the team to the playoffs twice after an eight-year break.
In the 2009/2010 season, Ilya was nominated for the Vezina Trophy, the prize for the best goalkeeper according to general managers of NHL clubs, but Buffalo Sabers goalkeeper Ryan Miller was chosen as the best.
In 2011, a month before the expiration of his contract, Bryzgalov was traded by Phoenix to Philadelphia. In exchange, the Flyers traded forward Matt Clarkson and two 2012 draft picks. Signed a contract with Philadelphia for a period of years and an amount of 51.5 million dollars. Bryzgalov's further career did not work out. Ilya spent an unsuccessful season in Philadelphia, missing a lot and periodically losing his place in the starting lineup.
On June 26, Bryzgalov’s contract was bought out and he became an unrestricted free agent. On November 8, 2013, the player signed a contract with the Edmonton Oilers club. In December, he began to get in shape and play matches for the main team of the Oilers, but was injured and dropped out of action. At the beginning of January, he presented to the public his new mask, which was dedicated to the Olympics in Sochi.
Bryzgalov is the owner of the second longest dry streak in Stanley Cup history - 249 minutes 15 seconds. In addition, Ilya holds the Phoenix (Winnipeg) club record: 42 victories in the 2009/10 championship.
EVGENY NABOKOV
In 1999, Nabokov moved to the NHL, where he played for the San Jose Sharks for more than ten years. At first, Nabokov was considered the second and even third goalkeeper. However, in 2000, the Sharks' main goalkeeper Steve Shields was injured and Nabokov had a chance, which he took full advantage of - becoming the Sharks' number one for the next nine years.
During this time, San Jose only once failed to reach the playoffs or only once failed to overcome the first round. In the 2000-2001 season, Nabokov received the NHL Best Rookie Award.
Nabokov is currently the best Russian goalie in the NHL in terms of wins (335) and shutouts (55). Moreover, according to these indicators, he is among the 20 best goalies in the history of the NHL.
On January 21, 2011, Evgeniy signed a contract with the Detroit Red Wings until the end of the season and, in accordance with NHL regulations, was put up for the waiver draft, from where the goalkeeper was taken by the New York Islanders, but Evgeniy refused to play for the Islanders. In turn, the Islanders management blocked Nabokov's contract and in order to continue playing in the NHL he had to work out this contract. Evgeniy started the 2011/12 season as a member of the Islanders, and as the season progressed, he extended his contract with the team for another year, becoming a part of the team as the main goalkeeper. In July 2013, the New York Islanders again extended Nabokov's contract for a year.
Until the last moment, Nabokov was considered a candidate for a trip to the Games in Sochi as part of the Russian national team, but he was injured and automatically dropped out of the list of candidates.
During the ten years that Nabokov played for San Jose, the club was never able to win the main trophy, the Stanley Cup, and Evgeni himself gained a reputation as a strong but non-Cup goalkeeper.
SERGEY BOBROVSKY
It may seem that including Bobrovsky on this list is an advance. However, it took Sergei only three incomplete seasons overseas to receive the prize for the best goalkeeper in the NHL - the Vezina Trophy, which the Russians had not previously won.
Bobrovsky moved to the NHL from Metallurg Novokuznetsk and spent two seasons in Philadelphia. In 2010, he signed a three-year contract with the Flyers, but the big-money purchase of Ilya Bryzgalov in 2011 sent Bobrovsky to Columbus, where Sergei received a prestigious award, simultaneously setting a club record streak of matches with points (undefeated). during regular time).
Bobrovsky was included in the list of hockey players who will go to the Olympics in Sochi and will probably compete for the right to be number one on the team with Semyon Varlamov.
This week, the greatest goalkeeper in the history of Russian hockey, Vladislav Tretyak, turned 65 years old. Taking this opportunity, “SE” decided to remember other strongest players in this role in our country. In the first part of our rating we will introduce you to the best goalkeepers of the Soviet era.
15. Vladimir SHEPOVALOV (1948)
Clubs: Metallurg Nk (1965-68), SKA Lg (1968-76)
USSR Championship: bronze (1971)
World Cup: silver (1972)
In the mid-60s, SKA, under the leadership of Nikolai Puchkov, was known as a strong team and once even got close to the podium of the USSR championship. However, the army team was not allowed to climb it by the unreliable play of the defense and goalkeepers, who made mistakes even in meetings with outsiders. The appearance of Shepovalov in goal solved the problem - SKA again soared to 4th place, from which it had managed to slide by that time, the next season it reached bronze and for several more years, until it went into disarray due to low everyday discipline, it fought for high places. The expression “the goalkeeper is half the team” is completely unsuitable in this case: in many matches Shepovalov cost the entire team.
14. Victor DOROSCHENKO (1953)
Clubs: Siberia (1970-77), Spartak (1977-88)
USSR Championship: silver (1981-84), bronze (1979-80, 1986)
There were quite a few goalkeepers with extensive experience playing in the highest Union League, but only a limited number of games for the USSR national team. Among them were national champions, even multiple champions - Krivolapov, Tolmachev, Tolstikov, Tyzhnykh, and simply excellent, reliable goalkeepers - Vasilenok, L. Gerasimov, Shundrov. Doroschenko is here both as a collective image that unites all the wonderful gatekeepers of the “second row”, and in himself – as the hope and support of “Spartak” for ten seasons, in most of which the red and white won medals at the USSR Championship.
Recommended viewing:
Review of matches of the 1987/88 USSR Championship
13. Hariy MELLUPS (1927)
Clubs: Dynamo R (1946-49), VVS (1949-50)
The best goalkeeper of the USSR at the dawn of Soviet hockey, the hero of his first international meetings - the Moscow team against the LTC, in fact, the Czechoslovakian team. There is no doubt that our squad’s victorious debut at the World Championships in 1954 would not have been possible without Melloups, and in the leading role. But on January 7, 1950, he, an Air Force hockey player, found himself in an ill-fated airplane that crashed in the sky over Sverdlovsk. He was replaced by Puchkov and Mkrtychan on the team, who became world champions four years later, and Olympic champions two years later.
12. Boris ZAITSEV (1937)
Club: Dynamo M (1957-70)
USSR Championship: silver (1959, 1960, 1962-64), bronze (1958, 1966-69)
World Cup: gold (1963-64)
OG: Gold (1964)
The participation of the Dynamo player in the 63 World Cup and the 64 Olympics, which marked the beginning of the hegemony of Soviet hockey, was symbolic, but just getting into this team through serious competition is an indicator of high class. This is confirmed by many years of performances for one of the strongest teams in the country, which year after year became the winner of the Union Championship.
11. Alexander PASHKOV (1944)
Clubs: Lokomotiv M (1962-63), Krylia Sovetov (1963-1967, 1980-82), CSKA (1967-69), Dynamo M (1969-74), Khimik (1974-80)
USSR Championship: gold (1968), silver (1971-72), bronze (1974)
World Cup: gold (1978)
OG: Gold (1972)
He replaced Zaitsev in the Dynamo goal and also made it to the Olympic gold team. And at the age of 34, in 1978, with a reliable performance for the modest Khimik, he earned the right to compete in the World Championship - the same one where the Soviet team regained the title it had lost two years earlier. By the way, Pashkov did not receive the USSR champion medal for company: in the 1967/68 season it was he who was the main goalkeeper of CSKA. Also, by the way, evidence of high skill.
10. Grigory MKRTYCHAN (1925)
Clubs: CDKA/CSK MO (1947-50, 1953-58), VVS (1950-53)
USSR Championship: gold (1948-53, 1955-56, 1958), silver (1954, 1957)
World Cup: gold (1954, 1956), silver (1955)
OG: Gold (1956)
Colleague, comrade, partner, and only last but not least, Nikolai Puchkov’s competitor in the gates of the Air Force, CDSA and the USSR national team. Nikolai was considered the main goalkeeper, but Grigory was always ready to join the game and never let us down. At the 54 World Cup he played in three out of seven matches, including the debut against the Finns and a very difficult one against the Czechoslovakians.
Recommended viewing:
Canada - USSR, World Cup 1955
9. Arthur IRBE (1967)
Clubs: Dynamo R (1986-91), San Jose (1991-96), Dallas (1996-97), Vancouver (1997-98), Carolina (1998-2004)
USSR Championship: (1988)
World Cup: gold (1989-90)
With a fresh wind he burst into Soviet hockey in the second half of the 80s, with an amazing game at the second stage and in the playoffs of the USSR-87/88 championship, he ousted the excellent goalkeeper Samoilov from the gates, immediately made his way into the USSR national team and performed brilliantly at the 90 World Cup, where in the dispute for the prize of the best goalkeeper, he surpassed Hasek himself.
Recommended viewing:
USSR - Sweden, World Cup 1990
8. Evgeny BELOSHEYKIN (1966)
Clubs: SKA Lg (1983-84, 1989-91), CSKA (1984-89)
USSR Championship: gold (1985-87)
World Cup: gold (1986), silver (1987)
OG: Gold (1988)
Canada Cup: Final (1987)
Another goalkeeper of a tragic fate - but in this case, it was not she who played a cruel joke, but the hockey player on her. It was Belosheykin, and not Myshkin and not Tyzhnykh, who became, in fact, “Tretyak’s heir” in goal for CSKA and the national team. His brilliant play was admired by the guests of the capital at the 1986 World Cup, and by all of Canada and the United States mixed at the Calgary Cup. But he was unsuccessful in the Canada Cup in the fall of 1987, and then an injury occurred, due to which Evgeniy had to sit on the bench for the entire ’88 Olympics. And something in him broke from that moment. Soon he was done with hockey—or, well, hockey was done with him. And he could become a legend of world hockey...
Recommended viewing:
USSR - Canada, World Cup 1987
7. Alexander SIDELNIKOV (1950)
Club: Krylia Sovetov (1967-84)
USSR Championship: gold (1974), silver (1975), bronze (1973, 1978)
World Cup: gold (1973-74), silver (1976), bronze (1977)
OG: Gold (1976)
In the USSR championships of the first half of the 70s, Sidelnikov was distinguished by his incredible impenetrability, which elevated him to the rank of Tretyak’s only and unconditional backup in the national team for several years, and helped Krylia Sovetov sensationally soar to the top of the podium. Over time, however, his game faded somewhat, and he could not forget the unsuccessful match with the Poles at the World Cup in 1976, although Sidelnikov was clearly no more to blame for that blatant fiasco than the field players. But he left a bright mark on hockey and firmly secured his place among the legends.
Recommended viewing:
USSR - Poland, World Cup 1976
6. Victor SINGER (1941)
Clubs: Spartak (1964-77)
USSR Championship: gold (1967, 1969, 1976), silver (1965-66, 1968, 1970, 1973)
World Cup: gold (1965-69)
OG: Gold (1968)
Canada Cup: 3rd place
Three allied championship titles in competition with the indestructible CSKA - this fact alone is enough to forever enter the ranks of the greats. In addition, the famous goalkeeper of Spartak supported and replaced Viktor Konovalenko in the goal of the USSR national team for five years in a row - and all five tournaments ended in our triumphs. And Singer, having already prepared to retire, at the age of 34 also won the competition in the club gates against the young Krivolapov - just in the last “golden” season of the red and white.
Recommended viewing:
USSR - Germany, Olympics-68
5. Sergei MYLNIKOV (1958)
Clubs: Traktor (1976-80, 1982-89, 1990-91), SKA Lg (1980-82), Quebec (1989-90), Torpedo Yar (1991-93)
USSR Championship: bronze (1977)
World Cup: gold (1986, 1989-90), silver (1987), bronze (1985)
OG: Gold (1988)
Canada Cup: Final (1987)
When Tretyak retired, there were several candidates for “post No. 1”, and Mylnikov not only did not stand out among them, but, perhaps, was not seriously considered. And then Tyzhnykh played unsuccessfully, followed by Myshkin, Belosheykin flared up and went out - and it turned out that there was no stronger and more reliable goalkeeper in the Chelyabinsk Union. It was he who bore the main burden on his shoulders at the 1987 Canada Cup, and at the Olympics in Calgary and a year later at the World Championships he defended the team’s goal almost continuously. And infallible.
Recommended viewing:
USSR - Canada, Olympics-88
4. Nikolai PUCHKOV (1930)
Clubs: VVS (1950-1953), CSK MO/CSKA (1953-62), SKA LG (1963-64)
USSR Championship: gold (1951-53, 1955-56, 1958-61), silver (1954-57), bronze (1962)
World Cup: gold (1954, 1956), silver (1955, 1957-59), bronze (1960)
Olympic Games: gold (1956), bronze (1960)
"Goalkeeper of the Republic" of the first generation. He personally participated in the defeat of Canada at the 1954 World Championships, and in the Olympic tournament two years later he played both decisive matches to zero - just like Tretyak 28 years later in Sarajevo. It is characteristic that after Puchkov, Anatoly Tarasov could not find a goalkeeper of the same level for CSKA for a long time - and only eight years later he found a schoolboy named Vladislav in the club youth sports school. The first who matched Puchkov’s scale and over time surpassed him in skill.
Recommended viewing:
USSR - USA, Olympics-56
3. Vladimir MYSHKIN (1955)
Clubs: Krylia Sovetov (1972-75, 1977-1980), Crystal (1975-77), Dynamo M (1980-90), Lukko (1990-91)
USSR Championship: gold (1974, 1990), silver (1975, 1980, 1985-87), bronze (1973, 1978, 1981-83, 1988)
World Cup: gold (1979, 1981-83, 1989-90), bronze (1985, 1991)
Olympic Games: silver (1980), gold (1984)
Canada Cup: victory (1981), final (1987)
Even if Myshkin had never taken to the ice again after February 11, 1979, he would still be on this list now. Just as there are “writers of the same book”, “composers of the same song”, so there is also a “goalkeeper of the same match” - the one at the end of which the Canadians for the first time openly admitted that the USSR national team and Soviet hockey in general are stronger than theirs, NHL’s. Let us explain for young people: the third game of the Challenge Cup, USSR - NHL - 6:0. That day, Myshkin played for the national team for the second time in his life. Yes, for life. However, over the next decade he played a lot of great matches. It’s just that the one from the early ones remains in people’s memory.
Recommended viewing:
USSR – NHL, Challenge Cup-79
2. Victor KONOVALENKO (1938)
Club: Torpedo (Gorky) (1956-72)
USSR Championship: silver (1961)
World Cup: gold (1963-68, 1970-71), bronze (1961)
OG: gold (1964, 1968)
Who knows, if the Gorky player had a chance to play against overseas professionals, it is possible that the Canadians would recognize him as the best goalkeeper in the history of world hockey. Fans, at least, admired Konovalenko’s game - but in the Soviet Union there was no better goalkeeper during the “golden” 60s. And in the early 70s, too, and Tretyak, who was not yet great at that time, had to spend two whole world championships behind the broad back of the Volga hero.
1. Vladislav TRETYAK (1952)
Clubs: CSKA (1969-84)
USSR Championship: gold (1970-73, 1975, 1977-84), silver (1974, 1976)
World Cup: gold (1970-71, 1973-75, 1978-83), silver (1972, 1976), bronze (1977)
Olympic Games: gold (1972, 1976, 1984), silver (1980)
Canada Cup: win (1981), 3rd place (1976)
The best hockey player of the 20th century according to the IIHF
And yet Tretyak’s primacy is undeniable. So many victories, regalia and glory have never fallen to the lot of a single Soviet goalkeeper, let alone a Russian one. So many games of the highest intensity, conducted at the highest level, in the radiant brilliance of skill, are not in any track record except Tretyak’s. He was applauded, it seems, in all the hockey palaces of the world, and there is not a single great striker in the world whom Tretiak did not at least once make feel like a loser and incompetent. How lucky are those hockey fans who were lucky enough to live and support in Tretiak’s era!
Recommended viewing:
CSKA – Montreal, Super Series 76
USSR - Canada, Canada Cup-81
Read the second part of our rating, dedicated to the best goalkeepers of the post-Soviet era, on the SE website soon.
Evgeniy Nabokov
After the collapse of the USSR, a number of famous Russian goalkeepers tried to play in the National Hockey League. however, only a few have managed to truly prove themselves since then. Of course, this number includes Evgeniy Nabokov, who officially ended his brilliant career only the day before.
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Nabokov moved to the NHL in 1999, after several years spent in his native Kazakhstan, Dynamo Moscow and the AHL. At first, Evgeniy was considered the second and even third goalkeeper of the San Jose Sharks. But in 2000, the main goalkeeper of the Sharks, Steve Shields, was injured and the Russian had a chance, which he took full advantage of - becoming the unshakable leader of the team for the next nine years. During this time, San Jose only once failed to reach the playoffs and only once failed to overcome the first round. In the 2000/2001 season, Nabokov received the NHL Best Newcomer award.
After the Sharks, he played for three years with the New York Islanders, and ended his career after an unsuccessful transfer to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Note that Nabokov is currently the best Russian goalie in the NHL in terms of wins (335) and number of shutouts (55). Moreover, according to these indicators, he is among the 20 best goalkeepers in the history of the NHL.
Note that due to various circumstances, Nabokov played only 19 matches for the Russian national team. Evgeniy did not often respond to offers to come to his homeland, preferring to be overseas. However, in 2008, he became one of the main creators of Russia's victory at the World Championships in Canada.
Nikolay Khabibulin
Nikolai Khabibullin is something of a pioneer in the NHL. He is the first Russian goalkeeper who managed to become the main goalkeeper in his team. In the NHL, he played 799 games and won 333 times. Nikolai's track record includes performances for the following clubs: Winnipeg, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Edmonton.
It’s interesting that already in the debut season of his first overseas club, the Winnipeg Jets, Khabibulin received an interesting nickname. For his confident play on the team's last line, the talented Russian was nicknamed "Bulin Wall" by analogy with the famous Berlin Wall. The club's PR people even drew a separate logo for Nikolai, which quickly gained popularity among fans.
As for the romance with the Russian national team, Khabibulin also had some problems. You can at least remember that Nikolai received his gold medal for victory at the 1992 Olympic Games only ten years later. In total, he wore the national team jersey on 14 occasions.
Ilya Bryzgalov
34-year-old Ilya Bryzgalov began his NHL career in 2002, during which he played for the Anaheim Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Minnesota Wild. He currently plays for Anaheim, with whom he achieved the greatest success in his career, winning the Stanley Cup back in 2007.
Interestingly, in 2011, Bryzgalov signed a contract worth $51 million for a period of nine years with Philadelphia. However, two years later, club general manager Paul Holmgren called the contract a costly mistake. The Flyers, having bought out Bryzgalov’s contract in the winter of 2013, are forced to pay him $1.6 million every year until the end of the 2027 season, regardless of whether the goalkeeper continues to play or not.
As for the Russian national team, he played for it much more often than his more experienced colleagues. Together with the national team, he won bronze medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and gold at the 2009 World Championships in Switzerland.
Sergei Bobrovsky
Sergei Bobrovsky moved to the NHL in 2010 at the age of 22. At first, he signed a three-year contract with the Flyers, but the purchase of Bryzgalov in 2011 sent Bobrovsky to Columbus, where he had his finest hour.
Far from being in the most star-studded and richest club, the Russian managed to truly declare himself. At the end of the 2012/13 season, Bobrovsky received the Vezina Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the NHL. Thus, he became the first goalkeeper from the territory of the former USSR and the sixth European to receive the main goalkeeper prize of the North American League. For his efforts, Sergei was rewarded by Columbus with a four-year contract totaling $30 million.
26-year-old Bobrovsky also has success in the Russian national team. Last year, he and the national team became world champions. However, a few months earlier at the Olympics in Sochi, he looked as insecure as our entire team.
Semyon Varlamov
Another young Russian, Semyon Varlamov, left for the United States back in 2008, becoming a teammate of Alexander Ovechkin. However, he never managed to become number one in Washington. On July 1, 2011, Varlamov was traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
As part of the Avalanche, he quickly won the trust of the coaching staff, repeatedly achieving victories on his own. According to experts, Varlamov should have received some kind of prize at the end of the 2013/14 season, but he was hit by a major scandal when he was accused of beating his girlfriend.
The incident occurred on October 29, the victim was model Evgenia Vavrinyuk, with whom Varlamov was dating at that moment. According to Denver police, an arrest warrant was issued for charges of "second-degree kidnapping, Class 4, and third-degree assault, Class 1." Soon after the trial, Varlamov was released on bail of five thousand dollars and was allowed to move freely. However, after proceedings on December 20, 2013, the Denver court dropped all charges against Varlamov at the initiative of the prosecutor’s office.
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