Igor Shesterkin received the accolade for the league’s finest goaltender on the NHL Awards
Russia’s Igor Shesterkin collected the Vezina Trophy for the league’s finest goalie on the NHL Awards on Tuesday night time, with the star acknowledged for his exceptional performances with the New York Rangers.
Shesterkin, 26, was extensively seen as a certainty for the accolade given his stellar type because the Rangers launched into a primary Stanley Cup Playoffs run since 2017, finally falling within the Jap Convention Last in opposition to two-time defending champion the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In profitable the Vezina Trophy, which is voted for by NHL basic managers, Shesterkin pipped fellow award finalists Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames and Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators.
The Russian was seen as head and shoulders above his rivals, incomes 29 of 32 first-place votes from the panel after ending the season with a league-leading common of two.07 goals-against and a .935 save share (minimal 20 video games).
Shesterkin was additionally third in shutouts (six), sixth in wins, and had a save share of no less than .940 in 26 begins, in line with the NHL web site.
His save share was the third highest of all time in a single season amongst goalies to play no less than 50 video games.
Shesterkin, who was additionally named on the 2022 NHL First All-Star group, follows compatriot Andrei Vasilevskiy because the second Russian goalie to win the Vezina Trophy within the final 4 years, with Tampa Bay Lightning star Vasilevskiy selecting up the accolade in 2019.
Earlier than that, Russia’s Sergei Bobrovsky picked up the title twice within the area of 5 years.
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Legendary Soviet stopper and present Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak was stuffed with reward, saying Shesterkin was persevering with a powerful custom.
“I wish to congratulate Shesterkin on an incredible occasion in his life,” Tretiak informed Championat.
“Igor continues the mark of Russian goalkeeping artwork. We’ve good guys. Vasilevsky obtained the perfect participant within the playoffs final yr, and beforehand received the Vezina.”
“It is extremely tough to win the Vezina Trophy, however it’s much more tough to obtain an award for the second time. Due to this fact, [I wish] the steadiness of Shesterkin and success within the subsequent season. And congratulations.”
Shesterkin was drafted to the Rangers in 2014, happening to exchange his hero Henrik Lundqvist because the group’s primary goaltender for the 2020-21 season.
He obtained a congratulatory video for his achievement from his present Rangers teammates on Tuesday night time.
“You’re the spine of our group and I’m certain this received’t be your final Vezina,” stated defenseman Adam Fox.
The Rangers’ Russian winger Artemi Panarin stated: “Congrats buddy. Maintain it going. You deserve it,” earlier than including light-heartedly: “Thanks for my blocked pictures too, proper?”
In a message of his personal, Shesterkin stated: “I’m so excited. It’s an incredible night time for me and I hope it’s an incredible night time for New York. Thanks a lot, Rangers followers. I really like you a lot. See you quickly.”
Whereas he was topped the NHL’s finest goalie, Shesterkin did miss out on the Hart Trophy for the league’s MVP, which went to Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In the meantime, Russian curiosity within the NHL continues with Sport four of the Stanley Cup Last on Wednesday night time, because the Colorado Avalanche tackle the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightening are aiming to degree the sequence at 2-2 after their victory in Florida earlier this week, and boast Russian trio Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov and Mikhail Sergachev of their ranks.
The Avs have in-form Russian winger Valeri Nichushkin on their roster.
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