Evgeni Nabokov - the legendary goalkeeper

Evgeni Nabokov is a Russian goalkeeper, who played most of his career in the NHL. This goalkeeper, of course, had a bright career. He won a lot of victories both in the club championship, and in the international arena.

Beginning of the sports way

Yevgeny Nabokov was born on July 25, 1975 in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. To learn hockey this illustrious goalkeeper became a local hockey school. Already in his childhood coaches saw the great talent of Eugene. He was early connected to the main team "Torpedo". His debut for the local team took place in 1992. There he played two seasons, and then went to conquer the Russian Super League. Evgeni Nabokov became a player of the Moscow "Dynamo". The reason for the departure was that the level of play in Russia is much higher than in his homeland.

Departure overseas

In the draft, which took place in 1994, Eugene in the ninth round chose the club "San Jose Sharks." It is unlikely that this NHL club expected how successful their choice would be. Nevertheless, after leaving in 1997 for the ocean, Yevgeny Nabokov did not become part of the "Shark" of the world's strongest league. The first two seasons in the new country he started in the AHL League for the Kentucky Torobeys club. With his performances, this Russian goalkeeper proved that he is capable of playing for the San Jose Sharks club.

Debut in the NHL

He first appeared on the field in the T-shirt of the famous club on January 1, 2000. Nabokov in the course of the game replaced goalkeeper Stephen Shields. Sixteen days after the debut, Yevgeny Nabokov held his full match. Rival "San Jose Sharks" was a team from Colorado, whose gate was defended at that time by star goalkeeper Patrick Roy. Goalkeepers in this game showed a reliable game. Nabokov did not retreat to his illustrious opponent. The game ended with a score of 0: 0. Nabokov reflected 39 shots. In his first season he played 15 matches. In the following season, Eugene also only occasionally appeared on the field.

Continuation of career

The chance for Nabokov to gain a foothold in the club "San Jose Sharks" appeared in the season 2000-2001. The main goalkeeper, "Shark" was injured and fell out of the team for a long time. The coach entrusted Nabokov with a place in the gate. This season, this goalkeeper was recognized as the best newcomer to the NHL, and he was recognized as the best player of the week. During the season, Nabokov proved that he should be the main goalkeeper of "Shark". This Russian goalkeeper played for the "Shark" ten seasons. During this time, his team only once did not get into the playoffs of the Stanley Cup. Despite the magnificent game of the team and the goalkeeper, for 10 seasons the club from San Jose has never managed to win the Stanley Cup. At the end of the 2009-2010 season, the validity of the contract concluded with Nabokov came to an end. The team could not agree with the goalkeeper on the terms of the new contract, and he decided to return to Russia.

Return to Russia

Nabokov moved to Russia and became a player in the St. Petersburg "SKA". Russian fans were very happy to see Nabokov again in Russia. Eugene signed a contract, after signing which became the highest-paid goalkeeper of the KHL. But in Russia, Yevgeny's career did not work out because of the difficulties that his family experienced. Fans were happy to see such a goalkeeper, like Eugene. Nabokov always takes his photo with his wife and children on a trip. He is very fond of his wife Tabitha, daughter of Emma and Andrei's son. They have never been to Russia before this time. His family could not get settled in St. Petersburg, and Nabokov had to go back to play in the NHL. On his return to the NHL, he played for the "Detroit Red Wings", "New York Islanders" and "Tampa Bay Lightning."

Yevgeny Nabokov, whose photo can often be seen in sports magazines, has achieved fame with his own labor. He went down in the history of world hockey. In 2015, this legendary goalkeeper announced the completion of his successful career at the club "San Jose Sharks", where he spent most of the games.