Sergei Bobrovsky

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sergei Bobrovsky
Sergei Bobrovsky 2014-12-13.JPG
Bobrovsky with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014
Born (1988-09-20) 20 September 1988 (age 33)
Novokuznetsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 182 lb (83 kg; 13 st 0 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Florida Panthers
Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Philadelphia Flyers
SKA Saint Petersburg
Columbus Blue Jackets
National team  Russia
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2006–present

Sergei Andreyevich Bobrovsky (Russian: Серге́й Андреевич "Боб" Бобровский; born 20 September 1988) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets, with whom he became recognized as one of the NHL's top goaltenders. Nicknamed "Bob", Bobrovsky is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, winning in the 2012–13 and 2016–17 seasons while a member of the Blue Jackets.

Playing career[]

Philadelphia Flyers (2010–2012)[]

Bobrovsky with the Philadelphia Flyers in October 2010. The Flyers signed Bobrovsky to a three-year, entry-level contract earlier that year.

Bobrovsky was never drafted into the NHL. Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren has said that the Flyers considered drafting him during the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, but ultimately decided not to given the difficulty of signing Russian players at the time.[1] After playing his first four professional seasons with Metallurg Novokuznetsk in Russia, Bobrovsky signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flyers on 6 May 2010.[2] He was initially slated to begin his North American career with the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Adirondack Phantoms,[3] but after impressing coaches during training camp, Bobrovsky replaced the injured starter Michael Leighton on the roster.[4] After Leighton recovered, Bobrovsky continued to share goaltending duties with Brian Boucher.

Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette named Bobrovsky the starting goaltender for the opening game of the 2010–11 season against the Pittsburgh Penguins on 7 October 2010.[4] In his NHL debut, Bobrovsky picked up a 3–2 win and was named the game's first star in the first regular season game at Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center.[5] At 22 years and 17 days, he became the youngest goaltender to win a season-opening game for the Flyers, eclipsing Ron Hextall, who started at 22 years and 159 days on 9 October 1986.[5] Bobrovsky was also the first Flyers rookie goaltender to win his NHL debut since Antero Niittymäki did so in 2004.[6] Bobrovsky enjoyed a successful rookie season, posting a 28–13–8 record along with a .915 save percentage. However, after a disappointing showing during the playoffs in which he was often benched in favour of backup Brian Boucher, the Flyers signed Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine-year contract to be their new starting goaltender.

Columbus Blue Jackets (2012–2019)[]

After a season backing-up Bryzgalov, on 22 June 2012, Bobrovsky was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Columbus' second-round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (used to select Anthony Stolarz), a fourth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (used to select Taylor Leier) and the Phoenix Coyotes' fourth-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft (used to select Justin Auger).[7][8]

Bobrovsky signed with SKA Saint Petersburg for the duration of the 2012–13 NHL lockout.

As a result of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Bobrovsky signed a contract with SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), but returned to the Blue Jackets when the lockout finished. After splitting time early in the season, Bobrovsky supplanted Steve Mason as Columbus' starting goaltender; it was Bobrovsky's first time as a starter since his rookie season in Philadelphia. Bobrovsky was instrumental in the Blue Jackets' push for a playoff spot, which ultimately came up just short as the team finished in ninth place in the Western Conference. Despite this, Bobrovsky had 21 wins, and career bests of a 2.00 goals against average (GAA) and a .932 save percentage. With this performance, he was awarded the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league's top goaltender during the regular season.[9]

On 1 July 2013, Bobrovsky signed a two-year, $11.25 million contract extension with the Blue Jackets.[10] On 3 July 2013, he was named to the NHL First All-Star Team.

Bobrovsky with the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2013–14 season. He signed a two-year contract with the Blue Jackets the previous off-season.

On 3 December 2013, Bobrovsky was injured in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and would be out for four-to-five weeks. He returned to action on 6 January 2014, against the New York Rangers, earning a shootout victory by the score of 4–3. Bobrovsky also made a robbing glove save in the shootout on former Blue Jackets forward star Rick Nash, which was considered to be the game-saving save.

Bobrovsky backstopped the Blue Jackets in the 2014 playoffs, where they played the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals. On 19 April 2014, the Blue Jackets won their first playoff game in franchise history in Game 2 of the series, 4–3, followed by their second-ever playoff victory, in Game 4. Bobrovsky played well in Game 5, saving 48 of 50 shots for a 0.960 save percentage, although the Blue Jackets lost the game 3–1. The Blue Jackets were ultimately eliminated in Game 6 on 28 April, losing 4–3.

During the 2016–17 season, Bobrovsky posted a record of 41–17–5, good enough for second in the league while also setting a Blue Jackets franchise record for wins in a season by a goaltender. He also posted a 2.06 GAA, .931 save percentage (both of which led the league among qualifying goaltenders) and recorded seven shutouts (third in the league). He, along with the Washington Capitals' Braden Holtby, were the only goaltenders in the league to be in the top-five in each goaltender statistic category. For his efforts, Bobrovsky was rewarded with his second Vezina Trophy. However, Bobrovsky's regular season success did not carry over to the 2017 playoffs—in a 4–1 series loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Bobrovsky won only one game, posting a 3.88 GAA and .882 save percentage.

A 37–22–6 record during the 2017–18 season was once again good enough to propel the Blue Jackets to a playoff spot. They faced the Washington Capitals in the first round, falling in six games.[11] Bobrovsky posted a 3.18 goals-against-average during the playoffs.

The Blue Jackets qualified for the postseason the next year behind Bobrovsky's 37 wins. The Blue Jackets upset the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning, sweeping them in four games. The win marked the first series win in franchise history.[12] They faced the Boston Bruins in the second round, falling in six games.[13] Bobrovsky posted a 2.41 goals against average and .925 save percentage during the playoffs.

Florida Panthers (2019–present)[]

On 1 July 2019, Bobrovsky signed a seven-year, $70 million contract with the Florida Panthers.[14] On 10 February 2020, Bobrovsky played his 500th NHL game as the Panthers lost 4–1 to the Philadelphia Flyers.[15] He struggled through a down year, posting a record of 23–16–9 through 50 games in the 2019–20 regular season before the COVID-19 shutdown. His 3.23 GAA and .900 save percentage were both his worst since 2011–12, his last year before joining the Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky started all four games of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs Qualifying Round against the New York Islanders, allowing 12 goals as the Panthers dropped the series to the Islanders 3–1.

International play[]

Sergei Bobrovsky 2016.JPG
Bobrovsky with the Russia national men's ice hockey team during the 2016 IIHF World Championship
Medal record
Representing Russia Russia
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2014 Belarus
Silver medal – second place 2015 Czech Republic
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Russia
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Czech Republic

Bobrovsky participated in the 2007 Super Series, an eight-game series between Canadian and Russian juniors commemorating the 35th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series, and garnered the most ice-time of any goaltender. At the end of that year, he played in the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, backstopping Russia to a bronze medal.

Bobrovsky was named as one of Russia's goaltender for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi; he and Semyon Varlamov split time tending the net. After a disappointing loss in a shootout to the United States, the Russian team would end up being eliminated from the tournament by Finland with a 3–1 loss; Bobrovsky saw some action after Varlamov was pulled in the game.

Bobrovsky participated in the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Belarus as Russia's starting goaltender. In his first game, he saved all 27 shots, shutting-out Switzerland 5–0. Russia won a berth in the IIHF Finals against Finland, who eliminated Russia from the Sochi Olympics. Bobrovsky faced-off against fellow NHL goaltender Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators in the gold medal game. Russia went on to win the gold medal game 5–2, with Bobrovsky saving 24 out of 26 shots, backstopping the Russians to their second gold medal in the past three years in the tournament.

Bobrovsky was named the starting goaltender of Russia for the 2015 IIHF World Championship. On 9 May, he saved 13 shots including a penalty shot against Belarus in the group stage to help his team to a 7–0 win. On 16 May in the semifinal, Bobrovsky made several outstanding saves against the U.S., and led his team to a 4–0 win. He eventually finished with 35 saves and was named Player of the Game for Team Russia. On 17 May, he allowed 6 goals on 37 shots in the final, and although he made some great saves early on, it was not enough to keep his team from losing 6–1 to Canada.

Personal life[]

Bobrovsky married Olya Dorokova on 16 August 2011.[16] Bobrovsky's nicknames are "Bob", "Officer Bobrovsky", and "The Number One Cop."

On 13 March 2020, Bobrovsky pledged to give $100,000 to part-time workers of the BB&T Center who were unable to work during the suspension of the 2019–20 NHL season because of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.[17]

Records and achievements[]

Government[]

Bobrovsky receiving the Order of Honor at the Kremlin, May 2014

NHL[]

Columbus Blue Jackets[]

  • Most wins in a season: 41 (2016–17)
  • Best goals against average in a season: 2.00 (2012–13)
  • Best save percentage: .932 (2012–13)

Career statistics[]

Regular season and playoffs[]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2006–07 Metallurg Novokuznetsk RSL 8 — — — 280 13 0 2.78 — 1 — — 60 4 0 4.02 —
2007–08 Metallurg Novokuznetsk RSL 24 — — — 1153 57 1 2.97 .901 — — — — — — — —
2008–09 Metallurg Novokuznetsk KHL 32 6 16 2 1636 68 1 2.49 .927 — — — — — — — —
2009–10 Metallurg Novokuznetsk KHL 35 9 22 3 1964 89 1 2.72 .919 — — — — — — — —
2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 54 28 13 8 3017 130 0 2.59 .915 6 0 2 186 10 0 3.23 .877
2011–12 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 29 14 10 2 1550 78 0 3.02 .899 1 0 0 37 5 0 8.11 .722
2012–13 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 24 18 3 2 1420 46 4 1.94 .932 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 38 21 11 6 2219 74 4 2.00 .932 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 58 32 20 5 3299 131 5 2.38 .923 6 2 4 378 20 0 3.17 .908
2014–15 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 51 30 17 3 2994 134 2 2.69 .918 — — — — — — — —
2015–16 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 37 15 19 1 2116 97 1 2.75 .908 — — — — — — — —
2016–17 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 63 41 17 5 3708 127 7 2.06 .931 5 1 4 310 20 0 3.88 .882
2017–18 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 65 37 22 6 3912 158 5 2.42 .921 6 2 4 416 22 0 3.18 .900
2018–19 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 62 37 24 1 3557 153 9 2.58 .913 10 6 4 623 25 0 2.41 .925
2019–20 Florida Panthers NHL 50 23 19 6 2806 151 1 3.23 .900 4 1 3 234 12 0 3.08 .901
2020–21 Florida Panthers NHL 31 19 8 2 1816 88 0 2.91 .906 3 1 2 113 10 0 5.31 .841
KHL totals 91 33 41 7 5019 203 6 2.43 .925 — — — — — — — —
NHL totals 538 297 180 45 30,994 1,321 34 2.56 .916 41 13 23 2,295 124 0 3.24 .899

International[]

Year Team Event Result GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2008 Russia WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 4 2 0 366 15 0 2.46 .919
2014 Russia OG 5th 3 1 1 0 157 3 1 1.15 .952
2014 Russia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 8 8 0 0 480 9 2 1.13 .950
2015 Russia WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 9 6 3 0 542 21 1 2.32 .906
2016 Russia WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 9 7 2 0 521 15 1 1.73 .931
2016 Russia WCH 4th 4 2 2 0 237 10 1 2.53 .930
2021 ROC WC 5th 1 0 1 0 62 2 0 1.93 .917
Junior totals 6 4 2 0 366 15 0 2.46 .919
Senior totals 34 24 9 0 1,999 60 6 1.79 .933

Awards and honors[]

Award Year
NHL
First All-Star Team 2013, 2017
Vezina Trophy 2013, 2017 [9]
NHL All-Star 2015†, 2017
International
WJC Top 3 player on Team 2008
WC Top 3 player on Team 2014, 2015, 2016
WC Best goaltender 2014

† Could not play due to injury.

References[]

  1. ^ Joe Siville (5 November 2010). "The Story of Bob". PhiladelphiaFlyers.com. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  2. ^ "Flyers Sign Three Prospects". Philadelphia Flyers. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  3. ^ Adam Kimelman (14 July 2010). "Flyers confident they have a future starting goalie". NHL.com. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  4. ^ a b Mike G. Morreale (7 October 2010). "Russian rookie Bobrovsky gets nod in Flyers' net". NHL.com. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  5. ^ a b "Flyers spoil Pens' debut in new home with 3–2 win". NHL.com. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  6. ^ Frank Seravalli (8 October 2010). "Bobrovsky's play needs no translation as Flyers beat Penguins". philly.com. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  7. ^ Mike Brehm (22 June 2012). "Blue Jackets acquire goalie Bobrovsky". USAToday. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  8. ^ The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2014. Toronto: Diamond Sports Data, Inc. 2013. p. 593. ISBN 978-1-894801-26-3.
  9. ^ a b "Bobrovsky, Lundqvist, Niemi named Vezina finalists". NHL.com. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  10. ^ Wyshynski, Greg. "Sergei Bobrovsky's 2-year deal another win for Blue Jackets management". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  11. ^ Merz, Craig. "Capitals advance with Game 6 win against Blue Jackets". National Hockey League. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  12. ^ Allen, Kevin. "Blue Jackets complete stunning sweep of record-tying Lightning in first round". USA Today. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  13. ^ O'Brien, James. "Bruins eliminate Blue Jackets after another Rask masterpiece". NBC Sports. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  14. ^ "Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Sergei Bobrovsky on 7-Year Contract". NHL.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  15. ^ Maaddi, Rob (10 February 2020). "Van Riemsdyk, Hart Lead Philadelphia Flyers Past Florida Panthers". NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved 4 April 2021. Bobrovsky played in his 500th NHL game.
  16. ^ Josh Janet (16 August 2011). "Flyers News and Notes: August 16, 2011". gcobb.com. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  17. ^ "Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson among stars aiding arena workers". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  18. ^ "Бобровский награжден знаком "За заслуги перед городом Новокузнецком"" [Bobrovsky Received the "Badge of Merit for the Town of Novokuznetsk"]. Sports.ru. 21 June 2013.
  19. ^ "Победители чемпионата мира по хоккею 2014 года в Минске, удостоенные государственных наград Российской Федерации" [The Winners of the 2014 World Ice Hockey Championships in Minsk Received Government Awards of the Russian Federation]. news.kremlin.ru. 27 May 2014.
  20. ^ "Бобровский награждён орденом "Почёта Кузбасса"" [Bobrovsky Received the "Order of Honor of Kuzbass"]. Championat.com. 3 June 2014.
  21. ^ "Губернатор Тулеев наградил хоккеиста Сергея Бобровского" [Governor Tuleev Awarded Hockey Player Sergei Bobrovsky]. sport-42.ru. 3 June 2014.
  22. ^ "Bobrovsky named November's Rookie of the Month". NHL.com. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  23. ^ "Bobrovsky, Crosby and Carter named 'Three Stars'". NHL.com. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  24. ^ "Bobrovsky, Kessel and Bachman named 'Three Stars'". NHL.com. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  25. ^ "Bobrovsky leads 3 Stars of the Week". NHL.com. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  26. ^ "Stewart, Turris, Bobrovsky named 'Stars' of week". NHL.com. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  27. ^ "McDavid leads 3 Stars of the Month". NHL.com. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  28. ^ "Crosby, Subban, Bobrovsky are March's 'Three Stars'". NHL.com. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.

Further reading[]

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the Vezina Trophy
2013
2017 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""