Guide Note

National Hockey League all-star goaltender Evgeni Nabokov currently plays for the San Jose Sharks.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Evgeni Viktorovich Nabokov
2. Born: July 25, 1975
3. Birthplace: Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan
4. 2001 NHL Rookie of the Year
5. 2000 NHL Debut

Nabokov first played professional hockey in Russia, starting in 1991. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 1994 NHL Draft, however continued to play in Russia for the following three seasons, playing for Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Hockey Super League.

Starting in the 1997-98 season, Nabokov came to the United States to play for the Kentucky Thoroughblades in the American Hockey League. On January 1, 2000 he was called up to make his NHL debut with the Sharks. The following season he was given the starting goaltender job with the Sharks for the 2000-01 regular season. He had a highly successful first season, earning his first NHL All-Star Game selection and being selected for the Calder Trophy for the NHL Rookie of the Year.

Nabokov helped the Sharks in goal during their 2004 championship run. They won the first two playoff rounds, then were defeated by the Calgary Flames in the conference finals. In 2008 he was selected for his second NHL All-Star Game appearance.