Anton Khudobin

Lore & Background

Khudobin began his hockey career in Kazakhstan but moved to Russia at age 13 to join the Metallurg hockey school in Magnitogorsk. He was a consistent starter for Russia's national junior squads, earning a gold medal at the 2004 IIHF World U18 Championships and silver medals at the 2005 and 2006 World Junior Championships. After being drafted by the Wild in 2004, he played in the WHL for the Saskatoon Blades before returning to Russia to back up Metallurg in the Russian Superleague, helping them win the league championship. He signed an entry-level contract with the Wild in 2007 and made his NHL debut in 2010, posting his first career shutout against the Vancouver Canucks in 2011.

Khudobin was traded to the Boston Bruins in 2011 and was part of their Stanley Cup-winning squad that year, receiving a ring but not having his name engraved on the Cup. He signed a two-year contract with the Bruins in 2011 and later served as backup to Tuukka Rask during the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season. He joined the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent in 2013, posting a 13–8–0 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in his first season, and was named the NHL's First Star for January after tying a franchise record for wins in a month. He was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2015, where he played eight games before being reassigned to the AHL's San Diego Gulls. He returned to the Bruins in 2016 and later signed with the Dallas Stars in 2018.

Reader's Guide

Khudobin's career is notable for his journeyman path across five NHL clubs, often serving as a reliable backup and occasional starter. His nickname 'Dobby' became widely recognized among fans. He was part of the Boston Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup championship team, receiving a ring despite not playing for the club during the regular season. His strongest individual season came with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013–14, where he posted a .927 save percentage and was named the NHL's First Star for January. His trade to the Anaheim Ducks in 2015 was part of a deal involving defenceman James Wisniewski, but his tenure with the Ducks was brief, consisting of eight games before he was reassigned to the AHL. Khudobin's legacy is that of a capable goaltender who moved between organizations, providing depth and occasional standout performances, particularly during his time with the Hurricanes and his early years with the Wild.

Did You Know?

• Khudobin was nicknamed 'Dobby'.
• He was drafted 206th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2004 NHL entry draft.
• He earned a Stanley Cup ring with the Boston Bruins in 2011, though his name was not engraved on the Cup.