Evgeni Nabokov

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Lore & Background

In his first nine seasons in the NHL, all with San Jose, Nabokov became the team leader in nearly every goaltending category, including games played, wins, and shutouts. At his retirement, he had the eighteenth most all-time NHL regular season wins. During a game in 2002 he scored a goal, the seventh goalie in NHL history to do so, and the first not from North America. Born in the then-Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, he first played internationally with Kazakhstan at the 1994 World Championships Group C, but later joined the Russian national team, playing for them from 2006, including both the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics, and winning a gold at the 2008 World Championships.

In Their Own Story

The SAP Center arena hummed with a nervous energy as the third period wound down in overtime. The puck was loose near the Sharks' crease, and Evgeni Nabokov exploded from his butterfly stance, stretching his glove hand into the impossible void. With a sharp crack of the stick against the ice, he froze the puck, sealing another victory for San Jose. As the crowd erupted, he stood tall in the net, adjusting his mask with that signature look of calm confidence that had become the heartbeat of the franchise.

Reader's Guide

Nabokov first played for his hometown team, Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk, from 1991 to 1994. After his last season he was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the ninth round, 219th overall, in 1994. He then moved to Dynamo Moscow for three seasons, winning a league championship in his first year. After the 1996–97 season, he was contacted by the Sharks and offered a contract. Assigned to the Kentucky Thoroughblades of the AHL, he struggled initially but stayed after meeting his future wife and refining his style with goaltending coach Warren Strelow. He started the 1999–2000 season with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL, then was recalled to the Sharks as backup. He made his NHL debut on January 1, 2000, and his first start on January 19, 2000, recording a 0–0 tie with 39 saves. In 2000–01, after Steve Shields injured his ankle, Nabokov became the starter, appearing in 66 games with 32 wins and 21 losses, and was named to the All-Star Game. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy and was named to the All-Rookie team. In 2001–02, he had 37 wins and 7 shutouts in 67 games, and on March 10, 2002, scored a goal against the Vancouver Canucks. After a contract holdout at the start of 2002–03, he signed a two-year deal worth over $3.5 million per season. He had 31 wins in 2003–04, helping the Sharks reach the third round of the playoffs for the first time. In 2005–06, his save percentage fell below .900 and he became backup to Vesa Toskala, but signed a four-year extension worth roughly $21.5 million in February 2006. In 2006–07, he split starting duties with Toskala and played all five games in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. In 2007–08, he started the first 43 games, was named a 'Three Star' for the NHL in late December 2007, and played in his second All-Star Game on January 27, 2008, stopping all eight shots. He recorded 41 wins in the following season as the Sharks clinched first overall in the Western Conference, though they were eliminated in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks. On October 17, 2009, he played in his 500th career game, all with the Sharks, stopping 31 shots in a 4–1 win over the New York Islanders.

Did You Know?

• Nabokov was selected 219th overall in the 1994 NHL entry draft by the San Jose Sharks, who never saw him play before drafting him and did not contact him until 1997.
• He scored a goal on March 10, 2002, becoming the seventh goalie in NHL history to do so and the first not from North America.
• Nabokov won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in 2001 and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2008.
• He played for Kazakhstan at the 1994 World Championships Group C before switching to the Russian national team, with whom he won gold at the 2008 World Championships.

Early Life and Path to North America

Born in Kazakhstan during the Soviet era, Yevgeni Viktorovich Nabokov began his journey with his hometown club, Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk, from 1991 to 1994. His talent caught the attention of San Jose Sharks scouts, leading to a surprising selection as the 219th overall pick in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. Remarkably, the team had never seen him play before drafting him and did not contact him until three years later. Before making the move across the ocean, Nabokov honed his skills with Dynamo Moscow, winning a league championship and reaching the European Hockey League final. Although initially reluctant to leave Russia for minor-league affiliates in North America, he followed his parents' advice. His transition was difficult; struggling to adapt to the American style of play while serving as a backup in Kentucky, he nearly returned home. However, meeting his future wife, Tabitha, and refining his technique under coach Warren Strelow convinced him to stay, setting the stage for his eventual NHL breakthrough.

Rise to Stardom with San Jose

Nabokov's ascent began in earnest during the 2000-01 season when an injury to starter Steve Shields thrust him into the primary role. He immediately proved his worth, recording 32 wins and earning a spot in the All-Star Game. This outstanding rookie campaign earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best first-year player, along with a fourth-place finish for the Vezina Trophy. His dominance continued the following year, highlighted by seven shutouts and a historic moment on March 10, 2002, when he scored against the Vancouver Canucks. This feat made him the seventh goalie in NHL history to score and the first non-North American to do so, specifically marking the first power-play goal by a goaltender. Over his first nine seasons with San Jose, Nabokov became the franchise leader in nearly every goaltending category, including games played, wins, and shutouts, solidifying his status as one of the league's elite netminders.

Contract Disputes and International Glory

Despite his on-ice success, Nabokov faced significant off-ice challenges, most notably a contract holdout at the start of the 2002-03 season. Feeling underpaid compared to his performance, he missed five games before agreeing to a two-year deal worth over $3.5 million annually. While that specific season was disappointing for both player and team, missing the playoffs, he rebounded strongly in subsequent years, leading San Jose to their first-ever third-round playoff appearance. His international career also flourished; though he began representing Kazakhstan at the 1994 World Championships, he later switched allegiance to Russia. Representing his adopted country from 2006 onward, Nabokov competed in both the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics and secured a gold medal with the Russian national team at the 2008 World Championships, showcasing his versatility on the global stage.

Later Career and Coaching Legacy

After years of dominance, Nabokov's performance dipped slightly in the 2005-06 season, leading to him being relegated to a backup role behind Vesa Toskala. Nevertheless, the Sharks recognized his value, signing him to a massive four-year extension worth roughly $21.5 million that included a no-trade clause contingent on playoff qualification. He eventually departed for SKA Saint Petersburg in Russia in 2010 but returned to the NHL briefly before concluding his playing career with the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. Upon retiring, Nabokov remained deeply connected to San Jose, first serving as a development coach and later being named the team's official goaltending coach in 2019. His retirement marked the end of an era where he held the eighteenth most all-time regular-season wins in NHL history, leaving behind a legacy defined by resilience, historic achievements, and continued mentorship.

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