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Nikolai Khabibulin

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Nikolai Khabibulin
Born (1973-01-13) January 13, 1973 (age 51)
Sverdlovsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Edmonton Oilers
NHL
Chicago Blackhawks
Tampa Bay Lightning
Phoenix Coyotes
Winnipeg Jets
USSR
Avtomobilist Sverdlovsk
CSKA Moscow
RSL
Ak Bars Kazan
National team  Russia and
Unified Team
NHL draft 204th overall, 1992
Winnipeg Jets
Playing career 1994–present

Nikolai Ivanovich Khabibulin (Russian: Николай Иванович Хабибулин; born January 13, 1973) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks. He is often known by his nickname The Bulin Wall.[1] Other nicknames include The Nyet Minder and The First Tsar.[2]

Khabibulin's abilities have been recognized with four appearances in the NHL All-Star Game and two Olympic medals. He became the first Russian goalie ever to win the Stanley Cup in 2004, winning the title with the Lightning.

Playing career

Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes

He was selected in the ninth round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. In the 1993–94 season Nikolai played with the touring Russian Penguins and by the start of the NHL season in January 1995 was playing in the NHL. In 1996, he moved with the Jets to Phoenix, Arizona, where they became the Coyotes. In his five seasons with the Jets/Coyotes franchise, he played in 60 games three times (including two instances playing 70 games), a heavy workload for a goaltender. Although the Coyotes made the playoffs each of these years, some claimed that this heavy workload led Khabibulin to be fatigued for the playoffs, contributing to the team's failure to make it to the second round of the playoffs.

After the 1998–99 season, Nikolai became embroiled in a bitter contract dispute with the Coyotes, and ended up holding out for an entire season. During this year, he played for the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League (IHL), earning the league's MVP trophy.

Tampa Bay Lightning

On March 5, 2001, Khabibulin was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Mike Johnson, Paul Mara, Ruslan Zainullin, and the New York Islanders' second round choice (previously acquired, Phoenix selected Matthew Spiller). He quickly signed a contract with Tampa Bay and by the next season, he re-emerged as a premier goaltender. Joined by superstars Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and Brad Richards, Khabibulin helped lead the Lightning back to the playoffs in 2003 (their first appearance since 1996) and then to a Stanley Cup in 2004 — the first in franchise history. Khabibulin recorded five shutouts in 23 playoff games, including three shutouts in the first-round match-up against the New York Islanders (tied for an NHL record for most shutouts in a playoff round).[3] Unlike his time in Phoenix, Khabibulin could enjoy extended rest when needed due to the skill of his backup, John Grahame.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Khabibulin was one of many Russian players to return to their homeland. From November 2004, he played for Ak Bars Kazan in Kazan.

Chicago Blackhawks

Khabibulin with the Blackhawks in 2008

As the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) ratified a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Khabibulin became a free agent when play was set to resume. Coming off his Stanley Cup win the previous NHL season, the Chicago Blackhawks signed him to a four-year, $27 million deal, making him the highest paid goalie in the league.[4] But injuries and inconsistent play plagued him during his tenure in Chicago. In his first season with the Blackhawks, he recorded a 3.35 goals against average (GAA) — the highest of his career since his rookie season in Winnipeg — and Chicago finished second last in the Western Conference.

In July 2008, the Blackhawks signed goaltender Cristobal Huet, previously of the Washington Capitals. The signing of Huet was thought to have effectively displaced Khabibulin as the starting goalie, especially given he was put on waivers on September 29, 2008, but cleared.[5] In light of Huet and Khabibulin's combined salaries (Huet was signed to a contract averaging $5.6 million per season),[6] it was speculated Khabibulin would be traded to provide cap space.[5][7] However, he spent the entire season with the team, playing in 42 games, and by the start of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he had retrenched himself as starting goaltender. Khabibulin and the Blackhawks defeated the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks to progress to the Western Conference Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. During the third game of the series, Khabibulin surrendered three goals in one period, after shutting out the Red Wings in the previous period. He was replaced by Cristobal Huet for the third period due to a lower body injury.[8] Khabibulin missed the remaining three games of the series because of the injury.[9]

Edmonton Oilers

On July 1, 2009, he signed a four-year deal worth $15 million with the Edmonton Oilers,[10] replacing Dwayne Roloson as the Oilers' starting goaltender.

His Oilers debut on October 3 against the Calgary Flames was a blunder, however. While trying to field a clearing pass in the final minute of the third period, he mishandled the puck and gave up the game-winning goal to Flames' right wing David Moss.[11]

On January 13, 2010, it was announced that Khabibulin will have surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back. He missed the remainder of the regular season.[12]

Khabibulin kicked off the 2010–11 NHL season with a 37 save performance in a 4-0 victory over the Calgary Flames.

Personal life

On February 8, 2010, Khabibulin was pulled over by a police officer for surpassing the legal speed limit by 25 miles per hour. The officer noted various signs that suggested Khabibulin could have been under the influence of alcohol, and proceeded to administer a field sobriety test. Khabibulin was subsequently arrested and charged with speeding and impaired driving.[13]

On July 7, 2010, Khabibulin's court case was postponed. [14] On August 27, 2010, Khabibulin was found guilty of excessive speed, extreme DUI, and DUI over the 0.08 level. On August 31, 2010, he received the minimum sentence of 30 days in jail, which is now pending appeal. [15]

International play

Nikolai Khabibulin
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Russia
Winter Olympics
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Salt Lake City
Representing  CIS
Winter Olympics
Gold medal – first place 1992 Albertville
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 1992 Germany
Khabibulin at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Khabibulin made his international debut with the Soviet Union at the 1991 European Junior Championships. He appeared in the 1992 World Junior Championships the next year and won a gold medal with the CIS, appearing in six games. Khabibulin and the national team had begun the tournament as the Soviet Union, but the state was dissolved following the round robin on New Year's Day, thus they proceeded to compete as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

That same year, Khabibulin appeared in the 1992 Winter Olympics with the CIS as the third goaltender. Controversy arose after the CIS captured the gold medal when legendary Russian coach Viktor Tikhonov kept a medal for himself (coaches and management are not awarded medals in Olympic hockey) instead of allowing Khabibulin to have one, as Khabibulin had not played a game in the tournament.[16] This is speculated to be the reason for Khabibulin boycotting the Russian team in later international tournaments.[citation needed] Ten years later, at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Khabibulin was finally awarded his 1992 Olympic gold medal in a private locker room ceremony with teammates and the Russian Hockey Federation.[16]

After his second season with the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL, Khabibulin competed with Russia in the 1996 World Cup. He appeared in two games.

At the 2002 Winter Olympics, in which the 1992 gold medal conflict was resolved, Khabibulin established himself as the national team's starting goaltender. He helped Russia to a bronze medal while appearing in six games. He appeared again in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, but had previously been overtaken as Russia's starting goalie by the San Jose Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov. Khabibulin did not play a game in either tournament as Russia failed to medal.

Awards

Career statistics

Regular season

Season Team League GP W L T/OTL MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1989–90 Avtomobilist Sverdlovsk USSR 1 — — — 3 0 0 0.00 —
1991–92 CSKA Moscow CIS 2 — — — 34 2 0 3.53 —
1992–93 CSKA Moscow IHL 13 — — — 491 27 — 3.30 —
1993–94 CSKA Moscow IHL 46 — — — 2625 116 3 2.65 —
1993–94 Russian Penguins IHL 12 2 7 2 639 47 0 4.41 .873
1994–95 Springfield Falcons AHL 23 9 9 3 1241 80 0 3.87 .874
1994–95 Winnipeg Jets NHL 26 8 9 4 1339 76 0 3.40 .895
1995–96 Winnipeg Jets NHL 53 26 20 3 2914 152 2 3.13 .908
1996–97 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 72 30 33 6 4091 193 7 2.83 .908
1997–98 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 70 30 28 10 4026 184 4 2.74 .900
1998–99 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 63 32 23 7 3657 130 8 2.13 .920
1999–00 Long Beach Ice Dogs IHL 33 21 11 1 1936 59 5 1.83 .930
2000–01 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 2 1 1 0 123 6 0 2.93 .913
2001–02 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 70 24 32 10 3896 153 7 2.36 .920
2002–03 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 65 30 22 11 3787 156 4 2.47 .911
2003–04 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 55 28 19 7 3274 127 3 2.33 .910
2004–05 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 24 16 5 3 1457 40 5 1.65 —
2005–06 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 50 17 26 6 2815 157 0 3.35 .886
2006–07 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 60 25 26 5 3425 163 1 2.86 .902
2007–08 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 50 23 20 6 2891 127 2 2.63 .909
2008–09 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 42 25 8 7 2467 96 3 2.33 .919
2009–10 Edmonton Oilers NHL 18 7 9 2 602 55 0 3.03 .909
NHL totals 696 306 276 84 39794 1775 41 2.68 .908

Playoffs

Season Team League GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1993–94 CSKA Moscow IHL 3 — — 193 11 — 3.41 —
1995–96 Winnipeg Jets NHL 6 2 4 359 19 0 3.17 .911
1996–97 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 7 3 4 426 15 1 2.11 .932
1997–98 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 4 2 1 185 13 0 4.21 .877
1998–99 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 7 3 4 449 18 0 2.40 .924
1999–00 Long Beach Ice Dogs IHL 5 2 3 321 15 0 2.80 —
2002–03 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 10 5 5 644 26 0 2.42 .913
2003–04 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 23 16 7 1401 40 5 1.71 .933
2004–05 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 2 0 2 118 6 0 3.05 —
2008–09 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 15 8 6 881 43 0 2.93 .898
NHL totals 72 39 31 4345 174 6 2.40 .917

International statistics

Year Team Event Place   GP W L T / OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1992 CIS WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 6 0 0 289 7 2 1.45 .907
1992 Unified Team Oly 1st place, gold medalist(s) 0 — — — — — — — —
1993 Russia WJC 6th 6 2 3 1 340 15 1 2.65 .917
1996 Russia WCH SF 2 0 2 0 100 10 0 6.00 —
2002 Russia Oly 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 3 2 1 359 14 1 2.34 .930

References

  1. ^ Nikolai Khabibulin (1994-present)
  2. ^ "Khabibulin's curious legacy of losses against the Canucks". The Vancouver Sun. May 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  3. ^ "Khabibulin redefines reputation". St. Petersberg Times. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  4. ^ Diamos, Jason (2005-08-06). "With Playoffs in Mind, Chicago Signs Khabibulin". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  5. ^ a b "Khabibulin clears waivers". CBC. 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  6. ^ Allen, Kevin (2008-07-01). "Campbell, Huet heading for Chicago". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  7. ^ "Report:Khabibulin in Sens-Kings-Hawks swap". Sporting News. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  8. ^ Ziehm, Len (2009-05-20). "Wings win 3-2 in OT, put Hawks in 2-hole". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2009-05-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Khabibulin out, Havlat in for Game 4". Miami Herald. 2009-05-24. Retrieved 2009-05-25. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) [dead link]
  10. ^ "OILERS GET THEIR NO. 1 GOALIE IN KHABIBULIN". TSN. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Moss scores second goal with 48.7 seconds left on Khabibulin's misplayed puck". Associated Press. 2009-10-03. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  12. ^ "Edmonton Oilers Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to have back surgery". Associated Press. 2010-01-13. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
  13. ^ "Oilers' Khabibulin accused of drunk driving". CBC News. 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2010-02-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ "Oilers' Khabibulin DUI case put over". Toronto Sun. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2010-07-08. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ^ "Former Coyote Khabibulin receives minimum sentence for DUI". AZ Vibe. 2010-31-08. Retrieved 2010-31-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ a b "Goalie gets his vintage gold". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-10-12.

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