SJ Sharks' Nabokov.....
Jan 23, 2002 3:01:13 GMT -5
Post by Pam on Jan 23, 2002 3:01:13 GMT -5
Hi Guys,
This post was too long, so I have to do it in two parts. Sorry about that.
I would like to share an article on Nabokov with you guys, but before I go on, I'd like to say I would love it if the Sharks could play a good game on Sunday with the Habs. However, I don't want the Sharks to run all over the Habs. The Sharks winning by 1 goal would be my preference. I hope Nabby, and the line of Thornton-Sundstrom-Ricci, play well enough so that you can see why I rave about them all the time, and if they do that you can understand why I like the Sharks so much. If the Sharks give a good game I'm sure all of you will enjoy it even if the Habs do lose. I don't mean you will enjoy the Habs losing, just enjoy Nabby and Sundstrom-Ricci-Thornton.
FROM NHL.COM
What a difference a year makes
By Rob Picarello, NHL.com, Jan. 18, 2002
Coming into the 2001-02 season, the San Jose Sharks knew just how good Evgeni Nabokov can be in goal. But at the start of last season, the young netminder was just insurance and a spectator behind veteran puck-stopper, Steve Shields.
But just two games into the season, Shields went down with a ankle injury. He never regained his No. 1 status with the team, as Nabokov stood on his head from the very first game he played, backstopping the Sharks to a 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Nabokov never looked back. Not only did he give his team confidence when he skated between the pipes, Nabokov also gave management the chance to capitalize on a deal with Anaheim for Teemu Selanne when they dealt Shields, Jeff Friesen and future considerations for the offensive dynamo.
The Kazakhstan native not only went on to post franchise records for wins (32) and shutouts (6) in a single season, he also went on to garner the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year for the 2000-01 campaign. It was the second year in a row that a San Jose freshman was nominated for the prestigious NHL hardware. Following the 1999-00 season, backliner Brad Stuart finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to New Jersey's Scott Gomez. After the votes were tabulated, Nabokov finished with 565 total points in the Calder voting, with a League-high 50 first place votes. His impressive numbers (32-21-7 record, 2.19 goals-against average, .915 save percentage) also allowed the 25-year old to finish fourth in voting for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top target.
In addition, Nabokov became only the second Sharks skater ever to win an NHL award. Following a courageous comeback in the 1996-97 season, feisty forward Tony Granato won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Speaking of dedication, "Nabby" has been devoted to the sport of hockey, and the goalie position, from a very young age. He took on the winter game after watching his dad, Victor, don the pads for a high-profile team in his hometown.
(continued in next post)
This post was too long, so I have to do it in two parts. Sorry about that.
I would like to share an article on Nabokov with you guys, but before I go on, I'd like to say I would love it if the Sharks could play a good game on Sunday with the Habs. However, I don't want the Sharks to run all over the Habs. The Sharks winning by 1 goal would be my preference. I hope Nabby, and the line of Thornton-Sundstrom-Ricci, play well enough so that you can see why I rave about them all the time, and if they do that you can understand why I like the Sharks so much. If the Sharks give a good game I'm sure all of you will enjoy it even if the Habs do lose. I don't mean you will enjoy the Habs losing, just enjoy Nabby and Sundstrom-Ricci-Thornton.
FROM NHL.COM
What a difference a year makes
By Rob Picarello, NHL.com, Jan. 18, 2002
Coming into the 2001-02 season, the San Jose Sharks knew just how good Evgeni Nabokov can be in goal. But at the start of last season, the young netminder was just insurance and a spectator behind veteran puck-stopper, Steve Shields.
But just two games into the season, Shields went down with a ankle injury. He never regained his No. 1 status with the team, as Nabokov stood on his head from the very first game he played, backstopping the Sharks to a 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Nabokov never looked back. Not only did he give his team confidence when he skated between the pipes, Nabokov also gave management the chance to capitalize on a deal with Anaheim for Teemu Selanne when they dealt Shields, Jeff Friesen and future considerations for the offensive dynamo.
The Kazakhstan native not only went on to post franchise records for wins (32) and shutouts (6) in a single season, he also went on to garner the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year for the 2000-01 campaign. It was the second year in a row that a San Jose freshman was nominated for the prestigious NHL hardware. Following the 1999-00 season, backliner Brad Stuart finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to New Jersey's Scott Gomez. After the votes were tabulated, Nabokov finished with 565 total points in the Calder voting, with a League-high 50 first place votes. His impressive numbers (32-21-7 record, 2.19 goals-against average, .915 save percentage) also allowed the 25-year old to finish fourth in voting for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top target.
In addition, Nabokov became only the second Sharks skater ever to win an NHL award. Following a courageous comeback in the 1996-97 season, feisty forward Tony Granato won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Speaking of dedication, "Nabby" has been devoted to the sport of hockey, and the goalie position, from a very young age. He took on the winter game after watching his dad, Victor, don the pads for a high-profile team in his hometown.
(continued in next post)