- Nikolai Khabibulin
-
Nikolai Khabibulin 
Khabibulin with the Oilers in 2009Born January 13, 1973
Sverdlovsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet UnionHeight 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight 206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb) Position Goaltender Catches Left NHL team
Former teamsEdmonton Oilers
NHL
Chicago Blackhawks
Tampa Bay Lightning
Phoenix Coyotes
Winnipeg Jets
USSR
Avtomobilist Sverdlovsk
CSKA Moscow
RSL
Ak Bars KazanNational team 
Russia
Unified TeamNHL Draft 204th overall, 1992
Winnipeg JetsPlaying 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 is often known by his nickname The Bulin Wall[1] He has previously played for the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks.
Khabibulin's abilities have been recognized with two Olympic medals (Gold and Bronze), and as Best Goaltender at the 2002 Winter Olympics[2]. With a spectacular performance, he became the first Russian goalie ever to win the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, and is a 4-time NHL All-Star.
Contents
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 to 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 would 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. However, injuries once again limited his action. He recorded a sub-par 10–32–3 record as the Oilers were once again last place in the Western Conference.
Due to Khabibulin's strong play in October of the 2011-2012 season, with a 5-0-2 record, with a league leading 9.60 save percentage, and a 1.12 GAA, he was named the third star of the month.
International play
Medal record Ice hockey Competitor for 
CISWorld Junior Championships Gold 1992 Germany Winter Olympics Gold 1992 Albertville Competitor for RussiaWinter Olympics Bronze 2002 Salt Lake City 
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.[13] 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.[13]
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 all six games, and was named Best Goaltender of the tournament[2].
He was called up again in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, but he missed them due to injury. Russia's starting goalie was the San Jose Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov. Khabibulin did not play a game in either tournament as Russia failed to medal.
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.[14]
On July 7, 2010, Khabibulin's court case was postponed.[15] 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. On July 26, 2011, Khabibulin withdrew the appeal, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He will be in a jail for half of the time, and be under house arrest for the other half. [16]
Awards and achievements
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003
- Won the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy (IHL) MVP) in 2000.
- Tied NHL record for most Shutouts in a Playoff Round (3)[2]
- NHL 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Save percentage Leader (.932)
- NHL 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Wins Leader (16)
- NHL 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Shutouts Leader (5)
- NHL 2011–12 season - Lowest GAA through the first 9 games of a season since the 1967-68 Season (0.98)[17]
- 2004 NHL Stanley Cup Champion – Tampa Bay Lightning
- 1992 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Gold Medal
- 2002 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Bronze Medal
- 2002 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Best Goaltender[2]
Career statistics
Regular season
Bolded numbers indicate season/ playoff leader
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 2010–11 Edmonton Oilers NHL 46 10 32 3 1,364 149 2 3.39 .891 NHL totals 743 316 308 87 42495 1928 43 2.72 .907 -
- Beginning in the 2005–06 NHL season, regular season games could no longer end in a tie.
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 
6 6 0 0 289 7 2 1.45 .907 1992 Unified Team Oly 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 
6 3 2 1 359 14 1 2.34 .930 2006 Russia Oly 4th 0 — — — — — — — — References
- ^ Nikolai Khabibulin (1994–present)
- ^ a b c d http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18750
- ^ "Khabibulin redefines reputation". St. Petersberg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2004/04/15/Columns/Khabibulin_redefines_.shtml. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
- ^ Diamos, Jason (August 6, 2005). "With Playoffs in Mind, Chicago Signs Khabibulin". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/sports/hockey/06nhl.html. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
- ^ a b "Khabibulin clears waivers". CBC. September 30, 2008. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2008/09/30/khabibulin-chicago.html. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ Allen, Kevin (July 1, 2008). "Campbell, Huet heading for Chicago". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2008-07-01-signing-day_N.htm. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
- ^ "Report:Khabibulin in Sens-Kings-Hawks swap". Sporting News. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=435424. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
- ^ Ziehm, Len (May 20, 2009). "Wings win 3–2 in OT, put Hawks in 2-hole". Chicago Sun-Times. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/1582551,CST-SPT-hawk20.article. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
- ^ "Khabibulin out, Havlat in for Game 4". Miami Herald. May 24, 2009. http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/hockey/hockey-wires/story/1063842.html. Retrieved May 25, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "OILERS GET THEIR NO. 1 GOALIE IN KHABIBULIN". TSN. July 1, 2009. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283439. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
- ^ "Moss scores second goal with 48.7 seconds left on Khabibulin's misplayed puck". Associated Press. October 3, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ "Edmonton Oilers Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to have back surgery". Associated Press. January 13, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
- ^ a b "Goalie gets his vintage gold". Seattle Times. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20020216&slug=olynote16. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ "Oilers' Khabibulin accused of drunk driving". CBC News. February 17, 2010. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2010/02/17/edmonton-khabibulin-impaired-charge-arizona.html. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
- ^ "Oilers' Khabibulin DUI case put over". Toronto Sun. July 7, 2010. http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/07/07/14637311.html. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
- ^ "Former Coyote Khabibulin receives minimum sentence for DUI". AZ Vibe. August 31, 2010. http://coyotes.azvibe.com/2010/08/31/former-coyote-khabibulin-receives-minimum-sentence-for-dui/. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
- ^ http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2011/11/08/NHL-Edmonton-3-Montreal-1/UPI-63381320809566
External links
Categories:- 1973 births
- Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg players
- Chicago Blackhawks players
- Edmonton Oilers players
- Ak Bars Kazan players
- HC CSKA Moscow players
- Ice hockey players at the 1992 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 2002 Winter Olympics
- Living people
- Long Beach Ice Dogs players
- National Hockey League All-Stars
- Olympic bronze medalists for Russia
- Olympic gold medalists for the Unified Team
- Olympic ice hockey players of Russia
- Olympic ice hockey players of the Unified Team
- People from Yekaterinburg
- Phoenix Coyotes players
- Russian ice hockey goaltenders
- Russian Penguins players
- Soviet ice hockey players
- Springfield Falcons players
- Stanley Cup champions
- Tampa Bay Lightning players
- Winnipeg Jets (1979–96) draft picks
- Winnipeg Jets (1979–96) players
- Olympic medalists in ice hockey
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