Nikolai Khabibulin

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Nikolai Khabibulin
Khabibulin with the Edmonton Oilers in 2009
Born (1973-01-13) January 13, 1973 (age 51)
Sverdlovsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
KHL team
Former teams		 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Avtomobilist Sverdlovsk
CSKA Moscow
Winnipeg Jets
Phoenix Coyotes
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ak Bars Kazan
Chicago Blackhawks
Edmonton Oilers
National team Unified Team and
 Russia
NHL Draft 204th overall, 1992
Winnipeg Jets
Playing career 1994–2013
2023–present

Nikolai Alexandrovich Khabibulin (/ˌhæbiˈbuːlɪn/ ⓘ; Russian: Николай Александрович Хабибулин, IPA: [xəbʲɪˈbulʲɪn], born January 13, 1973) is a Russian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Known by the nickname "The Bulin Wall",[1] he spent the majority of his playing career in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Edmonton Oilers.

Khabibulin excelled at the international level, winning two Olympic medals (gold and bronze) and was named Best Goaltender at the 2002 Winter Olympics.[2] He was the first Russian goaltender to ever win the Stanley Cup, doing so with Tampa Bay in 2004; until 2020, he was also the only Russian goaltender to start in the Finals. He is also a four-time NHL All-Star.

Playing career[edit]

Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes (1994–99)[edit]

Khabibulin was selected in the ninth round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. In the 1993–94 season, he 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 Phoenix Coyotes. In five years with the Jets/Coyotes franchise, he started at least 60 games in three of those seasons (including two instances in which he played 70 games), a heavy workload for a goaltender. Although the team made the Stanley Cup playoffs each of these years, some claimed that their first-round exits were partly due to Khabibulin being fatigued from playing so many regular season games.

After the 1998–99 season, Khabibulin 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 James Gatschene Memorial Trophy as league MVP.

Tampa Bay Lightning (2001–2004)[edit]

On March 5, 2001, Khabibulin was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Mike Johnson, Paul Mara, Ruslan Zainullin and the New York Islanders' second-round choice (previously acquired; Phoenix selected Matthew Spiller). Khabibulin quickly signed a contract with Tampa Bay and by the next season, he re-emerged as a premier goaltender. At the 2002 NHL All-Star Game his flawless, 20-save third period allowed the World All-Stars to rally for a comeback 8–5 win. Though Éric Dazé of the Chicago Blackhawks was chosen as the All-Star MVP, Khabibulin's play was the talk of both locker rooms. Indeed, many players were surprised that Khabibulin wasn't named MVP, an honour they felt was deserved and obvious.[3][4] MVP voting was allegedly conducted with about five minutes remaining in the game while the North American All-Stars still held the lead.

Joined by budding 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).[5] 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 (2005–2009)[edit]

Khabibulin, #39, 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 goaltender in the League.[6] Injuries and inconsistent play, however, 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 goaltender, especially given he was put on waivers on September 29, 2008, but cleared.[7] In light of Huet and Khabibulin's combined salaries (Huet was signed to a contract averaging $5.6 million per season),[8] it was speculated Khabibulin would be traded to provide cap space.[7][9] However, he spent the entire season with the team, playing in 42 games, and by the start of the 2009 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 Huet for the third period due to a lower body injury.[10] Khabibulin missed the remaining three games of the series as a result of the injury.[11]

Edmonton Oilers (2009–2013)[edit]

Khabibulin with the Oilers in 2009

On July 1, 2009, Khabibulin signed a four-year, $15 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers,[12] 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.[13]

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.[14]

Khabibulin kicked off the 2010–11 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 very poor record of 10–32–3, as the Oilers were once again last place in the Western Conference.

Due to Khabibulin's strong play in October of the 2011–12 season, posting a 5–0–2 record, with an NHL-leading .960 save percentage and a 1.12 GAA, he was named the Third Star of the Month. However, Khabibulin's play fell off in the second half of the season, and he ended the season with an average 2.65 GAA and a .910 save percentage. In the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, his former backup, Devan Dubnyk, replaced him as the team's starting goaltender. This was Khabibulin's first season as a backup.

Return to Chicago (2013–14)[edit]

On July 5, 2013, Khabibulin signed a one-year, $2 million contract to play for the Blackhawks for the 2013–14 season.[15][16] It was his second stint with Chicago after previously playing for them from 2005 to 2009. He served as the backup goaltender to Corey Crawford.[17]

Khabibulin suffered an injury in a loss to the Nashville Predators on November 16, 2013, and was placed on injured reserve the next day.[18] As a result, goaltender Antti Raanta was recalled from the Blackhawks' American Hockey league (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.[19] He never played another game in the NHL after sustaining the hip injury. Khabibulin announced his intentions to retire on November 13, 2015. He has expressed an interest in continuing his hockey career in management.[20]

Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (2023–present)[edit]

Khabibulin retired from playing hockey after the 2013–14 NHL season but remained in the sport as goaltender coach for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). On December 27, 2023, he un-retired and became a goaltender for Torpedo at the age of 50.[21][22]

International play[edit]


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

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. He remains the last active player from Russia to win the Olympic Games. 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.[23] This is speculated to be the reason for Khabibulin boycotting the Russian team in later international tournaments.[citation needed]

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] Also 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.[23]

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.

Khabibulin was called up again in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, but missed the tournament due to injury. Russia's starting goaltender was the San Jose Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov. Khabibulin did not play a game in either tournament, in which Russia failed to win a medal.

Personal life[edit]

On February 8, 2010, Khabibulin was pulled over in Arizona 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.[24]

On July 7, 2010, Khabibulin's court case was postponed.[25] 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 he then tried to appeal. On July 26, 2011, Khabibulin withdrew the appeal, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He was in a jail for half of the time, and under house arrest for the other half.[26] Khabibulin served his sentence in Joe Arpaio's Tent City jail.[27]

Khabibulin helped Victoria Azarenka settle in Scottsdale when she moved from Belarus to pursue a career in tennis. His wife is friends with Azarenka's mother and decided to help her. They have become close friends since.[28] Khabibulin's daughter, Sasha, is the wife of former NHL player Robert Nilsson.

Awards and achievements[edit]

NHL[edit]

International[edit]

Other[edit]

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season and playoffs[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T OTL MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1988–89 Avtomobilist Sverdlovsk URS 1 — — — — 3 — — — — — — — — — — — —
1989–90 Luch Sverdlovsk URS.2 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
1990–91 Sputnik Nizhny Tagil URS.2 10 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
1991–92 CSKA Moscow CIS 2 — — — — 34 2 0 3.53 — — — — — — — — —
1991–92 CSKA–2 Moscow CIS.3 11 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
1991–92 Metallurg Serov CIS.3 18 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
1992–93 CSKA Moscow RUS 13 — — — — 491 27 — 3.30 — — — — — — — — —
1992–93 CSKA–2 Moscow RUS.2 18 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
1993–94 CSKA Moscow RUS 46 — — — — 2625 116 3 2.65 — 3 — — 193 11 — 3.41 —
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 6 2 4 359 19 0 3.17 .911
1996–97 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 72 30 33 6 — 4091 193 7 2.83 .908 7 3 4 426 15 1 2.11 .932
1997–98 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 70 30 28 10 — 4026 184 4 2.74 .900 4 2 1 185 13 0 4.21 .877
1998–99 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 63 32 23 7 — 3657 130 8 2.13 .920 7 3 4 449 18 0 2.40 .924
1999–2000 Long Beach Ice Dogs IHL 33 21 11 1 — 1936 59 5 1.83 .930 5 2 3 321 15 0 2.80 .905
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 10 5 5 644 26 0 2.42 .913
2003–04 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 55 28 19 7 — 3274 127 3 2.33 .910 23 16 7 1401 40 5 1.71 .933
2004–05 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 24 16 5 3 — 1457 40 5 1.65 .926 2 0 2 118 6 0 3.05 .846
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 15 8 6 881 43 0 2.93 .898
2009–10 Edmonton Oilers NHL 18 7 9 — 2 602 55 0 3.03 .909 — — — — — — — —
2010–11 Edmonton Oilers NHL 46 10 32 — 3 1364 149 2 3.39 .891 — — — — — — — —
2011–12 Edmonton Oilers NHL 40 12 20 — 7 1114 100 2 2.65 .910 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 Edmonton Oilers NHL 12 4 6 — 1 684 29 1 2.54 .923 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 4 1 0 — 1 168 14 0 5.00 .811 — — — — — — — —
NHL totals 799 333 334 58 39 45,607 2,071 46 2.72 .907 72 39 31 4,345 174 6 2.40 .917

International[edit]

Year Team Event GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1992 CIS WJC 6 6 0 0 289 7 2 1.45 .907
1993 Russia WJC 6 2 3 1 340 15 1 2.65 .917
1996 Russia WCH 2 0 2 0 100 10 0 6.00 .825
2002 Russia OG 6 3 2 1 359 14 1 2.34 .930
Junior totals 12 8 3 1 629 22 3 2.10 —
Senior totals 8 3 4 1 459 24 1 3.14 .904

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ or "Khabi". Nikolai Khabibulin (1994–present)
  2. ^ a b c d "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Nikolai Khabibulin".
  3. ^ "Khabibulin sharp as World All-Stars rally for win". USA Today. February 2, 2002.
  4. ^ "Vote deadline may have cost Khabibulin the MVP award". CNN.
  5. ^ "Khabibulin redefines reputation". St. Petersberg Times. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  6. ^ Diamos, Jason (August 6, 2005). "With Playoffs in Mind, Chicago Signs Khabibulin". New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  7. ^ a b "Blackhawks' Khabibulin clears waivers". CBC. September 30, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  8. ^ Allen, Kevin (July 1, 2008). "Campbell, Huet heading for Chicago". USA Today. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  9. ^ "Report:Khabibulin in Sens-Kings-Hawks swap". Sporting News. Retrieved September 19, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ Ziehm, Len (May 20, 2009). "Wings win 3–2 in OT, put Hawks in 2-hole". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 23, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  11. ^ "Khabibulin out, Havlat in for Game 4". Miami Herald. May 24, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.[dead link]
  12. ^ "OILERS GET THEIR NO. 1 GOALIE IN KHABIBULIN". TSN. July 1, 2009. Archived from the original on July 4, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  13. ^ "Moss scores second goal with 48.7 seconds left on Khabibulin's misplayed puck". Associated Press. October 3, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  14. ^ "Edmonton Oilers Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to have back surgery". Associated Press. January 13, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
  15. ^ "Blackhawks agree to terms with goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin". Chicago Blackhawks. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  16. ^ "Nikolai Khabibulin NHL Salary Contract History". CapGeek. Archived from the original on July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  17. ^ "What Should the Chicago Blackhawks Expect from Nikolai Khabibulin This Season?". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  18. ^ Chris Kuc [@ChrisKuc] (November 17, 2013). "After that 11-hour travel day from Nashville to Chicago, I can tell you #Blackhawks put Khabibulin on IR and Hossa not playing vs. Sharks" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Blackhawks, Chicago (November 17, 2013). "Blackhawks recall goaltender Antti Raanta from Rockford". Chicago Blackhawks. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  20. ^ Halford, Mike (November 13, 2015). "Nikolai Khabibulin calls it a career". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  21. ^ "Former Oilers goalie Khabibulin returning to pro hockey at age 50 | Offside". dailyhive.com. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  22. ^ Brooks, Carter (January 1, 2024). "50-Year-Old Nikolai Khabibulin Signs in KHL". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Goalie gets his vintage gold". Seattle Times. February 16, 2002. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  24. ^ "Oilers' Khabibulin accused of drunk driving". CBC News. February 17, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
  25. ^ "Oilers' Khabibulin DUI case put over". Toronto Sun. July 7, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  26. ^ "Former Coyote Khabibulin receives minimum sentence for DUI". AZ Vibe. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  27. ^ "Life after Tent City; Nikolai Khabibulin looks forward to proving doubters wrong". September 14, 2011.
  28. ^ "Garber: Azarenka owes plenty to Blackhawks goaltender". April 3, 2009.
  29. ^ "NHL: Edmonton 3, Montreal 1".

External links[edit]

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