Evgeni Nabokov was a shot-in-the-dark draft pick, selected 219th overall in the ninth round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. It was the San Jose Sharks that gave him a chance, and that’s the club he retired as a member of Wednesday after making the official announcement in San Jose. Nabokov was traded to the Sharks from the Tampa Bay Lightning for future considerations so he could end his career where it began.
Nabokov built a strong career over 14 seasons in the NHL, beating long odds to make it and longer ones to excel.
He spent 10 years with the Sharks, appearing in a club-record 563 games. He racked up 293 wins, also a club record, to go along with a .912 save percentage and 2.39 goals-against average and franchise-best 50 shutouts in teal.
He won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2000-01. Nabokov was also a first-team NHL All-Star in 2007-08 and finished second in Vezina Trophy voting that season. He was twice elected to the NHL All-Star Game as well.
Nabokov eventually landed with the New York Islanders in 2011-12 after a year playing in the KHL. He spent three seasons on Long Island before signing with Tampa Bay, where he served as a backup to Ben Bishop this season. Nabokov made just 11 appearances for the Lightning before he was eventually placed him on waivers. After the longtime NHLer cleared, the Lightning worked out a deal to return him home to the Sharks.
Born in Kazakhstan, Nabokov represented Russia internationally and competed at the Winter Olympics in 2006 and 2010. He also backstopped Russia to the gold medal at the 2008 IIHF World Championship.
The 39-year-old netminder finishes his NHL career with 697 appearances, 353 wins, .911 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average and 59 shutouts.
