Andrei Vasilevskiy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy with the Tampa Bay Lightning in May 2018
Born	(1994-07-25) 25 July 1994 (age 31) Tyumen, Russia
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team Former teams	Tampa Bay Lightning Salavat Yulaev Ufa
National team	Russia
NHL Draft	19th overall, 2012 Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career	2010–present

Andrei Andreyevich Vasilevskiy (born July 25, 1994) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). Many people think he is one of the best goalies in the NHL today, and maybe even one of the best in the history of the league. He was picked by the Lightning in the 2012 NHL entry draft.

Vasilevskiy has the nicknames "Big Cat" and "Vasy." In the 2018–19 season, he won the Vezina Trophy, which is given to the NHL's best goaltender. He also led the league in wins for five seasons in a row (from 2017 to 2022). Vasilevskiy helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup championship two years in a row, in 2020 and 2021. In 2021, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs.

Hockey Career

Junior Hockey

Before playing in the NHL, Vasilevskiy played junior hockey in Russia. He was picked by a Russian team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, in the 2011 KHL Junior Draft.

In 2012, the Tampa Bay Lightning chose him in the 2012 NHL entry draft. Two years later, on May 6, 2014, he signed a three-year contract with the Lightning to play in North America.

Professional Career

First Years in Tampa (2014–2016)

Vasilevskiy started his professional career with the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning's top minor league team in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played so well that he was named the AHL's Player of the Week and Goaltender of the Month in December 2014.

Vasilevskiy with the Lightning in December 2014

On December 16, 2014, Vasilevskiy was called up to the Lightning and played his first NHL game. His team won 3–1 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He was the first goalie in NHL history to wear the number 88. On March 3, 2015, he got his first NHL shutout (a game where he let in no goals) against the Buffalo Sabres.

During the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals, he had to replace the starting goalie, Ben Bishop, during a game. He helped the team win that game, becoming the first goalie in 24 years to get a playoff win after coming in as a replacement. The Lightning lost the championship to the Chicago Blackhawks.

In September 2015, Vasilevskiy had surgery to remove a blood clot near his collarbone. He recovered and was back on the ice in about two months. He returned to the NHL on November 1, 2015, helping the Lightning win against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Becoming a Star (2016–present)

On July 1, 2016, Vasilevskiy signed a new three-year contract with the Lightning. During the 2016–17 season, he became the team's main starting goalie.

In the 2017–18 season, Vasilevskiy had an amazing year. He won 9 games in a row, a record for a Lightning goalie. He was chosen for his first NHL All-Star Game. He finished the season with 44 wins and 8 shutouts, both new records for the Lightning. For his great performance, he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy.

After an injury in late 2018, Vasilevskiy returned and continued to play well. He was named to the 2019 All-Star Game. That season, he set a Lightning record for the most saves in a single game with 54. At the 2019 NHL Awards, he won the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goalie.

On July 29, 2019, Vasilevskiy signed a big eight-year contract to stay with the Lightning. In the 2020 playoffs, he led the team to a Stanley Cup victory. He set an NHL record for the most wins by a goalie in a single postseason with 18.

The next season, 2020–21, was just as successful. Vasilevskiy and the Lightning won the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. He famously recorded a shutout in every series-clinching game.

In the 2022 playoffs, he set an NHL record with his sixth series-clinching shutout. The Lightning made it to the Stanley Cup Finals for a third straight year but lost to the Colorado Avalanche.

Vasilevskiy had back surgery in September 2023 and missed the first two months of the 2023–24 season. He returned on November 24, 2023, and helped the Lightning beat the Carolina Hurricanes 8–2.

On November 14, 2024, Vasilevskiy got his 300th career NHL win, becoming the 40th goalie in NHL history to do so. He finished the 2024–25 season with 38 wins and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy for the fifth time.

International Play

Vasilevskiy has also played for his home country, Russia, in many international tournaments. He has won several medals with the Russian national team.

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Russia
World Championships
Gold	2014 Belarus
Bronze	2017 Germany/France
Bronze	2019 Slovakia
World Junior Championships
Silver	2012 Canada
Bronze	2013 Russia
Bronze	2014 Sweden
World U18 Championships
Bronze	2011 Germany

In 2014, he helped Russia win the IIHF World Championship. For this achievement, he was given the Order of Honour, a special award in Russia. He was also named the best goaltender at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.

Personal Life

Vasilevskiy's father, Andrei Vasilevski, was also a professional hockey goalie in Russia.

Vasilevskiy is married and has a son. He enjoys spending his free time with his family. He even has his wife's and son's names painted on his goalie mask.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Awards and Records

NHL and Team Records

• Most wins in a single playoff year (NHL record) – 18 (2020)
• Most series-clinching shutouts in NHL history – 6
• Most wins by a Lightning goalie – 314
• Most shutouts by a Lightning goalie – 37
• Most games played by a Lightning goalie – 515
• Most saves in a game by a Lightning goalie – 54