Nikolai Khabibulin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nikolai Khabibulin
Khabibulin with the Edmonton Oilers in October 2009
Born	(1973-01-13) January 13, 1973 (age 52) Sverdlovsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	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	1994–2014

Nikolai Alexandrovich Khabibulin (born January 13, 1973) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender. He was known by his nickname "The Bulin Wall". Nikolai played most of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL). His teams included the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Edmonton Oilers.

Khabibulin was very good in international games. He won two Olympic medals for his country. He earned a gold medal and a bronze medal. He was also named the Best Goaltender at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He was the first Russian goaltender to win the Stanley Cup. He achieved this with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004. He was also the only Russian goalie to start in the Stanley Cup Finals until 2020. Nikolai was also chosen as an NHL All-Star four times.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting with the Jets and Coyotes (1994–1999)

Nikolai Khabibulin was picked by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1992 NHL Draft. He started playing in the NHL in January 1995. In 1996, his team moved to Phoenix, Arizona. They became known as the Phoenix Coyotes.

During his five years with the Jets and Coyotes, he played many games. He started at least 60 games in three seasons. This was a lot of work for a goalie. Even though the team made the playoffs each year, they often lost in the first round. Some people thought Khabibulin might have been tired from playing so much.

After the 1998–99 season, Khabibulin had a disagreement about his contract. He did not play for the Coyotes for a whole season. Instead, he played for the Long Beach Ice Dogs in another league. He was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) that year.

Winning the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay (2001–2004)

In March 2001, Khabibulin was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He quickly signed a new contract with them. By the next season, he was playing like a top goalie again. At the 2002 NHL All-Star Game, he played perfectly in the third period. He stopped 20 shots, helping his team win. Many players thought he should have been named the MVP.

Khabibulin helped lead the Lightning back to the playoffs in 2003. This was their first playoff appearance since 1996. Then, in 2004, he helped them win the Stanley Cup. This was the first time in the team's history. Khabibulin had five shutouts in 23 playoff games. A shutout means the goalie stops every shot and doesn't let the other team score. He even had three shutouts in one playoff round. This tied an NHL record. Unlike his time in Phoenix, he could get more rest when needed. This was because his backup goalie, John Grahame, was also very skilled.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, many Russian players went back home. Khabibulin played for Ak Bars Kazan in Russia during this time.

Time with the Chicago Blackhawks (2005–2009)

When NHL play started again, Khabibulin became a free agent. The Chicago Blackhawks signed him to a big contract. He became the highest-paid goalie in the league. However, he faced some injuries and played inconsistently in Chicago. In his first season, his goals against average (GAA) was high. This meant he let in more goals per game.

In 2008, the Blackhawks signed another goalie, Cristobal Huet. Many thought Khabibulin would be traded. But he stayed with the team for the whole season. He played in 42 games. By the 2009 playoffs, he was the starting goalie again. Khabibulin and the Blackhawks won two playoff series. They then played against the Detroit Red Wings. Khabibulin got injured in the third game of that series. He missed the rest of the playoffs because of this injury.

Playing for the Edmonton Oilers (2009–2013)

On July 1, 2009, Khabibulin signed a contract with the Edmonton Oilers. He became their new starting goalie. His first game with the Oilers was a bit rough. He made a mistake that led to the other team scoring the winning goal.

In January 2010, Khabibulin had surgery on his back. He missed the rest of that season. He started the 2010–11 season strong. He stopped 37 shots in a shutout win. But injuries continued to limit his playing time.

In October of the 2011–12 season, Khabibulin played very well. He had a great record and a low GAA. He was named the Third Star of the Month. However, his play dropped off later in the season. In the 2012–13 season, his backup, Devan Dubnyk, became the team's main goalie. This was Khabibulin's first season as a backup.

Returning to Chicago (2013–2014)

On July 5, 2013, Khabibulin signed a one-year contract to play for the Blackhawks again. This was his second time with the team. He was the backup goalie to Corey Crawford.

Khabibulin got injured in November 2013. He never played another NHL game after this hip injury. He announced his retirement from playing hockey in November 2015. He has shown interest in working in hockey management.

Coaching and Brief Return to Play (2023–2024)

After retiring as a player, Khabibulin became a goaltender coach. He coached for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). On December 27, 2023, he decided to un-retire and became a goalie for Torpedo at age 50. He trained with the team but did not play in any official games.

International Hockey Achievements

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

Khabibulin first played internationally in 1991. He played for the Soviet Union at the European Junior Championships. The next year, he won a gold medal at the 1992 World Junior Championships. His team started as the Soviet Union. But the country changed during the tournament. So, they finished playing as the CIS.

In the same year, Khabibulin was part of the 1992 Winter Olympics team. He was the third goalie for the CIS. He is the last active player from Russia to win an Olympic gold medal in hockey. There was a small issue after the CIS won the gold medal. The coach kept a medal for himself. Coaches do not usually get medals in Olympic hockey. Khabibulin had not played in any games. This might be why he did not play for the Russian team in some later tournaments.

At the 2002 Winter Olympics, Khabibulin became the main goalie for Russia. He helped Russia win a bronze medal. He played in all six games. He was also named the Best Goaltender of the tournament. At these Olympics, Khabibulin finally received his 1992 Olympic gold medal. It was given to him in a private ceremony.

After his second season with the Winnipeg Jets, Khabibulin played for Russia in the 1996 World Cup. He played in two games. Khabibulin was called to play in the 2006 Winter Olympics. But he missed the tournament due to an injury.

Personal Life

Nikolai Khabibulin helped tennis star Victoria Azarenka when she moved to Arizona. His wife was friends with Azarenka's mother. They decided to help her get settled. Khabibulin's daughter, Sasha, is married to former NHL player Robert Nilsson.

Awards and Achievements

NHL

• Played in the NHL All-Star Game — 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003
• 2004 NHL Stanley Cup champion — Tampa Bay Lightning
• 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)
• Tied NHL record for most Shutouts in a Playoff Round — (3)
• 2011–12 season — Lowest GAA through the first nine games of a season since the NHL expansion (1967–68 season) (0.98)

International

• 1992 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Gold Medal
• 2002 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Bronze Medal
• 2002 Winter Olympics (Ice Hockey) – Best Goaltender Award (Directorate)

Other

• Won the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy (IHL) MVP) in 2000.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Images for kids

• 

  Khabibulin, #39, with the Blackhawks in 2008

• 

  Khabibulin with the Oilers in 2009

See Also

• List of NHL goaltenders with 300 wins