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Sergei Bobrovsky
BobApril25.jpg
Bobrovsky with the Florida Panthers in 2025
Born (1988-09-20) 20 September 1988 (age 36)
Novokuznetsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 182 lb (83 kg; 13 st 0 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team
Former teams
Florida Panthers
Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Philadelphia Flyers
SKA Saint Petersburg
Columbus Blue Jackets
National team Flag of Russia.svg Russia
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2006–present

Sergei Andreyevich Bobrovsky (born September 20, 1988) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender. He plays for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Fans and teammates often call him "Bob."

Bobrovsky is known as one of the best goalies in the NHL. He has won the Vezina Trophy twice, an award given to the league's top goaltender. He won this award in 2013 and 2017 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 2023, he set a record for the most wins by a Russian goalie in NHL history. He also helped the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2024 and 2025.

Playing Career

Starting in the NHL

Sergei Brobovsky 2010-10-30
Bobrovsky with the Philadelphia Flyers in October 2010. The Flyers signed him to a three-year contract earlier that year.

Unlike many NHL players, Bobrovsky was never chosen in the NHL Entry Draft. He started his career in Russia with the team Metallurg Novokuznetsk. In 2010, the Philadelphia Flyers signed him to a three-year contract.

He surprised everyone by earning a spot on the main team right away. On October 7, 2010, he played his first NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He helped the Flyers win 3–2 and was named the best player of the game. At 22, he became the youngest goalie in Flyers history to win a season-opening game.

During his first season, he had a strong record of 28 wins. However, after a tough time in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Flyers signed a new starting goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov. This meant Bobrovsky became the backup goalie for the next season.

Columbus Blue Jackets (2012–2019)

Sergei Bobrovsky 2012-12-19
Bobrovsky in December 2012. He played in Russia during the 2012–13 NHL lockout.

On June 22, 2012, the Flyers traded Bobrovsky to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In Columbus, he quickly became the starting goalie. He had an amazing season, with a 2.00 goals against average (GAA) and a .932 save percentage. For his incredible performance, he won his first Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender.

Bobrovsky continued to be a star player for the Blue Jackets. In the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, he helped the team win their first-ever playoff game. Over the next few years, he set many team records.

Winning a Second Vezina Trophy

Sergei Bobrovsky (11891679324)
Bobrovsky with the Columbus Blue Jackets in January 2014.

The 2016–17 season was one of his best. Bobrovsky won 41 games, a record for the Blue Jackets. He led the league in both GAA (2.06) and save percentage (.931). These amazing stats earned him his second Vezina Trophy.

In 2019, he led the Blue Jackets to a historic playoff victory. They played against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who were the best team in the regular season. The Blue Jackets shocked the hockey world by winning the series in four straight games. It was the first time the team had ever won a playoff series.

Florida Panthers (2019–present)

On July 1, 2019, Bobrovsky signed a big seven-year, $70 million contract with the Florida Panthers. His first couple of seasons with the Panthers were challenging. He and the team struggled to find success in the playoffs.

However, things began to change. In the 2021–22 NHL season, Bobrovsky led the league with 39 wins. The Panthers won the Presidents' Trophy for having the best record in the regular season. They also won their first playoff series since 1996.

Journey to the Stanley Cup Finals

The 2022–23 NHL season started slowly for Bobrovsky. But he found his form just in time for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Panthers were the last team to qualify for the playoffs. They had to face the Boston Bruins, the best team in the league.

Bobrovsky played outstandingly, and the Panthers upset the Bruins in seven games. They went on to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes. Bobrovsky was a hero, especially against Carolina, where he had a .966 save percentage. The Panthers reached the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals but lost to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Winning the Stanley Cup

Sergei Bobrovsky with the Stanley Cup
Bobrovsky celebrates with the Stanley Cup in June 2024, after the Panthers won the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.

In the 2023–24 NHL season, Bobrovsky was once again a top goalie. He was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy for the third time. In the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, the Panthers faced the Edmonton Oilers. Bobrovsky started the series with a shutout in Game 1. After a long and exciting series, the Panthers won the Stanley Cup in Game 7. It was the first Stanley Cup win in his career.

The next season, on October 24, 2024, Bobrovsky earned his 400th career win. He became the fastest goalie in NHL history to reach this milestone.

International Play

Sergei Bobrovsky 2016.JPG
Bobrovsky with the Russia national men's ice hockey team during the 2016 IIHF World Championship
Medal record
Representing Russia Russia
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold 2014 Belarus
Silver 2015 Czech Republic
Bronze 2016 Russia
World Junior Championships
Bronze 2008 Czech Republic

Bobrovsky has often played for the Russian national team in international tournaments. He helped the junior team win a bronze medal at the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

He played for Russia at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Later that year, he was the starting goalie at the 2014 IIHF World Championship. He led Russia to a gold medal, winning the final game against Finland 5–2. He was named the best goaltender of the tournament.

He also won a silver medal at the 2015 World Championship and a bronze medal in 2016.

Personal Life

Bobrovsky married his wife, Olga Dorokova, on August 16, 2011. He is known for his charity work. In 2020, he gave $100,000 to help part-time arena workers who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards and Records

Сергей Бобровский в Кремле 2014
Bobrovsky receiving the Order of Honour at the Kremlin, May 2014

Bobrovsky has won many awards for his skill and hard work.

NHL Awards

International Awards

Records

  • Tied for most consecutive wins in an NHL regular season (14 wins).
  • Holds several records for the Columbus Blue Jackets, including most wins in a season (41).
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