As a Russian goalkeeper was the best in the world. In Vasilevsky's life – family and hockey only – NHL news – Hockey

Throughout the history of the awarding of the "Vezin Trophy", Andrei Vasilevsky has only become the second Russian goalkeeper, to whom such a prize has been awarded. Twice before, he was received by Sergey Bobrovsky. Neither Evgeni Nabokov, nor Semyon Varlamov, nor Ilya Bryzgalov have ever been recognized as the strongest in the NHL. Tampa's goalie is only 24 years old. To doubt that it was Andrei who won before the ceremony was with no one. His advantage over his competitors was almost as overwhelming as that of Kucherov. 28 out of 31 general managers voted for Vasilevsky.

The second in the vote was Ben Bishop and the third – Robin Lehner. The Dallas goalkeeper has long known Vasilevsky, they have been playing together for Lightning for three years. Ben calls Andrew "my youngest brother". Vasilevsky responded by saying, "He is my teacher." To which Bishop, laughing, confesses: "I guess I revealed some important secrets to him."

"Many adults would crowd out the kids and everything in between," Franz Jean, Tampa's guard coach, told The Athletic. – But it was the opposite. Bishop became a mentor for Andrew. When Vasya had difficult evenings, he went to him and said, "Do not worry. Let's go on the ice with Franz and work on it. Ben has heavily influenced it. (L & # 39; Athletic).

And now, the student has pbaded the professor.

A few days before the closing of the transfer slot, in February 2017, Steve Yzerman signed a big deal: he sent his main goalkeeper, Ben Bishop, who ended the contract in Los Angeles. This day, in some degree became decisive for the young goaltender of Ufa.

– It's a big risk, it's a giant leap for Andrei. Vasilevsky has been good this season, but not enough to be able to safely say that Tampa would be back in the Stanley Cup final soon, writes the Tampa Bay Times columnist and now The Athletic Joe Smith.

A year later, Vasilevsky would lead his team to the finals of the Eastern Conference. A year later, will win "Vezin." All of this could be predicted by looking at what the goalkeeper showed at a young age. He made his debut in the KHL for his native Salavat Yulaev at the age of 18 and at age 20 for the Lightning, who selected him as No. 19 in the first round of the repechage. One year later, Andrei won his first victory in playoffs Stanley Cup. This happened on June 6, 2015 in the final with Chicago. Then Vasilevsky replaced the wounded bishop by several matches.

– Vasya was very young when he arrived in the NHL. He could not say two words in English and now fully adapted to America. He is just a good guy and a great talent. And not only did I teach him some things, but he also Something I've invited, – Bishop shares his thoughts (The Athletic).

Vasilevsky could have won the best goalie award last season, but he only became third in the vote. "Vezina" was entrusted to an experienced Pekka Rinne, the second being Winnipeg Connor goalkeeper Hellebike. The current season has shown that Andrei has no competitors. Andrei scored the highest number of wins in the league among goalies (39), shares fourth with the league with Lehner and, in 53 games, he missed an average of 2.40 goals, or 92, 5% of shots. You can make an entire movie from the cuts of his awesome saves – he looks so cool in almost every game. In the team, he is called the big cat. Because of that he has excellent reflexes, like a cat. Vasilevsky – the goalkeeper is able to go out alone from the match. He has nerves of iron, he is always calm on the ice. That makes him the strongest in the league.

At the same time, Andrew, like most goalies, is a difficult person. Closed, non-communicating, sometimes even brutal. In some interviews, he confessed that he was constantly engineering in the awareness of his fate, worrying about every little thing, trying to be objective and strict with himself. Sometimes it seems like a robot is playing on the ice instead of Vasya. Behind it is a hellish job in the long run – Vasilevsky does not work like anyone. In his life, there is only hockey and family, he does not want to be distracted by another. Andrew is one of those who can eat, sleep and breathe hockey. He is the best goaltender in the NHL. And it will be very long.