Evgeni Nabokov: From Back-Up to All-Star in San Jose

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2001

By Lucas Aykroyd

Last year, the less-informed hockey fan might have wondered if his surname was a misspelling of “Nabob Tea.” This year, the whole NHL knows who Evgeni Nabokov is. Combining sharp reflexes with an aggressive challenging style, the San Jose Sharks rookie is bidding to become the 12th goalie to win the Calder Trophy since 1934. A 2-1 win over Los Angeles on 26 December 2000 made him the first goalie to reach the 20-win mark this season. In the last week of January, his 2-0-1 record, 1.30 GAA and .947 save percentage earned him NHL Player of the Week honors. All year long, the 25-year-old from Kazakhstan has hovered near the top of the rankings in every major category for netminders. And with a two-year contract that could max out around $1.25 million US with bonuses, he’s a real bargain. EuroReport’s Lucas Aykroyd caught up with Nabokov recently.

EuroReport: Last year at this time when I spoke with you, you were just happy to have gotten the backup job.

Evgeni Nabokov: [laughs]

EuroReport: This year, you’re an all-star. What happened?

Nabokov: I’ve been working pretty hard for the last three years since I came over, and my goal was to get as soon as possible to the NHL. It took me, like, two and a half years to get here, and I’m really glad to be here now. All I do every game is try to prove to myself that I can play in this league.

EuroReport: How are you enjoying the extra workload this season?

Nabokov: I’m loving every minute of it! I love playing every game, or, every other game. It’s up to the coach. It’s his decision, but I love to play.

EuroReport: Have you made any adjustments to your style?

Nabokov: I think I’ve pretty much been playing the same way I used to play. I did make a couple of adjustments, like how I play the puck.

EuroReport: How would you describe your relationship with fellow Sharks goalie Steve Shields?

Nabokov: Oh, we are great buddies! We have nothing against each other. Just really good buddies.

EuroReport: Tell me about your experiences at your first All-Star Game.

Nabokov: It was awesome! It was a really great honor to be there and be around those guys. And playing in the game, plus the skill competitions, and all that. It was great.

EuroReport: What was your first time playing against Mario Lemieux like?

Nabokov: Oh, it’s just like this guy has four eyes! On the back of his head or something. He can see the ice really well. He’s a tremendous player.

EuroReport: Thoughts on the ruling that you can’t play for Team Russia at the Olympics because you represented Kazazhstan at the 1994 world juniors?

Nabokov: I was a little bit disappointed about it, but there’s nothing I can do about it right. I guess I’m going to enjoy my time off during the Olympics.

EuroReport: Are you interested in representing Kazakhstan internationally?

Nabokov: I don’t know. It’s kind of a long story about it. I don’t think they’re going to be in the Olympics.

EuroReport: What’s the best part about living in the Bay Area?

Nabokov: [laughs] The warm weather!

EuroReport: Not too much like Kamenogorsk, eh?

Nabokov: Nope! But I’m enjoying it.

EuroReport: Looking ahead, what does this Sharks team need to do to have a good playoff run?

Nabokov: I think we have a really good team. We have a chance to go to the finals. We have everything: good forwards, good defensemen. I think we just need a bit more discipline, and hopefully we’ll be successful in the playoffs.