Igor Shesterkin, the New York Rangers’ standout netminder from Russia, carved his name into a prestigious club by becoming the sole Russian to earn a place among the elite performers of the 2021/2022 season.
Joining him on the list of top players were high-profile names from across the league: Roman Yosi of the Nashville Predators, a Swiss defender; Cale Makar, a Canadian blueliner with the Colorado Avalanche; Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, representing the United States; and Johnny Gaudreau, a forward for the Calgary Flames who also hails from the U.S. hockey scene.
That season, Shesterkin helped the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup playoffs’ semifinals, where their bid ended after a six-game series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His performance was a defining factor in New York’s deep run, underscoring his role as a top-tier NHL goaltender.
During the 2021/22 regular season, Shesterkin appeared in 53 games, posting six shutouts and stopping 93.5 percent of shots faced. These numbers underscored his consistency and impact between the pipes, contributing to the Rangers’ competitive caliber throughout the campaign.
This season marked not only a personal milestone but also continued recognition of Russian talent at the highest levels of the sport. Shesterkin’s achievements earned him the league’s Best Goaltender honor for the 2021/22 season, reinforcing his status among hockey’s elite keepers.
Prior to Shesterkin’s ascent, only two Russian goalkeepers had captured the Vezina Trophy, an award given to the NHL’s premier goaltender. Sergei Bobrovsky and Andrey Vasilevsky each left their mark, with Vasilevsky claiming the honor twice, highlighting the storied history of Russian excellence in netminding.
In reflection on the year, Shesterkin herself remarked that watching the Stanley Cup Final from the sidelines was a difficult experience, underscoring the emotional journey that comes with competing at the sport’s highest level. The season’s narrative speaks to perseverance, skill, and the enduring pursuit of excellence that defines top-tier hockey for players across North America and beyond (citation: NHL).