The Russian netminder Andrey Vasilevsky, who plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning, has once again been recognized as the league’s top goalkeeper. The honor came from a survey conducted by the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), reflecting widespread respect from players across the league.
A total of 626 NHL players participated in the poll, and 52.3 percent of respondents were Russian. Vasilevsky’s triumph marks his third consecutive win in this specific ranking, underscoring his consistent excellence between the pipes and his impact on his team’s success year after year.
In second place, the vote went to Igor Shesterkin, the Russian goalie who guards the net for the New York Rangers. He garnered 4.8 percent of the votes in this year’s survey, a testament to his strong play and the confidence coaches and teammates place in him. Rounding out the top three was Marc-Andre Fleury from the Minnesota Wild, who finished just behind Shesterkin and continued to demonstrate elite performance during the season.
Beyond the goalie rankings, the poll also highlighted standout performers among forwards. Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning were both noted for their top-tier play, appearing among the league’s most valuable players in the eyes of their peers. In the voting for the best passers, Kucherov placed third with 10.5 percent of the votes, while Panarin followed closely in fourth with 7.8 percent. These results illustrate the high regard in which these players are held by fellow NHL stars and reinforce their roles as offensive catalysts for their teams.
Taken together, the survey reflects a season characterized by standout goaltending and high-caliber offensive talent from Russia, contributing to the broader narrative of national-level excellence in North American hockey. The continued presence of Russian players in the top echelons of these awards underscores the deep talent pool that has strengthened several franchises across the league and adds to the competitive drama that fans have come to expect from the sport.