Nikolai Khabibulin

Nikolai Ivanovich Chabibulin (Russian Николай Иванович Хабибулин; born January 13, 1973 in Sverdlovsk, Russian SFSR ) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender. Since July 2013 he is for the Chicago Black Hawks in the National Hockey League contract.

2.1 International

Career

Chabibulin selected at the NHL Entry Draft in 1992 in the ninth round in a total of 204 position of the Winnipeg Jets. He previously played for the Russian club CSKA Moscow HK. 1996 to 1999 he was in goal for Phoenix Coyotes. After contract disputes with his club he played in the 1999/2000 season forced the IHL Club Long Beach Ice Dogs. This season, he was awarded the James Gatschene Memorial Trophy as the best player in the league. After the negotiations for a contract extension with the Phoenix Coyotes had failed, Chabibulin was delivered in a swap deal to the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 5, 2001. With this team he won the first Russian goalie ever in the 2003/04 season the Stanley Cup. He is number one Gegentorschnitt lowest in the history of Lightnings and was able to record five shutouts in the play- offs.

The lockout of the 2004/2005 season he spent with the Russian club Ak Bars Kazan, with whom he could reach the play-offs. There he shared the position with goalkeeper Fred Brathwaite. He persuaded by a low Gegentorschnitt of 1.65. As a free agent Chabibulin returned 2005/ 06 back in the NHL to take over the position as goalkeeper for the Chicago Black Hawks. This season Chabibulin was able to complete his 500th NHL game. However, he had to experience some games this season after groin and knee injuries as a spectator. In the season 2006/ 07 he was the number one in front of his substitute Patrick Lalime. After his contract was not renewed at the Blackhawks, he signed on 1 July 2009 as a free agent with the Edmonton Oilers.

In July 2013 he signed a one year contract worth a total of two million U.S. dollars for the Chicago Black Hawks.