Bobrovsky Finding Ways to Give Back, Stay Prepared During Quarantine

As someone who stops pucks for a living, Sergei Bobrovsky knows the importance of protection.
So in continuation of his charitable efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Florida Panthers goaltender is now helping provide local first responders with the best equipment possible in their ongoing battle against a virus that has put the world of sports -- and world at large -- on pause.

Teaming up with New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin and New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov -- friends and fellow Russians who made similar donations in the Big Apple -- Bobrovsky recently donated thousands of invaluable N95 masks to hospitals in South Florida.
According to the Centers for Disease Control's official website, these masks are the best on the market as they succeed in filtering out more than 95 percent of particles, which in turn "reduces the mask wearer's exposure to airborne particles, from small particle aerosols to large droplets."
Bobrovsky added that he is working with the Florida Panthers Foundation on these initiatives.
"We wanted to make sure the first responders have the right masks," Bobrovsky said during a conference call with the local and national media on Tuesday. "Those masks are N95s, and they're high-quality masks. So it's good to support those people with high-quality masks."
This latest act of generosity comes only a few weeks after Bobrovsky donated $100,000 to aid BB&T Center part-time employees during this difficult time. Following that lead, his teammates pledged to match that large donation, with Panthers ownership also providing financial support.
Bobrovsky said the decision to assist the arena's workers was an easy one.
"The workers in the arena, they're a big part of our event, and they're a big part of our support, and there was the risk for them to lose their job and don't have the possibility to feed their family," he said. "It's a tough time for everybody, for the whole world and for hockey as well."
In addition to improving the world around him, Bobrovsky has also been improving himself.
After missing Florida's last four games while recovering from a lower-body injury, the 31-year-old veteran said he was already close to returning before the NHL's sudden hiatus. Since then, he's managed to stay in shape and continue training under quarantine thanks to his home gym.
When asked about his day-to-day routine, he said he usually fits in two workouts -- one before lunch and the second before dinner -- while also spending some time outside and in the pool. And when he finally settles in for the night, his wife picks a movie for the two of them to watch.
"I had the time to organize the gym during the season," said Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy Winner (2013, 2017) who joined the Cats on a seven-year contract this past summer. "So, I would say that I have a good gym. I have all the equipment needed to be in shape."
But for a goaltender, being in peak physical shape is only part of staying prepared. Of the challenges he's currently facing in keeping himself in ready to go for whenever hockey resumes, Bobrovsky said his solitary regime simply can't replicate the act of stopping a shot.
"For the goalie, it's a little bit harder to train," he lamented. "You need someone to shoot at you. You need to see the puck, to read the players and stuff like that. But, at this moment, I don't have that possibility. So, I can only build my body to be strong, to be fast and to be quick."
As for new hobbies, Bobrovsky said he's been getting in quite a bit of practice with a new stick.
Well, actually, it's more like a broom.
"I have a little bit more time to clean the house, do the little things," he said with a chuckle. "It's something I didn't have time to do during the season. That's what I'd consider a new hobby."
When things eventually start to get back to normal, Bobrovsky hopes that the Cats will be able to resume their playoff push. After all, they currently sit just three points behind Toronto for third place in the Atlantic Division and had looked great while winning two straight before the pause.
With 13 games left on their schedule, Florida is also within three points of a wild card spot.
If given the chance, Bobrovsky believes they have what it takes to make things interesting.
"It's all in our hands," Bobrovsky said. "The most important thing, it's team success, and we have the possibility to get into the playoffs, and that's the really important thing for me as well." .