The winner of the Vezina Trophy, given to the top goalie in the NHL, in 2013 and 2017, Bobrovsky was the first goalie in Blue Jackets history to have back-to-back 30-win seasons when he won 32 in 2013-14 and 30 in 2014-15. In 2016-17, he went 41-17-5, setting a Columbus Blue Jackets record for victories, and had seven shutouts.
He also holds Blue Jackets season records for lowest goals-against average (2.00), highest save percentage (.932), each set in 2012-13, and once made a team-record 52 saves during a 4-3 shootout win against the Florida Panthers on Dec. 4, 2014.
The winner of the Vezina Trophy, given to the top goalie in the NHL, in 2013 and 2017, Bobrovsky was the first goalie in Blue Jackets history to have back-to-back 30-win seasons when he won 32 in 2013-14 and 30 in 2014-15. In 2016-17, he went 41-17-5, setting a Columbus Blue Jackets record for victories, and had seven shutouts.
He also holds Blue Jackets season records for lowest goals-against average (2.00), highest save percentage (.932), each set in 2012-13, and once made a team-record 52 saves during a 4-3 shootout win against the Florida Panthers on Dec. 4, 2014.
Not bad for a player who went undrafted during his 2006 draft year and played the next four seasons for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Kontinental Hockey League.
The Philadelphia Flyers signed the native of Novokuznetsk, Russia, to a three-year, entry-level contract May 6, 2010. It was a decision that paid immediate dividends.
When then-starter Michael Leighton was injured during training camp, the Flyers kept Bobrovsky on the roster and he started a 3-2 season-opening win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 7, 2010. At 22 years, 17 days, Bobrovsky became the youngest goalie to start a season-opening game for the Flyers, surpassing Ron Hextall, who did so at 22 years, 159 days on Oct. 9, 1986. He won 28 games, had a 2.59 GAA, .915 save percentage and finished seventh in the Calder Trophy balloting for NHL rookie of the year.
After struggling in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs and eventually losing his starter's job during the 2011-12 season, Bobrovsky was traded to the Blue Jackets on June 22, 2012, another move that paid immediate dividends. Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy and finished fifth in the voting for the Hart Trophy given to the NHL MVP.
Bobrovsky ranked among the top 10 in the NHL in wins, save percentage and shutouts in two of his first three seasons in Columbus. He signed a four-year contract Jan. 9, 2015, led the League in 2016-17 with a 2.06 GAA and .931 save percentage, and won the Vezina for the second time.
Bobrovsky signed a seven-year contract with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2019.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- NHL First All-Star Team (2013, 2017)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (2017)
- Signed as a free agent by Philadelphia, May 6, 2010.
- Traded to Columbus by Philadelphia for Ottawa's 2nd round pick (previously acquired, Philadelphia selected Anthony Stolarz) in 2012 NHL Draft, Vancouver's 4th round pick (previously acquired, Philadelphia selected Taylor Leier) in 2012 NHL Draft and Phoenix's 4th round pick (previously acquired, later traded to Los Angeles - Los Angeles selected Justin Auger) in 2013 NHL Draft, June 22, 2012.
- Signed as a free agent by St. Petersburg (KHL), September 21, 2012.
- Signed as a free agent by Florida, July 1, 2019.