Bobrovsky had Swedish artist David Gunnarsson paint a red and white brick wall on his goalie mask because, like the wall, Bobrovsky considers himself to be a virtually impenetrable force in front of his own net.
Who's to argue?
The winner of the Vezina Trophy, given to the NHL's top goaltender, in 2013 and 2017, Bobrovsky was the first goalie in Blue Jackets history to record 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 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) and once stopped a team-record 52 shots 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 wound up spending the next four seasons in Siberia honing his craft with Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Kontinental Hockey League.
By 2010, the Philadelphia Flyers decided to take a chance on Bobrovsky and signed the native of Novokuznetsk, Russia, to a three-year, entry-level contract. 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 plugged him in as their starter for what proved to be a 3-2 season-opening win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 7, 2010.
At the time, Bobrovsky, at 22 years, 17 days, became the youngest goaltender to start a season-opening game for the Flyers, surpassing Ron Hextall, who did so at 22 years, 159 days in 1986.
Bobrovsky won 28 games, had a 2.59 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and finished seventh in the Calder Trophy balloting for 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 Columbus Blue Jackets on June 22, 2012.
It was yet another move that paid immediate dividends. Bobrovsky earned a berth in the 2012-13 All-Star Game, won the Vezina Trophy and finished fifth in the voting for the Hart Trophy.
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 extension on Jan. 9, 2015.
He led the League in 2016-17 with a 2.06 goals-against average and .931 save percentage, winning the Vezina for the second time.
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.
