Evgeni Nabokov

Evgeni Nabokov is a Kazakh-born Russian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 15 seasons in the NHL, primarily with the San Jose Sharks. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2001 and remains the Sharks' all-time leader in goaltender games played, wins, and shutouts. Known for his positional soundness and durability, Nabokov also scored a goal in 2002, becoming only the seventh NHL goaltender to do so and the first born outside North America.

After retiring in 2015, Nabokov transitioned into coaching, and as of 2026 he serves as the Director of Goaltending for the San Jose Sharks. His son, Ilya Nabokov, is a goaltending prospect drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2024, continuing the family's hockey legacy. Nabokov's international career included representing Kazakhstan early on and later Russia, with whom he won a gold medal at the 2008 World Championships. [edit]

Evgeni Nabokov was born on July 25, 1975, in Oskemen (then Ust-Kamenogorsk), a city in eastern Kazakhstan that was part of the Soviet Union. The region has a strong hockey tradition, and Nabokov began his professional career at age 16 with Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk in the Russian Super League in 1991. He spent three seasons there, honing his skills before moving to Dynamo Moscow in 1994.

During his time with Dynamo Moscow, Nabokov continued to develop as a goaltender, but it was his play with Metallurg Magnitogorsk from 1997 to 1999 that caught the attention of NHL scouts. In the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, he was selected in the ninth round, 219th overall, by the San Jose Sharks, a remarkably late pick for a player who would become a franchise cornerstone. Before making the jump to North America, Nabokov established himself as one of the top netminders in the Russian leagues, setting the stage for his eventual NHL debut in the 1999–2000 season. [edit]

Nabokov made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks in the 1999–2000 season, splitting time between the NHL and the AHL. The following year, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie, posting a 32–21–7 record with a 2.19 goals-against average. He quickly became the Sharks' number-one goaltender, setting franchise records for games played (563), wins (293), and shutouts (50) during his tenure.

In 2002, Nabokov achieved a rare feat by scoring an empty-net goal against the Vancouver Canucks, becoming just the seventh NHL goaltender to score and the first born outside North America. He was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2008, the same year he won a gold medal with Russia at the World Championships. After a contract dispute with the Sharks in 2010, he played briefly with SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL before being claimed off waivers by the New York Islanders in 2011. He finished his NHL career with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2014–15, retiring with 353 regular-season wins, which ranked 18th all-time at the time. [edit]

Nabokov was known for his calm, technically sound style in goal, relying on positioning rather than flashy saves. He was a durable and consistent presence, appearing in at least 50 games in seven different seasons for the Sharks. Media and fans alike regard him as one of the most underrated goaltenders of his era, and he holds a special place in Sharks history as the franchise's greatest netminder. As a coach, he is described as patient and development-focused, working closely with young goaltenders in the Sharks system. [edit]

Evgeni Nabokov commands a devoted following within the San Jose Sharks community, where his tenure is celebrated through enduring traditions like the "Nab-by, Nab-by" chants that still echo in the arena. Despite this deep local reverence, his fanbase has no formal name or organized global campaigns; instead, support remains concentrated among Islanders and Sharks alumni who view him as a singular franchise icon rather than a member of a distinct subculture. His legacy is defined by statistical dominance and the narrative of a late-round draft pick ascending to become the face of an organization. This stature places him prominently within the historical record of the sport, a status quantified by contemporary measurements of global attention. According to the latest data from the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Evgeni Nabokov is currently the 45th most famous person in Ice Hockey, a position he has held steady across recent cycles. This ranking reflects his sustained visibility in media coverage and cultural consumption signals worldwide. While his fame is niche compared to global pop culture figures, it remains robust within his specific domain, cementing his reputation as one of the most recognizable netminders of his generation.[edit]

Born in Kazakhstan, Nabokov represented two different nations internationally, playing for both Kazakhstan and Russia on the world stage. He was selected 219th overall in the 1994 NHL Draft, making him one of the lowest picks ever to win the Calder Memorial Trophy. During the 2004–05 lockout, he competed for SKA Saint Petersburg in the Russian Super League. His son, Ilya, born in 2001, followed his father into goaltending. Fans often refer to him by the nickname "Nabby," a moniker widely adopted by teammates and supporters alike. A defining legend of his career involves his journey from a late-round selection to becoming the all-time leader in games played, wins, and shutouts for the San Jose Sharks. In January 2026, a significant historical marker occurred when Andrei Vasilevskiy surpassed Nabokov for a spot in NHL history, cementing Nabokov's place among the all-time greats before being eclipsed. The story of his resilience is further highlighted by his 2005 waiver claim by the New York Islanders, an event now viewed as a pivotal moment that revitalized his career after leaving San Jose.[edit]

Nabokov is married, though his wife's name is not widely publicized. He has one son, Ilya Nabokov, born in 2001, who is a professional goaltender. Ilya was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2024 and is considered one of the top goaltending prospects in the NHL. The family has a strong hockey pedigree, with Evgeni's coaching career and Ilya's playing career often discussed together in hockey media. [edit]

Nabokov is the father of Ilya Nabokov, a goaltending prospect with the Colorado Avalanche. He is also a longtime friend of Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who passed him for an NHL milestone in January 2026. Former Islanders GM Garth Snow claimed Nabokov off waivers in 2011, a move that sparked controversy. [edit]

Nabokov has kept his personal life private. He is married, but his wife's name and the date of their marriage are not publicly documented. The couple has one son, Ilya, born in 2001. There are no records of any previous marriages or high-profile relationships. As of 2026, Nabokov remains married, with no reports of separation or divorce. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Evgeni Nabokov's net worth stands at $20 Million as of 2026. This figure represents a cumulative estimate derived from his professional earnings across fifteen NHL seasons and his subsequent coaching tenure. During his time in the league, Nabokov accumulated approximately $50–60 million in salary, capped by a one-year, $1.55 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 2014–15 season. His brief period playing for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL contributed an additional estimated $3 million to his total earnings. Since retiring from active play, Nabokov has secured a coaching role with the San Jose Sharks, providing a steady income stream that has helped maintain his financial standing. The exact details of his current coaching compensation remain private, yet his wealth appears stable, reflecting consistent management of his assets throughout his career.[edit]

Nabokov won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2001 as the NHL's top rookie. He also earned a gold medal with Russia at the 2008 World Championships and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. [edit]