| Andrei Vasilevskiy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Vasilevskiy with theTampa Bay Lightning in May 2018 | |||
| Born | (1994-07-25)25 July 1994 (age 31) Tyumen, Russia | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Catches | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams | Tampa Bay Lightning Salavat Yulaev Ufa | ||
| National team |  Russia | ||
| NHL draft | 19th overall,2012 Tampa Bay Lightning | ||
| Playing career | 2010–present | ||
Andrei Andreyevich Vasilevskiy (Russian:Андрей Андреевич Василевский; born 25 July 1994) is a Russian professionalice hockey player who is agoaltender for theTampa Bay Lightning of theNational Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the first round, 19th overall, by the Lightning at the2012 NHL entry draft.[1]
Nicknamed the "Big Cat" and "Vasy", Vasilevskiy won theVezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in the2018–19 season and was also nominated for the2017–18 NHL season. He led the league in wins for five consecutive seasons (2017–18 to2021–22). He backstopped the Lightning to back-to-backStanley Cup championships in2020, where he set a record of 18 playoff wins (only possible because that year's postseason had play-in games), and again in2021 where he won theConn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in theplayoffs.
He was originally selected bySalavat Yulaev Ufa in the first round, seventh overall, of the2011 KHL Junior Draft.[2]
Vasilevskiy was selected 19th overall in the2012 NHL entry draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. On 6 May 2014, he was signed by the Lightning to a three-year, entry-level contract.[3]
On 27 September, Vasilevskiy was assigned to theSyracuse Crunch of theAmerican Hockey League (AHL), the top minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.[4] On 15 December, Vasilevskiy was named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week. In the previous week, he allowed just one goal on 56 shots faced in two games, which was good for a 0.50goals against average (GAA) and a .982save percentage. Vasilevskiy had a 29-saveshutout against theSpringfield Falcons, which snapped their franchise-record 11-game winning streak. In the next game, he made 29 saves in a 4–1 victory over theHershey Bears.[5] Vasilevskiy had compiled a record of 8–3–3 in 14 appearances with Syracuse that season, with a 2.34 GAA, .918 save percentage and two shutouts. On 2 January 2015, he was named CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month for December, posting a 4–0–1 record with a 1.17 GAA and a .962 save percentage. He was the first Syracuse goaltender to win the award sinceKarl Goehring was honored in March 2008.[6]
On 16 December 2014, Vasilevskiy was recalled to the Tampa Bay Lightning.[7] He then started that night in his NHL debut, a 3–1 victory over thePhiladelphia Flyers.[8] In the process he also became the first NHL goaltender to ever wear uniform number 88. He recorded his first NHL shutout on 3 March 2015, over theBuffalo Sabres in a 28-save performance.[9] Vasilevskiy's first playoff win came on 6 June, when he replaced starting goaltenderBen Bishop twice during the third period of Game 2 ofthe Finals against theChicago Blackhawks; he thus became the first goalie in 24 years to win a playoff Final in relief and the first to earn his first career playoff win in relief in the Final since Lester Patrick in 1928.[10] The Lightning lost the finals against the Blackhawks in six games.
On 3 September, Vasilevskiy had successful surgery to remove a blood clot from near his left collarbone and to treat a type ofthoracic outlet syndrome. Vasilevskiy was expected to return to the ice in 2–3 months.[11] On 21 October, Vasilevskiy was cleared to come off of his blood thinner medication, allowing him to return to practice. On 1 November, the Lightning recalled Vasilevskiy from his conditioning stint with the Crunch, where he made 56 of 58 saves in two wins.[12] Vasilevskiy made his return to the NHL that same day, in a 4–3 Lightning victory over theCarolina Hurricanes.[13] Vasilevskiy once again filled in for Ben Bishop in round three of the2016 playoffs against thePittsburgh Penguins after Bishop got injured. Despite Vasilevskiy's strong performance, the Lightning lost in seven games, one win shy of a second consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. Vasilevskiy appeared in 24 games with the team during the 2015–16 season, posting a record of 11–10–0 to go along with a 2.76 goals-against average and .910 save percentage, as well as one shutout in his second season. He also played in eight Stanley Cup playoff games, recording a record of 3–4 to go along with a 2.76 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.[14]
On 1 July 2016, the Lightning announced the re-signing of Vasilevskiy to a three-year contract extension.[15] On 28 December, Vasilevskiy recorded his first career NHL point as an assist on an overtime goal scored byTyler Johnson, which came in a 4–3 victory over theMontreal Canadiens.[16] Vasilevskiy finished the2016–17 campaign with a 23–17–7 record in 50 games played as the Lightning as a team finished one point out of a playoff spot.
On 26 October 2017, Vasilevskiy played in his 100th career NHL game in a 3–2 win over theDetroit Red Wings.[17] In that game, Vasilevskiy recorded his 8th consecutive win of the season, tying Vasilevskiy withNikolai Khabibulin for most consecutive wins by a Lightning goaltender.[18] Four days later Vasilevskiy recorded his 9th consecutive win, passing Khabibulin for most consecutive wins in franchise history. This was also Vasilevskiy's 10th win of the month of October, which tied him withManny Legace andCraig Anderson for the most wins in a single season in the month of October in NHL history.[19] On 12 December, Vasilevskiy recorded a 3–0 shutout against theSt. Louis Blues at theScottrade Center. The win was Vasilevskiy's 20th of the season over 25-games, the fifth fastest in NHL history.[20] This also made Vasilevskiy only the sixth goalie in NHL history to record 20 wins in 25 games played.[21][22]On 10 January 2018, Vasilevskiy was named to the2018 NHL All-Star Game, his first.[23][24] On 22 January, Vasilevskiy recorded a shutout win in a 2–0 win over theChicago Blackhawks atUnited Center.[25] The shutout was Vasilevskiy's seventh of the season, which tied him withNikolai Khabibulin for the most shutouts in a single season by a Lightning goalie.[26] Additionally, Vasilevskiy set the franchise record for most road shutouts in a single season, with six.[27] On 27 February, Vasilevskiy recorded his 78th career NHL win,[28] moving Vasilevskiy pastDaren Puppa for third most in Lightning history.[29] On 20 March, Vasilevskiy recorded his 41st win of the season,[30] surpassingBen Bishop for most wins in a single season in franchise history, placing him third.[31] On 3 April, Vasilevskiy recorded his 43rd win of the season in a 4–0 shutout of the visitingBoston Bruins,[32] surpassing Nikolai Khabibulin for second most wins in franchise history, with 84.[33] Vasilevskiy's eighth shutout of the season gave him sole possession for the most shutouts in a single season by a Lightning goaltender.[34] On 17 April, Vasilevskiy was nominated for theVezina Trophy for the first time in his career as the NHL's yearly award for top goaltender (which eventually went toNashville Predators goaltenderPekka Rinne.[35]
On 14 November, Vasilevskiy suffered an injury while in practice. Two days later, it was announced that he would be sidelined for four to six weeks with a broken left foot.[36] Vasilevskiy returned 4 weeks later, starting his first game back on 13 December, at home against theToronto Maple Leafs. That night his 48 saves tied Ben Bishop's team record from four seasons prior, as the Lightning defeated the Leafs 4–1.[37] On 8 January 2019, Vasilevskiy was added to the Atlantic Division roster for the2019 National Hockey League All-Star Game as a replacement for an injuredCarey Price.[38] On 15 January, Vasilevskiy recorded a shutout in a 2–0 Lightning win over theDallas Stars atAmerican Airlines Center.[39] The shutout moved Vasilevskiy past Nikolai Khabibulin (14) for second most shutouts in franchise history (15).[40] On 14 February, Vasilevskiy recorded his 17th shutout in a 6–0 Lightning victory over the Dallas Stars, tying him with Ben Bishop for most shutouts in Lightning history.[41] Two days later, in Tampa's next game, the record became Vasilevskiy's alone at 18.[42] On 20 March, Vasilevskiy recorded 54 saves in a 5–4 overtime win over theWashington Capitals atCapital One Arena to set the Lightning record for the most saves in a game.[43] In a 13-save victory over theBoston Bruins on 25 March, Vasilevskiy moved past Ben Bishop for the most saves in franchise history, with 5739.[44] On 1 April, Vasilevskiy started in his 207th career NHL game, which came in a 5–2 win over theOttawa Senators. This resulted in Vasilevksiy passing Daren Puppa (206) for second most starts in franchise history.[45] On 19 June, at the 2019 NHL Awards, Vasilevskiy was awarded theVezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the league after being a finalist for the second consecutive season and second time in his career altogether. He was the first player in franchise history to win the award.[46]
On 29 July, Vasilevskiy signed an eight-year, $76 million contract extension to remain with the Lightning through the 2027–28 season. Vasilevskiy was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy for the third consecutive season (which eventually was awarded toConnor Hellebuyck of theWinnipeg Jets).[47] On 11 August 2020, Vasilevskiy made 61 saves in a five overtime victory over theColumbus Blue Jackets in the opening game of the first round of the playoffs,[48] the most saves in a playoff game in Lightning history.[49] On 25 August, Vasilevskiy recorded an overtime victory over the Boston Bruins in the second game of their second round series.[50] The win was Vasilevskiy's 22nd, as he passed both Ben Bishop and Nikolai Khabibulin for the most playoff victories in Lightning playoff history.[51] On 28 September, Vasilevskiy recorded his first career playoff shutout in the Lightning'sStanley Cup clinching win over the Dallas Stars in game 6 of the2020 Stanley Cup Finals, winning the game 2–0 and the series 4–2.[52] With the shutout, Vasilevskiy joinedTom Barrasso as the only goaltenders in NHL history to record their first shutout in a playoff year during the Stanley Cup clinching game.[53] He also set an NHL record for the most minutes played by a goaltender in the postseason (1,708:12) and the most postseason wins in a single season (18).[54] Vasilevskiy's mark for postseason wins was set during the expanded 24-team postseason field due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes it a record that cannot be broken under the standard four-round NHL playoff format.
Vasilevskiy continued his stellar play during thepandemic shortened2020–21 season and was named a finalist for the Vezina trophy for the fourth straight season (which was eventually given toMarc-André Fleury of theVegas Golden Knights).[55] In each of the series clinching2021 playoff games, Vasilevskiy earned a shut out. On 7 July 2021, Vasilevskiy posted a 1–0 shutout against the Montreal Canadiens to take win the series 4–1, as the Lightning clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup.[56] Vasilevskiy posted shutouts in all four of the Lightning series winning games, extending his streak to 5 consecutive series clinching shutouts, tying an NHL record withChris Osgood andClint Benedict. Vasilevskiy was awarded theConn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP by NHL commissionerGary Bettman, becoming the first goaltender sinceJonathan Quick in2012 to win the award.
On 23 May 2022, Vasilevskiy posted his NHL record-breaking sixth series clinching shutout with a 49 save shutout against the Presidents' Trophy-winningFlorida Panthers in a four game sweep, finishing the series with an astonishing .981 save percentage, as he allowed only three goals out of 154 shots.[57] He and the Lightning reached their third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, but lost in six games to the top-seededColorado Avalanche.[58]
On 28 September 2023, it was reported that Vasilevskiy had undergone back surgery. He missed the first two months of the2023–24 season.[59] Vasilevskiy made his return and season debut on 24 November, making 22 saves as the Lightning beat theCarolina Hurricanes 8–2 atPNC Arena[60]
On 14 November 2024, Vasilevskiy earned his 300th career NHL win in the Lightning's 4–1 win over theWinnipeg Jets, becoming only the 40th goaltender in NHL history to reach 300 wins, and the fastest to reach the milestone.[61] On 12 December, Vasilevskiy played his 500th NHL game in an 8–3 win over theCalgary Flames, becoming the 82nd goaltender in league history and first goaltender in Lightning history to play in as many games.[62] He finished the2024–25 season with a 38–20–5 record, coming second in the league in wins and playing more minutes than any other goaltender. He was for the fifth time named a Vezina Trophy finalist.[63]
In winning the2014 IIHF World Championship with theRussian senior team, Vasilevskiy was awarded theOrder of Honour on 27 May 2014.
On 2 March 2016, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation named Vasilevskiy to its roster for the2016 World Cup of Hockey. Vasilevskiy was joined by Lightning teammatesVladislav Namestnikov, andNikita Kucherov. The tournament took place from 17 Sep to 1 October 2016, inToronto.[64]
On 9 April 2017, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation named Vasilevskiy to its roster for the2017 World Ice Hockey Championships. Vasilevskiy was joined by teammate Nikita Kucherov.[65] On 21 May 2017, Vasilevskiy helped Russia capture a bronze medal when they defeatedFinland in the bronze medal game.[66] Additionally, Vasilevskiy was voted the top goaltender of the tournament.[67]
His father,Andrei Vasilevski (born 1966), was also a goaltender who competed in theRussian Superleague as a member ofSalavat Yulaev Ufa.[68]
Vasilevskiy and his wife have one son. He considers himself a family man, spending time with his family when not busy with ice hockey, avoiding bars and social media. He has his wife's and son's names painted on his goaltender mask.[69]
Bold indicates led league
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2010–11 | Tolpar Ufa | MHL | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 730 | 22 | 3 | 1.81 | .937 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 87 | 3 | 0 | 2.05 | .936 | ||
| 2011–12 | Tolpar Ufa | MHL | 27 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 1,477 | 55 | 0 | 2.23 | .931 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 120 | 5 | 0 | 2.50 | .931 | ||
| 2012–13 | Tolpar Ufa | MHL | 27 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 1,613 | 52 | 3 | 1.93 | .930 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 189 | 9 | 0 | 2.85 | .897 | ||
| 2012–13 | Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 298 | 11 | 1 | 2.22 | .924 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 28 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1,601 | 59 | 3 | 2.21 | .923 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 1,144 | 38 | 1 | 1.99 | .934 | ||
| 2014–15 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 25 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 1,469 | 60 | 2 | 2.45 | .917 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 16 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 864 | 34 | 1 | 2.36 | .918 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 113 | 6 | 0 | 3.19 | .895 | ||
| 2015–16 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 12 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 711 | 23 | 1 | 1.94 | .935 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 24 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 1,259 | 58 | 1 | 2.76 | .910 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 434 | 20 | 0 | 2.76 | .925 | ||
| 2016–17 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 50 | 23 | 17 | 7 | 2,832 | 123 | 2 | 2.61 | .917 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 65 | 44 | 17 | 3 | 3,826 | 167 | 8 | 2.62 | .920 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 1,000 | 43 | 0 | 2.58 | .918 | ||
| 2018–19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 53 | 39 | 10 | 4 | 3,204 | 128 | 6 | 2.40 | .925 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 236 | 15 | 0 | 3.83 | .856 | ||
| 2019–20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 52 | 35 | 14 | 3 | 3,122 | 133 | 3 | 2.56 | .917 | 25 | 18 | 7 | 1,709 | 54 | 1 | 1.90 | .927 | ||
| 2020–21 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 42 | 31 | 10 | 1 | 2,524 | 93 | 5 | 2.21 | .925 | 23 | 16 | 7 | 1,390 | 44 | 5 | 1.90 | .937 | ||
| 2021–22 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 63 | 39 | 18 | 5 | 3,761 | 156 | 2 | 2.49 | .916 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 1,403 | 59 | 1 | 2.52 | .922 | ||
| 2022–23 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 60 | 34 | 22 | 4 | 3,597 | 159 | 4 | 2.65 | .915 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 388 | 23 | 0 | 3.56 | .875 | ||
| 2023–24 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 52 | 30 | 20 | 2 | 3,063 | 148 | 2 | 2.90 | .900 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 298 | 16 | 0 | 3.22 | .897 | ||
| 2024–25 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 63 | 38 | 20 | 5 | 3,743 | 135 | 6 | 2.16 | .921 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 293 | 16 | 0 | 3.27 | .872 | ||
| KHL totals | 36 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 1,899 | 70 | 4 | 2.21 | .923 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 1,144 | 38 | 1 | 1.99 | .934 | ||||
| NHL totals | 540 | 331 | 163 | 35 | 31,792 | 1,334 | 40 | 2.52 | .917 | 120 | 67 | 50 | 7,261 | 296 | 7 | 2.45 | .918 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Russia | U18 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 272 | 12 | 0 | 2.65 | .897 | |
| 2011 | Russia | U18 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 344 | 15 | 0 | 2.62 | .936 | |
| 2012 | Russia | U18 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 299 | 11 | 1 | 2.20 | .922 | |
| 2012 | Russia | WJC | 5 | 4 | 1 | 299 | 10 | 2 | 2.01 | .953 | |
| 2013 | Russia | WJC | 4 | 3 | 1 | 164 | 5 | 1 | 2.04 | .943 | |
| 2014 | Russia | WJC | 6 | 4 | 2 | 328 | 10 | 0 | 1.83 | .933 | |
| 2014 | Russia | WC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 120 | 1 | 1 | 0.50 | .985 | |
| 2017 | Russia | WC | 9 | 6 | 2 | 523 | 15 | 3 | 1.72 | .936 | |
| 2019 | Russia | WC | 8 | 7 | 1 | 488 | 13 | 2 | 1.60 | .946 | |
| Junior totals | 31 | 19 | 11 | 1,706 | 63 | 5 | 2.22 | .935 | |||
| Senior totals | 19 | 14 | 3 | 1,131 | 29 | 6 | 1.54 | .946 | |||
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| KHL | ||
| Alexei Cherepanov Award | 2014 | |
| NHL | ||
| All-Star Game | 2018,2019,2020,2022,2023 | [23][38] |
| Vezina Trophy | 2019 | [70] |
| First All-Star Team | 2019,2021 | |
| Second All-Star Team | 2025 | [71] |
| Stanley Cup champion | 2020,2021 | [72] |
| Conn Smythe Trophy | 2021 | |
| International | ||
| Order of Honour | 2014 | [73] |
| WC All-Star Team | 2017,2019 | |
| Best Goaltender | 2017, 2019 | |
| WJC All-Decade Team | 2019 | [74] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Tampa Bay Lightning first round draft pick 2012 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Winner of theVezina Trophy 2019 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Conn Smythe Trophy winner 2021 | Succeeded by |
