Nikolai Alexandrovich Khabibulin is a Russian former professional ice hockey goaltender.
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32 Facts About Nikolai Khabibulin
2.
Nikolai Khabibulin was the first Russian goaltender to ever win the Stanley Cup, doing so with Tampa Bay in 2004; until 2020, he was the only Russian goaltender to start in the Finals.
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3.
Nikolai Khabibulin was selected in the ninth round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.
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4.
On March 5,2001, Nikolai Khabibulin was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Mike Johnson, Paul Mara, Ruslan Zainullin and the New York Islanders' second-round choice.
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5.
Nikolai Khabibulin quickly signed a contract with Tampa Bay and by the next season, he re-emerged as a premier goaltender.
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6.
Indeed, many players were surprised that Nikolai Khabibulin wasn't named MVP, an honour they felt was deserved and obvious.
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7.
Nikolai Khabibulin recorded five shutouts in 23 playoff games, including three shutouts in the first-round match-up against the New York Islanders.
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8.
Unlike his time in Phoenix, Nikolai Khabibulin could enjoy extended rest when needed due to the skill of his backup, John Grahame.
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9.
Nikolai Khabibulin was replaced by Huet for the third period due to a lower body injury.
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10.
Nikolai Khabibulin missed the remaining three games of the series as a result of the injury.
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11.
On July 1,2009, Nikolai Khabibulin signed a four-year, $15 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers, replacing Dwayne Roloson as the Oilers' starting goaltender.
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12.
On January 13,2010, it was announced that Nikolai Khabibulin would have surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back.
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13.
However, Nikolai Khabibulin's play fell off in the second half of the season, and he ended the season with an average 2.
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14.
Nikolai Khabibulin suffered an injury in a loss to the Nashville Predators on November 16,2013, and was placed on injured reserve the next day.
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15.
Nikolai Khabibulin never played another game in the NHL after sustaining the hip injury.
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16.
Nikolai Khabibulin announced his intentions to retire on November 13,2015.
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17.
Nikolai Khabibulin has expressed an interest in continuing his hockey career in management.
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18.
Nikolai Khabibulin made his international debut with the Soviet Union at the 1991 European Junior Championships.
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19.
Nikolai Khabibulin appeared in the 1992 World Junior Championships the next year and won a gold medal with the CIS, appearing in six games.
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20.
Nikolai Khabibulin remains the last active player from Russia to win the Olympic Games.
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21.
At the 2002 Winter Olympics, in which the 1992 gold medal conflict was resolved, Nikolai Khabibulin established himself as the national team's starting goaltender.
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22.
Nikolai Khabibulin helped Russia to a bronze medal while appearing in all six games, and was named Best Goaltender of the tournament.
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23.
Also at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Nikolai Khabibulin was finally awarded his 1992 Olympic gold medal in a private locker room ceremony with teammates and the Russian Hockey Federation.
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24.
Nikolai Khabibulin was called up again in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, but missed the tournament due to injury.
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25.
Nikolai Khabibulin did not play a game in either tournament, in which Russia failed to win a medal.
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26.
On February 8,2010, Nikolai Khabibulin was pulled over in Arizona by a police officer for surpassing the legal speed limit by 25 miles per hour.
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27.
The officer noted various signs that suggested Nikolai Khabibulin could have been under the influence of alcohol, and proceeded to administer a field sobriety test.
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28.
Nikolai Khabibulin was arrested and charged with speeding and impaired driving.
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29.
On July 26,2011, Nikolai Khabibulin withdrew the appeal, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
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30.
Nikolai Khabibulin was in a jail for half of the time, and under house arrest for the other half.
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31.
Nikolai Khabibulin helped Victoria Azarenka settle in Scottsdale when she moved from Belarus to pursue a career in tennis.
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32.
Nikolai Khabibulin's wife is friends with Azarenka's mother and decided to help her.
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