Russian Goalies

[arrbez]

For a long time now there's only been 1 prominant russian goalie in the NHL (2 if you count nabokov as russian), and i was just wondering if there's a reason for it? I know in quebec all the kids want to be the next patrick roy or martin brodeur, is it just the opposite in russia? Is goaltender the position that nobody really wants to play as a kid? It could just be coincidence, but i just found it wierd that a country that makes so many talented players at other positions has almost no depth in goal

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[Vyacheslav]

I think it's just a coincidence. There are not that many Slovakian NHL goalies, and for as many quality skaters the Czech Republic produces the goalie production seems to be a bit behind as well.

 

[The True Blue Crew]

how about tretiak ? who inspired roy ? who in turn inspired the french canadian goalie revolution ?

p.s. bulin is awesome, nabokov carried the sharks into playoffs, felix potvin can pass for a Russian with his name

 

[tml_4ever]

For a long time now there's only been 1 prominant russian goalie in the NHL (2 if you count nabokov as russian), and i was just wondering if there's a reason for it? I know in quebec all the kids want to be the next patrick roy or martin brodeur, is it just the opposite in russia? Is goaltender the position that nobody really wants to play as a kid? It could just be coincidence, but i just found it wierd that a country that makes so many talented players at other positions has almost no depth in goal

Why exactly can't you count Nabokov as Russian?

 

[Vyacheslav]

Why exactly can't you count Nabokov as Russian?

I guess because he was born in Kazakhstan, but there are russians all over the former soviet union. As a matter of fact, 30% of the population of Kazakhstan is russian.

And I'm not sure how the name Potvin can pass for Russian. Seems pretty french to me.

 

[IkeaMonkey*]

Because Kahzakstan isnt exactly russia?

*edit: heres to leaving your browser open for an hour and being wicked late on your reponse, Hoke!*

 

[arrbez]

how about tretiak ? who inspired roy ? who in turn inspired the french canadian goalie revolution ?

p.s. bulin is awesome, nabokov carried the sharks into playoffs, felix potvin can pass for a Russian with his name

easy there turbo, Tretiak never played in the NHL, and i'm talking about the last decade or so. The soviets had good goalies, but that's not really relevant. And it doesn't matter who influenced patrick roy. What matters is that the only notable russian goaltenders in the NHL in the last decade or so are Khabibulin and Nabokov (even though he's played for Khazakstan internationally). i just find it odd that russia has like 70-something players in the NHL, and only 2 of the are goalies.

and as for potvin, you can have him

 

[Slay]

i'm talking about the last decade or so.

Well last decade was crappy for Russia on the whole and Russian sports particulary. 70 players in the NHL is pretty big number but still... let's remember how Russian junior teams were performing in the beginning-middle of 90s, not so good... depth of the rosters wasn't great... so if even skaters were not that great should we be surprised by small amout of good goales?

As for Potvin... even if his name ends with "in" doesn't sound Russian to me at all. It is like Chaplin for instance... not Russian.

 

[wilka91*]

Economic collapse of the USSR >>> less money, less food, less people playing hockey, less rinks, less goalies.

 

[MOGiLNY]

Russia didn't have a lot of good goalies during the USSR era neither. Tretiak was the only superstar.. Myshkin was decent. That's it.

 

[The True Blue Crew]

ok
you got me there. Being quite familiar with the Russian culture, I thought that Potvin was a Quebecois whose parents were of Russian descend.

 

[Canuck21t]

ok
you got me there. Being quite familiar with the Russian culture, I thought that Potvin was a Quebecois whose parents were of Russian descend.

The name Potvin is very Québécois and many have that name in Québec.

 

[RangsDave]

no goaLIE

besides khabby, since russia has such poor goaltending, but they are awesome in every other position, the goalie won't be tested as much.
Wait, wasn't kiporsuff russian?

 

[arrbez]

besides khabby, since russia has such poor goaltending, but they are awesome in every other position, the goalie won't be tested as much.
Wait, wasn't kiporsuff russian?

kiprusoff is finnish

Russia's defense is good, but not great, and i'm sure their goalies will face a lot of shots playing agaist the best players in the world

 

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Looks like some of their hopes rest in the large frame of one Andrei Medvedev. Here's hoping he's one of the best Russian goalies of his generation! People love to write him off because of his conditioning but all the guy does is win.

 

[arrbez]

medvedev...was he the same fat goalie who beat Canada in the juniors a couple years back? As a fat goalie myself, i can testify that fat people can indeed play goal effectively

 

[RangsDave]

I am also fat, and i'm a good goalie,
about medvedev, we'll just have to wait and see


ROCK ON FAT GOALIES!!!!

 

[jlockhart89]

russia's goalies are going to be in shambles during the world cup :lol