Ilya Nabokov

Ilya Nabokov (Russian: Илья Набоков, born March 27, 2003) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected 38th overall, in the second round of the 2024 NHL entry draft by the Colorado Avalanche.

Ilya Nabokov
Born	(2003-03-27) March 27, 2003 (age 22) Kasli, Russia
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
KHL team	Metallurg Magnitogorsk
NHL draft	38th overall, 2024 Colorado Avalanche
Playing career	2022–present

Playing career

Nabokov first played hockey at the age of five, traveling 130 kilometers (81 mi) to play. He started play as a skater, but switched to play goal in his second year, in part inspired by seeing Vasily Koshechkin play for the Russian national team. At 12, he was invited to play in Metallurg.^[1] He made his Junior Hockey League (MHL) debut with Stalnye Lisy during the 2019–20 season.^[2]

In 36 regular season games in the 2021–22 season, Nabokov recorded five shutouts and a 2.06 goals against average.^[3]

In his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut against Kunlun Red Star on November 29, 2022, his lone KHL appearance in the season, Nabokov played less than five minutes and faced just one shot.^[4] In the MHL, he was selected for the MHL Challenge Cup at the 2022 KHL All-Star Game, and was nominated for the award for best goaltender.^[5][6]

Nabokov became a KHL regular in 2023–24, taking on a starter role due to the departure of Edward Pasquale and recording a .930 save percentage in 43 games.^[7][8] His first KHL start came on September 9, 2023, a 4–3 opening night victory over HC Vityaz in which he made 23 saves on 26 shots.^[9] His first shutout came on October 17, a 29-save blanking of Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg.^[6] In 22 playoff games, Nabokov recorded a .941 save percentage, and in Metallurg's Gagarin Cup finals sweep of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl he allowed only three goals.^[10] At 21 years and 32 days, he became the youngest playoff MVP in KHL history, beating the previous record of 23 years and 128 days set by goaltender Ilya Sorokin.^[11][12]

On June 29, 2024, Nabokov was selected with the 38th overall pick, in the second round of the 2024 NHL entry draft by the Colorado Avalanche, their first selection in the draft. It was his fourth draft-eligible season.^[13]

International play

Nabokov played for Russia U20 at the 2022 Future Cup.^[14] He won the 2024 Channel One Cup with Russia, appearing in all three matches and earning best goaltender honors for the event.^[15]

Career statistics

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2019–20	Stalnye Lisy	MHL		2	0	0	0	26	1	0	2.26	.917		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Stalnye Lisy	MHL		33	18	10	2	1,778	61	4	2.06	.925		5	4	3	194	12	1	3.70	.905
2021–22	Stalnye Lisy	MHL		36	25	8	1	2,034	70	5	2.06	.932		8	4	3	437	19	0	2.61	.921
2022–23	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	KHL		1	0	0	0	4	0	0	0.00	1.000		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Stalnye Lisy	MHL		34	18	9	7	2,018	65	5	1.93	.933		4	1	3	218	11	0	3.02	.903
2023–24	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	KHL		43	23	13	3	2,231	80	3	2.15	.930		23	16	6	1,349	41	4	1.82	.942
2024–25	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	KHL		49	23	17	6	2,725	101	3	2.22	.923		5	2	3	310	11	0	2.13	.920
KHL totals				93	46	30	9	4,961	181	6	2.19	.926		28	18	9	1,660	52	4	1.88	.938

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
MHL
All-Star Game	2022	[5]
KHL
Rookie of the Year	2024	[16][17]
Golden Helmet Award	2024
Gagarin Cup champion	2024	[11]
Gagarin Cup MVP	2024