Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin was named a finalist for the 2022-23 Vezina Trophy, the award given to the NHL’s best goalie.
In the Thursday announcement, Sorokin will vie for the coveted award alongside Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins.
The Islanders made a run to the postseason this year largely on the back of Sorokin. The 27-year-old had a league-leading six shutouts in his career-high 62 appearances this season. He was 31-22-7 this year as a starter with a 2.34 goals-against average. He also posted a .924 save percentage this season.
He allowed one goal or fewer in 21 of his 60 starts and was ranked near the top of the NHL in several categories (min: 25 GP), including games (tie-third), save percentage (third), goals-against average ( sixth), saves (sixth, 1,699) and wins (ninth).
Sorokin is the first Islanders goaltender to record 30 wins in a season since Jaroslav Halak (38) in 2014-15 and one of five Islanders to ever achieve the feat, joining Halak, Chris Osgood (2001-02), Rick DiPietro (2005-06, 2006-07) and Billy Smith (1981-82).
This is the first time Sorokin was named a Vezina Trophy finalist and if he wins, he will join Smith (1981-82) as the second player in Islanders history to capture the honor.