Ilya Sorokin Named Vezina Trophy Finalist
Ilya Sorokin, the goaltender for the New York Islanders, has been announced as a finalist for the prestigious Vezina Trophy for the 2026 season, as revealed by the National Hockey League. In this competitive race, he will be up against Boston Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Impressive Season Performance
Throughout the season, Sorokin distinguished himself with an impressive record of 29 wins, 24 losses, and 2 overtime losses, coupled with a 2.68 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, while recording seven shutouts over 55 games, where he started in 54 of them. His remarkable performance has placed him among the top ten in key statistical categories for goalies, including:
- 6th in save percentage
- 7th in goals-against average for those who played at least 50 games
- 1st in shutouts
- 1st in road wins with 18
- 8th in saves with 1,386
- 9th for shots against
- Tied for 9th in wins and games played
- 10th in total minutes on the ice
High-Pressure Performance
The 26-year-old goaltender from Mezhdurechensk, Russia, notably excelled when facing high-pressure situations, earning a record of 15 wins without a loss when opposing teams fired 30 or more shots at him. This included an outstanding start to the season where he achieved a franchise record by winning 13 such games consecutively. On January 6, he notably saved 44 shots in a shutout performance, which marked his 26th career shutout and also set a new all-time record for the Islanders.
Recognition and Team Focus
Despite his accolades this season, which also included a ranking of third in Goals Saved Above Expected according to MoneyPuck.com, he has yet to secure the Vezina Trophy. Previously, he finished as a runner-up in the 2022-23 season, where he had an exceptional record with 31 wins, a 2.34 GAA, and a .924 save percentage, leading the league again with six shutouts.
After the conclusion of last season, Sorokin had reflected on the award, stating that he prefers to focus on team goals rather than individual accolades. “It’s not something to discuss now. There’s no chance,” he said, highlighting his focus on team performance over individual recognition. He stressed the importance of the collective effort, mentioning the strong talent among his teammates.
Frontal Competition
While Vasilevskiy is widely regarded as the frontrunner for the Vezina, the outcome remains uncertain until the awards are officially presented.
