 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Evgeni NABOKOV (na-BAW-kahv, ehv-GEH-nee) |
San Jose Sharks |
|
On playing every game: "I played a lot of games in my first few years, but obviously this year is a bit more in terms of how many games in a row I've played, but I'm enjoying every second of it ... I don't know if I will get a break or not. But I'm preparing to play in all of them. As long as I'm performing well, feeling good, and have (Ron Wilson's) confidence that I give us a chance to win every night, I'd like to be out there."
On his improvement after being drafted: "I was lucky enough to have two great goaltending coaches in my life. My dad was everything to me and taught me all of his tricks until 1997 when the Sharks brought me to North America. Then, Warren (Strelow) worked with me first at Kentucky in the American League and Cleveland in the International Hockey League. I think I finally started to turn the corner in Cleveland."
On his goalie mask: "My mask has a creature on both sides holding a fish head. It really doesn't have too much meaning behind it but I think it's cool looking. On the back, I have my kids' names (Andrei and Emily) and also the names of two important people who have passed away that had a big impact on me since I've been in the United States: Warren Strelow, my goaltending coach, and Anna Gorouven, a really close personal friend of mine. I also have my number on the back of the helmet (20). It's been my number forever and is special to me because it's the same number my father wore when he played."
|
|
|
|
