The accolades for New York Rangers goalie Igor Shgesterkin are impressive with the announcement that he is a finalist for the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin has been named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, the award presented annually “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.”
The Moscow, Russia native posted historic numbers in 2021-22, becoming the third goaltender in NHL history (min. 50 appearances) to post a save percentage of .935 or higher in a single season. He joined Tim Thomas (2010-11 – .938) and Dominik Hasek (1998-99 – .937) in reaching the feat. Shesterkin went 36-13-4 and led the league with a 2.07 goals-against-average and .935 save percentage. It is the 39th time since the league began tracking save percentage in 1955-56, that a goaltender has led the NHL in both save percentage and GAA.
Shesterkin, 26, is the second Ranger in the past three seasons to be named a finalist for the Hart Trophy (Artemi Panarin – 2019-20) and the fifth Rangers goaltender in team history to be named a finalist for the award.
Igor Shesterkin eyes to become the second Ranger goaltender to capture the Hart Memorial Trophy (Chuck Rayner in 1949-50) and just the third netminder on any team to do so this century, following Carey Price in 2014-15 and Jose Theodore in 2001-02.
Past Ranger Goalies Named Finalists for the Hart Trophy;
2021-22 – Igor Shesterkin
2011-12 – Henrik Lundqvist
1966-67 – Ed Giacomin
1955-56 – Gump Worsley
1949-50 – Chuck Rayner* Won award in 1949-1950
Austin Mathews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Connor Mcdaid of the Edmonton Oilers were also named finalists for the Hart Trophy.
Matthews led the NHL in goals (60), the most ever in a season by a Toronto Maple Leafs player and most by a United-States-born player in a season.
McDavid led the NHL in scoring for the second straight season with 123 points (44 goals, 79 assists) in 80 games for the Edmonton Oilers and is a two-time winner of the award.
Shersterkin was also named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last week.
The winners of the 2022 NHL Awards will be revealed during the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final, with exact dates, format and times to be announced.
Follow Frank Curto on Twitter at @RangerProud