Comeback at the age of 50: Olympic champion Chabibulin ventures between the posts again

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It is common for a goalkeeper to join the coaching staff after his career and pass on his experience to the younger goalkeepers. If this change is made in the other direction, you will definitely sit up and take notice.

Nikolai Khabibulin (50) is now taking exactly this unusual step. The former NHL goalie has signed a contract until the end of the season with his current employer, Russian KHL club Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.

About the contract, Torpedos head coach Igor Larionov (63) can be quoted: “Nikolai is extremely important for our team as a goalkeeping coach. He has had an unparalleled playing career. I know his character, his dedication and his passion for ice hockey.”

Exceptional career

Khabibulin became Olympic champion with the Russian national team in 1992. Ten years later, he became the first Russian goaltender to win the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The goaltender played more than 800 NHL games until suffering a hip injury in 2013 and ultimately retiring as a player in 2016. The special comeback is because the position of third goalkeeper became available at Torpedo. Khabibulin trained hard for three months to get back into shape. “What we see is incredible,” says Torpedo coach Larionov.

NHL legend holds an age record

It is not yet certain when the Stanley Cup winner will actually play. “If the opportunity arises, we will certainly consider using him in a championship match. Because the season is only really getting started now. “He could be valuable in the playoffs,” Larionov said.

If Nikolai Chabibulin were actually used, he would be the oldest active goalkeeper in one of the world’s top leagues. But not the oldest player. NHL legend Jaromir Jagr still holds this record. At the age of 51, the Czech is still on the ice for the club from his hometown HC Kladno.

Source : Blick