Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins has been named the NHL’s top goaltender and awarded the Vezina Trophy. The award is given annually to the league’s best goaltender, as voted on by the NHL’s general managers.
Ullmark had a standout season for the Bruins, posting a 24-10-3 record with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. He also recorded three shutouts in his 37 appearances.
The 28-year-old Swedish netminder joined the Bruins as a free agent in the offseason after spending his first six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. He quickly established himself as the team’s top goaltender, taking over the starting role from veteran Tuukka Rask, who missed much of the season due to injury.
Ullmark’s performance was key to the Bruins’ success this season, as they finished second in the Atlantic Division with a 44-21-7 record. He was particularly impressive in the team’s playoff run, where he posted a .934 save percentage in 11 games.
The Vezina Trophy is named after Georges Vezina, a legendary goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens who played in the early 20th century. It has been awarded annually since 1927 and is considered one of the most prestigious individual awards in the NHL.
Ullmark is only the second Bruins goaltender to win the award, following Tim Thomas, who won it in 2009 and 2011. He is also the first Swedish goaltender to win the award since Henrik Lundqvist in 2012.
In addition to his Vezina win, Ullmark was also named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2016 and has represented Sweden at several international tournaments, including the World Junior Championships and the World Championships.
Overall, Ullmark’s Vezina win is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding season and his emergence as one of the NHL’s top goaltenders. Bruins fans can look forward to seeing him back in action next season as he continues to anchor the team’s defense.
