Ilya Nabokov

Ilya Nabokov (Илья Набоков, born March 27, 2003) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected 38th overall, in the second round of the 2024 NHL entry draft, by the Colorado Avalanche.

Playing career
Nabokov first played hockey at the age of five, traveling 130 km to play. He started play as a skater, but switched to play goal in his second year, in part inspired by seeing Vasily Koshechkin play for the Russian national team. At 12, he was invited to play in Metallurg. He made his Junior Hockey League (MHL) debut with Stalnye Lisy during the 2019–20 season.

In 36 regular season games in the 2021–22 season, Nabokov recorded five shutouts and a 2.06 goals against average.

In his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut against Kunlun Red Star on November 29, 2022, his lone KHL appearance in the season, Nabokov played less than five minutes and faced just one shot. In the MHL, he was selected for the MHL Challenge Cup at the 2022 KHL All-Star Game, and was nominated for the award for best goaltender.

Nabokov became a KHL regular in 2023–24, taking on a starter role due to the departure of Edward Pasquale and recording a .930 save percentage in 43 games. His first KHL start came on September 9, 2023, a 4–3 opening night victory over HC Vityaz in which he made 23 saves on 26 shots. His first shutout came on October 17, a 29-save blanking of Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. In 22 playoff games, Nabokov recorded a .941 save percentage, and in Metallurg's Gagarin Cup finals sweep of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl he allowed only three goals. At 21 years and 32 days, he became the youngest playoff MVP in KHL history, beating the previous record of 23 years and 128 days set by goaltender Ilya Sorokin.

On June 29th, 2024, Nabokov was selected with the 38th overall pick, in the second round of the 2024 NHL entry draft by the Colorado Avalanche, their first selection in the draft. It was his fourth draft-eligible season.

International play
Nabokov played for Russia U20 at the 2022 Future Cup.