Ilya Sorokin didn’t need the Vezina spotlight to know what mattered most to him.
The Islanders goalie said in an interview with the Russian publication Sport-Express that he was caught off guard to finish second in Vezina Trophy voting last season, especially after New York missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"Honestly, I was surprised to be in the top three," Sorokin said. "We didn't make the playoffs, and I don't think a goalie on a team that doesn't usually deserves a nomination."
For Sorokin, that reaction fits the way he’s handled individual recognition throughout his NHL career. The 30-year-old has built his reputation on elite play, but he clearly values team results more than hardware.
Even so, his numbers again put him near the top of the league. Sorokin was one of the main reasons the Islanders stayed in the playoff race for so much of the season, and he finished among the league leaders in multiple statistical categories. He also now owns an NHL-best 26 shutouts over the last five seasons.
Still, he said the nomination itself felt unexpected.
"The only exception is Sergei Bobrovsky," Sorokin said, referencing the former Vezina winner. "He once won the Vezina with an incredible statistic, 93 or 94 percent save percentage. But since I'm in the top three, it's a great honor for me to be there with Vasilevskiy."
Sorokin was not framing the finish as a disappointment, even though it was the second time in his career he came in second in Vezina voting. He said simply being listed with the other finalists meant a lot to him.
He also said missing the playoffs was not a “blow” for the Islanders last season, though he acknowledged that fans expect more from the team. He admitted he wore down toward the end of the year as well.
Now the Islanders move into a new season with Pete DeBoer as head coach, and the expectation is that they will be in the mix for a playoff spot after a summer of roster changes.
If Sorokin delivers another season at the level he’s shown before, the Vezina conversation will likely find him again. But if his own words are any guide, he’ll be measuring success by something bigger than individual awards.
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