Ilya Samsonov

Ilya Alexeyevich Samsonov (, Russian: Илья Алексеевич Самсонов; born 22 February 1997) is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL, as well as Metallurg Magnitogorsk and HC Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Growing up in Magnitogorsk, Russia, Samsonov made his KHL debut playing in relief with Metallurg Magnitogorsk during the 2014–15 KHL season. After a successful junior season with Metallurg's Junior club, Stalnye Lisy, Samsonov was ranked as the top European goaltender in the 2015 NHL entry draft. He was eventually drafted 22nd overall by the Washington Capitals, despite missing the scouting combine in Buffalo and conducting no interviews with the team. Following the 2015 draft, Samsonov returned to the KHL where he posted a 6–4–3 record with a 2.04 goals against average and .925 save percentage through 19 games. Following the 2017–18 KHL season, Samsonov embarked on his NHL career by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals. Samsonov participated in the Capitals' training camp but was re-assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hershey Bears, prior to the start of the 2018–19 season. He eventually made his NHL debut the following season while playing in a primary backup role to starter Braden Holtby. Following his debut win, Samsonov subsequently won 10 more to become only the third NHL rookie goaltender to win his first 11 contests and the first since 1973–74.