Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers has won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender for the 2021-22 season.
The Russian netminder was a near-unanimous choice, receiving the first-place vote on 29 of the 32 ballots and the second-place selection on the three other ballots for 154 voting points.
Shesterkin beat out finalists Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames, who was named on 25 ballots and accumulated 53 points, as well as Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators, who finished third in voting with 32 points, for the honour at the NHL Awards on Tuesday.
By securing the honour, he becomes just the third Rangers goalie to claim the award since general managers began voting on it in 1981-82, joining the likes of John Vanbiesbrouck (1985-86) and Henrik Lundqvist (2011-12).
Shesterkin, who also is a finalist for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, led the league with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage.
The Rangers goalie went 36-13-4 with six shutouts.
"I mean, it's obviously very, very well deserved," Rangers Chris Kreider said after Shesterkin was named a finalist for the MVP honours. "He's been our best player all year. We're certainly not in the position that we're in now without him. I mean, he kept us in games, he single-handedly won games. He's got my vote if that counts for anything."
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