Posted by R.G. Mason
NASHVILLE (June 26, 2023) – Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins is the 2022-23 recipient of the Vezina Trophy, awarded “to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position,” as selected by NHL general managers.
Ullmark, a first-time NHL Awards finalist, is the fourth Bruins goaltender to win the Vezina under the current selection criteria (since 1981-82), joining Pete Peeters (1982-83), Tim Thomas (2008-09, 2010-11) and Tuukka Rask (2013-14).
The Bruins netminder garnered 22 first-place votes and was a top-three pick on 29 ballots for 127 voting points. Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders, who earned three first-place votes and was named on 24 ballots in accumulating 70 points, finished second in the voting, followed by Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets (32 points).
Ullmark (40-6-1 in 49 GP) and teammate Jeremy Swayman won the William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltenders on the team allowing the fewest regular-season goals (177), backstopping the Bruins to their historic 65-win, 135-point campaign. Ullmark led the NHL in wins (tie-40), goals-against average (1.89) and save percentage (.938), becoming the eighth goaltender in League history to lead the NHL in all three categories and the first since Montreal’s Carey Price in 2014-15. Ullmark became the fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach 40 wins, doing so in his 49th and final game of the season; tied a Bruins record for wins in a season (Peeters: 63 GP in 1982-83); and allowed two or fewer goals in 36 of his 49 appearances (73.5%).
For more on the Vezina Trophy, including a list of past winners, click here.
COURTESY NHLmedia.com
