Tragedy has struck for the Khabibulin family, as word has it that former NHL netminder Nikolai Khabibulin's father has passed away on Saturday.
Khabibulin, who was in the midst of a run with the 2020-21 Russian World Junior squad as a goaltending coach, has left the team so he can fly back to Russia to be with his family.
In his absence, the Russian World Junior squad, Rashit Davydov is set to take over the goaltending coaching gig.
Khabibulin played 18 seasons in the NHL, debuting in 1994-95 with the team who drafted him in the 9th round in 1992, the Winnipeg Jets (now the Arizona Coyotes).
"The Bulin Wall" played for 3 other franchises over his storied career, including the Tampa Bay Lightning - with whom he won a Stanley Cup championship in 2004, the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, amassing 333 career wins, good for 25th all-time in the NHL record books. He also walled away from the game with a career .907 SV% and a 2.72 GAA.
Our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Khabibulin family during this difficult time.
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