VANCOUVER — Nikita Tolopilo marked a couple of big firsts on Monday.
Not only did the Vancouver Canucks goalie make his first NHL start, he also collected his first win, backstopping the team to a 2-1 overtime victory against the San Jose Sharks.
“To be honest, I really wasn't too nervous," said the 25-year-old Belarusian. "I play hockey for awhile every day. A little bit before the game but once I step on the ice, I feel good and just focus on the next shot. Just focus and do my job.”
Watching from the stands were Tolopilo's wife and a couple of friends.
"I wish my parents could watch the game, but it's so complicated for us to get a visa," he said. "But I think they enjoyed the game at five morning back home in Minsk, probably then even falling asleep, I guess, all night. I think my mother was so nervous, more than me, for sure.”
Signed to a two-year, US$1.9-million contract in March 2023, Tolopilo has spent much of the last two seasons playing for Vancouver's American Hockey League affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.
The six-foot-six, 229-pound netminder boasts an 18-14-6 record with a 2.68 goals-against average, a .901 save percentage and four shutouts for Abbotsford this season.
“I just so, so glad that I get a chance. It was a long journey for me, and I'm so happy what I done before and now I just have to even more put in hard work in the summer," Tolopilo said after making 15 saves in Monday's win.
"We're not done in Abby, so I want to have a long run there too and just build from this game. And I think it's gonna give me a little bit more confidence, for sure.”
Joining Tolopilo for his rookie lap on Monday was defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev — his roommate in Abbotsford.
The 21-year-old from Yaroslavl, Russia registered 13:33 in ice time and blocked three shots.
Both players performed well in their debuts, said Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet.
“Kirill was good," he said. "I think there's something there. I think there's a good shot for him down the road. Some good feet, a good brain, good stick. I thought he was really good.
"And Tolopilo, I thought he was, he was big, he was good. He didn't have a lot of action, and sometimes it's hard to play those games. But I thought he did a nice job.”
CELEBRINI CELEBRATES
The lone puck to make it past Tolopilo came from Macklin Celebrini on a power play.
The Sharks rookie unleashed a blast from the faceoff dot, sending the puck pinging in off the crossbar for his 25th goal of the season at the 4:20 mark of the second period.
It was Celebrini's first goal at Rogers Arena, a rink he got to know well growing up when his dad, Rick, worked for the Canucks.
"Scoring in this building, I think it was just a dream as a kid to play in the NHL, and then scoring here is pretty cool," said the first-year centre.
"I remember being a kid just skating on this ice with my brother, so that was a cool moment.”
HISTORIC HUGHES
Canucks captain Quinn Hughes assisted on the overtime goal and tied Alex Edler for most points (409) by a Canucks defenceman in franchise history.
It took Edler 925 games to hit the mark. Hughes accomplished the feat in 432.
"He's a pleasure to coach," Tocchet said of the superstar defenceman. "He loves the game. He wants to win. He wants to keep getting better at his game. He’s emerging every day as a leader. And he’s probably heard more hurt than anybody about not making the playoffs. So use that as motivation.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2025.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
