The Russian hockey school has always been famous for its goalkeepers. Many of them now play in the leading teams of our hockey league, as well as the NHL. The list of talented goalkeepers is constantly updated. Most recently, Igor Bobkov began his professional career. The goalkeeper is no doubt talented. At his young age, he has repeatedly opposed the most powerful teams.
Biography
Igor Bobkov was born on January 2, 1991 in Surgut. It was in this city that he began to play hockey at the local sports school "Olympian". His talent has been noticed by many hockey experts. It has very good dimensions for the goalkeeper. His height is 195 centimeters. This allows him, even sitting on the shields, to protect the upper corners of the gate. Then he, already at a young age, moved to one of the best schools in Russia - Magnitogorsk Metallurg. In 2008, he held nine games as part of this team, in which he missed 24 goals. Given that the rivals were very strong, the rate is very good. The very next year, the very young Igor Bobkov began his performance in the Steel Fox team, which plays in the youth hockey league. Over the past 14 games, he missed 30 goals. Two games by Igor were held to zero. Which is especially appreciated by all goalkeepers of the world. After this season, Igor Bobkov decided to leave the Russian league and move overseas.
Career abroad
Bobkov signed a contract with the NHL club Anaheim. But he failed to gain a foothold in the team. In order for him to gain experience, he was sent to play in lower leagues. In 2010, Bobkov Igor began his performance at London Knights. This team participates in the Ontario Hockey League. She is one of the three junior leagues forming the Canadian Championship. The stadium of this club is very similar to the arena in the NHL. They know how to well support their favorite team. The stadium accommodating 10 thousand people is always full. This club has a high level of organization, respectively, and the requirements for players are very high. The club's coach and manager in the past were themselves NHL players. They have an idea of how everything should be arranged in a team. Only guys from 15 to 20 years old can play in this league. Then Bobkov Igor played 2 games for the second Anaheim team. But there he did not work out. The following year, Igor began his performance at Norfolk Edmirals. This team performs in the AHL. This is the second highest level hockey league across the ocean, in which many NHL stars played at one time.
Return to Russia
After five seasons spent overseas, Bobkov decided to return to the KHL. Such a decision was made by him after communicating with his family. In the NHL for the club “Anaheim”, with which he had a contract, he was not released, and the guy wanted to reach a new level. Igor spoke with the agent, and within two days the option with the Admiral hockey club became available. A 2-year contract was signed with the young goalkeeper. Bobkov almost did not feel the difference in preparation, because the coaching staff of the “Admiral” is international. Defenders are trained by a specialist from Sweden. An American citizen is responsible for physical training. And the sports director is from Canada. Igor learned English well in 5 years. Therefore, it easily interacts with them. In addition, Brendon Bowie Igor met overseas in the beginners camp. Igor had a problem of a different nature. The local sports palace, called the Fetisov Arena, has an ice rink of small size. And most KHL teams have more. The playing style of all players, including the goalkeeper, varies greatly depending on the size of the court. The goalkeeper, playing on the smaller box, moves differently in the square. There is a different club game, and also you do not have to run far. Every time Bobkov has to switch his style of play depending on the size of the ice area. And this is extremely difficult for each player.
Achievements
At such an early age, Bobkov Igor Sergeyevich managed to achieve much. He received awards not only in clubs, but also as part of the national team. This talented young goalkeeper, playing for the junior team of Russia, became the silver medalist of the World Cup. In many ways, such a high result was achieved precisely thanks to the game of this wonderful goalkeeper. His merits were noted by experts. He was recognized as the best goalkeeper in this tournament. Playing for the Steel Fox team in 2010, Bobkov participated in the playoffs of the World Youth Championship and won the Kharlamov Cup. The most significant victory in Bobkov’s life took place in 2011, when our youth team outplayed Canadians in the final and became the world hockey champion.
Interesting situations related to this goalkeeper
There were various interesting situations in Bobkov’s career. For example, once all goalkeepers in the Anaheim club were injured. And the next day was coming pretty responsible game against the team, “Buffalo”. Bobkov had to fly out of Norfolk. And this is far, and there is no direct flight. The start of the match was scheduled for 19:00 local time. And Igor’s plane landed at 18:30. The management of “Anaheim” decided to play it safe and invite the 43-year-old goalkeeper from ... roller hockey. He even went out for a warm-up, but our goalkeeper managed and started playing from the first minutes. In addition, Bobkova was not allowed to enter the military base once during an excursion with the team, explaining that he was a citizen of not their country.
Youth World Cup Final
All the fans of our hockey will forever remember the final game between Russia and Canada. During the game, our team was inferior with a score of 0: 3. The coaching staff of the team from Russia decided to change the goalkeeper, and Bobkov entered the game. There was no chance of escape. Our team hardly left its zone. Canadians were close to scoring the fourth goal, but Igor was on top. With his reliable game, he gave confidence to our players, and they saved the game. Becoming champions for the first time in a long time. At the same time, victory was won in the homeland of hockey.
Igor Bobkov became the main goalkeeper of the Admiral hockey team, which plays in the largest league in the world. Not many goalkeepers manage to achieve such a high result in 25 years. Igor Bobkov is a hockey player who deserves admiration for his discipline and attitude to sports. All experts are confident that over time he will progress and will be able to become the main goalkeeper of the NHL club and the main team. All novice goalkeepers should be equal to such as Igor Bobkov. Hockey for him always comes first in life.