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Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy makes preseason NHL debut Tuesday

 
Andrei Vasilevskiy makes his much-anticipated debut Tuesday, starting for the Lightning against the Predators in the exhibition opener at Amalie Arena. [DIRK SHADD   |   Times]
Andrei Vasilevskiy makes his much-anticipated debut Tuesday, starting for the Lightning against the Predators in the exhibition opener at Amalie Arena. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
Published Sept. 23, 2014

TAMPA

Ever since he was a kid in Tyumen, Russia, Andrei Vasilevskiy longed to play in the National Hockey League. Even as Vasilevskiy, 20, starred on the international stage, becoming one of the most touted goalie prospects in years, he wondered how his skills would translate to North America. The wait is finally over. Vasilevskiy makes his much-anticipated debut tonight, starting for the Lightning against the Predators in the exhibition opener at Amalie Arena. No doubt, it'll be emotional. "Nervous, excited, it's a good feeling," Vasilevskiy said. "It's my dream, my childhood dream. It's just a preseason game, but it's a very good day. I'm very happy. If it's a good game, I'll be more happy." The Lightning believes the sky is the limit for Vasilevskiy (pronounced va-SILL-ev-ski), the 19th overall pick in 2012. Vasilevskiy boasts a unique blend of size (6 feet 3, 210 pounds), athleticism and poise. It's why ESPN's Corey Pronman labeled Vasilevskiy "one of the best goalie prospects of the past 20 years," and one former Russian Olympian compared him — unfairly — to Vladislav Tretiak, arguably the greatest goalie of all time.

Lightning goalie coach Frantz Jean, who worked at one of Tretiak's hockey schools, said Vasilevskiy is more advanced than any goalie he has seen at that age.

But Tampa Bay wants to ease Vasilevskiy into the much different North American game, and life, which is why he'll start the season in the American Hockey League competing with Kristers Gudlevskis for the No. 1 job.

"You compare a guy coming into pro hockey to a legend, to a guy who has won multiple World Championships, multiple gold medals, arguably the best goalie of all time," Jean said. "We just want Andrei Vasilevskiy to be Andrei Vasilevskiy."

Vasilevskiy has excelled at every level, from the 2012 world junior championship (4-1, 2.01 goals-against average for the runnersup) to facing men last season while playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (14-8, 2.21).

Then, at the world championship, Vasilevskiy started against the United States and stopped 37 of 38 shots in a 6-1 win.

"He's one of those guys, you think he's out of position, he's so athletic he can get back in," said Lightning center Tyler Johnson, who played for the U.S. team. "He has all the attributes you want in a goalie."

Vasilevskiy, who signed a three-year, entry-level deal ($925,000) with Tampa Bay, has impressed in training camp, adjusting well to the pro game and smaller ice surfaces in North America.

But veteran goalie Evgeni Nabokov, 39, who has represented Russia in two Winter Olympics, said some of the bigger challenges are off the ice.

"It's everything — lifestyle, language, dealing with reporters," Nabokov said. "You have to get comfortable. In my first couple years, everything is new, you're not comfortable, you're not yourself. You don't understand enough of the language. It takes a while, and some guys do it quickly, sometimes it takes a while."

Vasilevskiy admits all the changes make him "a bit nervous." But he's tried his best to acclimate, exploring the area in a rental car with his wife, Ksenia, whom he married seven months ago. "A good change in my life," he said, smiling.

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He has walked around International Plaza including his favorite restaurant, the Cheesecake Factory. The couple attended a Rays game. "I like baseball," Vasilevskiy said. "Sometimes it's boring, but overall it's good."

They also went to Clearwater Beach, staying just 12 minutes. "Too much sun," he said.

Tonight, the lights will shine on Vasilevskiy, who is ready.

"It's big pressure for me because everyone is looking for my first game," he said. "I think, 'Just catch the puck, and help my team win,' and that's it."