Andrei Vasilevskiy is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Widely regarded as one of the top goaltenders in the league, he is known by his nicknames “Big Cat” and “Vasy.” Vasilevskiy led the NHL in wins in 2018 (tied with Connor Hellebuyck), 2019, and 2020. He earned the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender for the 2018–19 season. In 2020, he played a key role in leading the Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Andrei Andreyevich Vasilevskiy was born on July 25, 1994, in Tyumen, Russia. His father, Andrei Vasilevskiy Sr., was a professional goaltender who competed in the Russian Superleague with Salavat Yulaev Ufa. His mother’s name is Liudmila Vasilevskaya. Following in his father’s footsteps, Vasilevskiy began playing hockey at an early age. During the 2009–2010 season, he played for both Salavat Yulaev Ufa U16 in the Russia U16 league and for Tolpar Ufa in the MHL (Minor Hockey League).
He was selected in the first round, seventh overall, by Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the 2011 KHL Junior Draft, further signaling his potential as a standout goaltending prospect.
Vasilevskiy was drafted 19th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. On May 6, 2014, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Lightning. Later that year, he was assigned to the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
In December 2014, he was named CCM/AHL Player of the Week after recording a 29-save shutout against the Springfield Falcons, ending their 11-game winning streak. The following month, he earned the title of AHL Goaltender of the Month for December, becoming the first Syracuse goaltender to win the award since Karl Goehring in March 2008.
In April 2017, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation selected Vasilevskiy for the national team participating in the 2017 IIHF World Championship. His Lightning teammate Nikita Kucherov also competed in the tournament. Vasilevskiy's continued excellence led to him winning the prestigious Vezina Trophy in June 2019, recognizing him as the NHL’s top goaltender for the 2018–19 season.
That same year, teammate Kucherov earned both the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP and the Ted Lindsay Award, based on votes by his fellow players.
| Birth Date: | 25 Jul, 1994 |
| Age: | 26 yrs |
| Occupations: | Ice hockey player |
| Citizenship: | Russia |
| Birth Place: | Tyumen |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | Russian ice hockey goaltender |
| Net Worth 2021: | 8 million |
