Ilya Sorokin's New Goalie Mask An Ode To Former Islander Evgeni Nabokov

Ilya Sorokin, who is 100 percent healthy to begin the season, is rocking a new mask.

Stefen Rosner

David Kolb

, and

The Elmonters

Oct 08, 2024

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Before we get to Ilya Sorokin’s new mask, catch up on all the news from a busy Monday, starting with the opening night roster being announced and Pierre Engvall clearing waivers:

ELMONT, NY — When Ilya Sorokin took the ice on Oct. 3 for his first practice back after fully recovering from offseason back surgery, the New York Islanders netminder was rocking a new helmet.

Or so we thought.

After the skate, I asked Sorokin about the design, and he shared that he had been wearing an old helmet from a few years ago while he awaited the arrival of his new mask.

“I wait for it in the mail,” Sorokin said. “They are shipping it but it has not come yet. You’ll see it this week or next week.”

Not only did the mask come in on Sunday ahead of the Islanders’ practice at UBS Arena in front of season-ticket holders, but he told me to check it out.

Sorokin was kind enough to let me take a few pictures:

I asked him about the design. It’s an ode to a former Islanders netminder.

“It’s for Nabby,” Sorokin said.

Nabby, otherwise known as Evgeni Nabokov, played three of his 14 NHL seasons on Long Island. In 123 games in Blue & Orange, Nabokov played to a 2.59 GAA with a .910 SV% and nine shutouts.

Here’s the helmet Sorokin mimicked:

We reached out to Nabokov to get his thoughts on Sorokin donning his design:

“I never can find the right words in a situation like this,” Nabokov told The Elmonters. "I am honored that he is doing this. When we play, we don’t usually understand how many kids may watch us and wanna be a hockey player and play at the highest level. It’s really special when one of the best goalies in the NHL is doing this type of honor.”

The artist, Dave Art, had this to say about Sorokin:

“Ilya Sorokin had such an awesome idea for his new New York Islanders mask. A design inspired by and paying tribute to Evgeni Nabokov‘s old epic Islanders’ mask with skulls. All created in Sorokin’s own style. A design with classic skulls painted in strong retro touch, with very strong hockey contrasts. Thank you Ilya for the pain ride.”

For more on Sorokin’s helmet and information on Semyon Varlamov’s new mask, check out the Islanders story on him HERE.

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Jelly Roll shows off Islanders gear as he heads to the stage for last night’s show at UBS Arena!

Has he been shopping at the Isles Lab?

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Healthy options at UBS Arena in 2024-2025

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