Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin up for ESPY, and Dylan Garand wins CHL goalie of the year

On Tuesday, Igor Shesterkin was named a finalist for an ESPY in the category of NHL Player of the Year. Meanwhile, prospect Dylan Garand took home CHL Goaltender of the Year honors.

The New York Rangers goaltending situation seems to be one of the best in the entire league. Despite having to move backup Alexandar Georgiev, their present and future may very well be an embarrassment of riches.

Igor Shesterkin up for an ESPY

The accolades for an incredible season continue to roll for goaltender Igor Shesterkin. After winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender and finishing third in voting for the Hart Trophy as MVP, he is now up for an ESPY.

Here are ESPN’s finalists for Best NHL Player:

• Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
• Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
• Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
• Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers

Shesterkin took home his first Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie by a landslide.

The award is voted on by all 32 NHL general managers and he received 29 first-place votes. Shesterkin finished with 154 total points (29-3-0), 101 more points than second-place finisher Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames. Nashville Predators Juuse Saros finished third.

Shesterkin had a monster season with a 36-13-4 record. He also led the league in both GAA (2.07) and SV% (.935). A remarkable accomplishment in a season where scoring was up. Per Hockey-Reference, in 2021-22 the 3.14 goals per game average matched the output of the 1995-96 campaign. The NHL has only cracked over 3 goals per game three other times in that 26 year span.

“It’s a great honor for me to be here,” Shesterkin said at the NHL Awards Show. “I want to say to Just Saros and Jacob Markstrom you’re both incredible goalies and could each be standing here right now.”