Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin resumes hockey career at 50 years old!

“The Bulin Wall” is back on the ice. The KHL account on X, formerly known as Twitter, has confirmed that veteran netminder Nikolai Khabibulin has resumed his hockey career, signing a contract with the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.

Khabibulin will turn 51 in just over two weeks. He last played professionally in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013-14 season when he started in just four games with abysmal stats. It was his second stint with the Hawks, and let’s just say his first was way better on the record sheet.

From the 2009-10 season to the 2012-13 season Khabibulin did what he could to help the Edmonton Oilers win, however the Canadian club was in full rebuild and it was a hard ask for the netminder.

"The Bulin Wall" was especially exceptional during his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning and in 2004, led the team to the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Khabibulin recorded five shutouts in 23 playoff games, including three shutouts in the first round against the New York Islanders (tied for an NHL record for most shutouts in a playoff round).

Khabibulin, who was one of many Russian players to return home during the 2004-05 lockout, also played for the Winnipeg Jets and Phoenix Coyotes during his NHL career.

Now it’s a new - and late - chapter for the goalie as he will join the Torpedo to extend his professional hockey career.

The Wall is standing strong and proud with his new deal.

Recommended articles:

• Sharks D Nikolai Knyzhov suffers gruesome injury
• Zac Rinaldo and Kyle Clifford drop the gloves during a T.V. Timeout!
• Report: Panthers invite longtime KHL d-man to boost their lineup