Connor Hellebuyck, Ilya Sorokin and Linus Ullmark were named finalists for the Vezina Trophy on Thursday.
The winner of the award, which is given annually to the goalie voted the best at his position by NHL general managers, will be announced as part of the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 26 (8 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS).
Hellebuyck went 37-25-2 with a 2.49 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and four shutouts in 64 games with the Winnipeg Jets this season. He was tied for third in wins with Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars and Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers, tied with Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators for most games, and was tied with Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins for fourth in save percentage among goalies to play at least 20 games.
Hellebuyck faced the third-most shots (1,964) and made the second-most saves (1,807). He had six games with at least 40 saves, going 5-0-1. He had led the NHL in shots against and saves in each of the previous four seasons.
A three-time finalist, Hellebuyck won the Vezina in 2019-20 and was runner-up in 2017-18.
Sorokin was 31-22-7 with a 2.34 GAA, .924 save percentage and an NHL-best six shutouts in 62 games (60 starts) for the New York Islanders this season. He was third in save percentage and sixth in GAA among goalies to play at least 20 games and tied for third in games played.
Sorokin made at least 30 saves in 25 games and was 5-0-2 when making at least 40 saves in a game this season.
A first-time finalist, Sorokin would be the first Islanders goalie to win the award since Billy Smith in 1981-82. Prior to that season, the Vezina was awarded to the goalie or goalies of the team allowing the fewest goals during the regular season.
Ullmark, who tied for the NHL lead in wins with Alexandar Georgiev of the Colorado Avalanche, was 40-6-1 and led the NHL in GAA (1.89) and save percentage (.938) in 49 games (48 starts) for the Bruins, helping them set NHL records with 65 wins and 135 points this season. Ullmark and Swayman shared the William M. Jennings Trophy for helping the Bruins allow an NHL-low 177 goals (including shootout-deciding goals).
Ullmark, who became the fastest goalie in NHL history to reach 40 wins (in his 49th game), began the season 22-1-1 and lost two straight games only once all season. He allowed two goals or fewer in 36 of his 49 games.
A first-time finalist, Ullmark would be the first Bruins goalie to win the award since Tuukka Rask in 2013-14.
Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy last season.
