Andrei Vasilevskiy Claims Second Vezina Trophy in Unique Reveal

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has been awarded the 2025-2026 Vezina Trophy, recognizing him as the top goaltender in the NHL. This marks the second time in his 12-year career that he has received this prestigious award. In a playful twist, the Lightning decided to prank Vasilevskiy during the announcement rather than simply presenting the trophy.

Knowing Vasilevskiy’s dedication to his training, the team arranged for local law enforcement to create a scenario at the practice facility. The goalie, who is well-known for his relentless work ethic, was approached by officers who claimed to need to discuss his vehicle parked outside. They fabricated a story about a criminal fleeing into the parking area, and a drug dog had supposedly indicated something suspicious in his car.

When the officers searched his vehicle, they discovered a large bag in the front seat that Vasilevskiy was completely unaware of. After removing the bag, they revealed the Vezina Trophy, much to his surprise. Vasilevskiy humorously remarked, “I was just happy that my car was in one piece. I didn’t want to go through, like, the insurance process when I heard that this suspicious object in my car. It’s probably not gonna end well.”

Following the laughter, Vasilevskiy reflected on the significance of winning the trophy again, stating, “As a professional goalie who plays in the NHL, it’s one of your ultimate goals for sure to win the [Vezina] Award. But, it’s all about the team, and you will never win this award without a good team in front of you. That means a lot to me.”

This accolade follows his first Vezina win in 2019, where he achieved a 39-10-4 record in 53 games. During the recent season, Vasilevskiy played 58 games, boasting a record of 39-15-4 with a 91.1% save percentage and an impressive 2.31 goals-against average. The Lightning finished the season with a 50-26-6 record, qualifying for the playoffs but ultimately being eliminated in the second round. Vasilevskiy is under an 8-year, $76 million contract that runs through the 2028 season.