The Scripps National Spelling Bee ended in a tie this year. They said they ran out of words to give the kids. Here’s a free idea for them; when you are running low and getting to the end, switch to hockey player’s last names for championship-level words. Even savvy hockey fans would have trouble correctly spelling V-a-s-i-l-e-v-s-k-i-y unless they had his hockey card in their hand…

Even though Andrei Vasilveskiy spent nine minutes on the ice during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final he managed to walk away with the win when the game was over and looked sharp as Chicago poured it on late. It was a remarkable feat because he was the first goalie to earn his first career playoff win in relief in the Stanley Cup Final since Lester Patrick did it with the New York Rangers in 1928. He turned away all five shots and even helped kill of two power plays!

In Game 3 he suffered defeat, but only allowed two goals and again, looked very good. Oh, and did I mention, he is just 20-years-old!

“If you tell me we’re going to come in and he’s going to give up two goals, that’s a hell of a job in my book,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. “He showed the pinnacle of the sport that he can play. That’s a pretty big achievement for a 20-year-old.”

So here is what we know:

1. Vasilevskiy is good and is only going to get better.
2. Ben Bishop will not be around forever even though he is under contract for two more years.
3. The Tampa Bay Lightning are going to be good for years to come with this solidly built, young team.
4. Collectors like to collect good goalies.
5. You had better get Andrei Vasilevskiy’s rookie cards now, while you still can! You can find them in 2014-15 NHL® offerings from Upper Deck.

After an impressive career in Russia, Andrei was the first goalie selected in the 2012 NHL® Draft and is now the top goalie prospect in the entire league.  He has won medals in three World Junior Championships while posting amazing stat lines in those tournaments. Vasilevskiy is a big and quick goaltender that can make fantastic saves with his speed and athleticism. He has talent, and now he is getting INCREDIBLE experience that will serve him well for years to come!