Ilya Sorokin Bio
Ilya Igorevich Sorokin (born 4 August 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 78th overall by the Islanders in the 2014 NHL entry draft, Sorokin spent several seasons developing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) before making his NHL debut in January 2021. He has established himself as one of the premier goaltenders in professional hockey, earning Vezina Trophy recognition and setting franchise records with the Islanders.
Early Life and Background
Ilya Igorevich Sorokin was born on 4 August 1995 in Mezhdurechensk, Russia, a city in the Kemerovo Oblast region of southwestern Siberia. Growing up in Mezhdurechensk, Sorokin began his hockey journey with local club Vympel Mezhdurechensk, where he developed his fundamental skills as a goaltender. His early exposure to competitive hockey in Russia provided a strong foundation for his future professional career.
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) and catching left, Sorokin possessed the physical attributes that would later serve him well at the highest levels of the sport. His development through youth hockey in Russia prepared him for the transition to professional competition at a young age.
Path to Hockey
Sorokin advanced to professional hockey at just 17 years of age when he joined KHL club Metallurg Novokuznetsk in 2012. This early promotion to a major professional league demonstrated the exceptional talent that scouts had identified in the young goaltender. His progression through the Russian hockey system reflected both his individual skill and the strong tradition of developing elite goaltenders in Russia.
The experience gained during his developmental years with Metallurg Novokuznetsk proved invaluable. Facing experienced professional players in the KHL while still a teenager accelerated Sorokin’s maturation as a goaltender and prepared him for the challenges of elite competition that would follow in his career.
Ilya Sorokin Career
KHL Career (2012–2020)
Sorokin made his professional and KHL debut with Metallurg Novokuznetsk during the 2012–13 season, appearing in relief during an 8–6 defeat to Barys Astana on 7 January 2013. Over the following seasons with Novokuznetsk, he continued to develop his craft and showcase his abilities as a promising young goaltender in one of the world’s premier professional hockey leagues outside the NHL.
During the 2014–15 season, Sorokin appeared in 22 games before he was traded to CSKA Moscow on 24 December 2014 in exchange for financial compensation. The move to CSKA Moscow, a perennial powerhouse in Russian hockey, represented a significant step forward in his career. He signed a three-year contract extension with CSKA Moscow on 10 June 2017, reflecting the club’s confidence in his abilities.
CSKA Moscow Breakthrough and Gagarin Cup (2015–2020)
The years Sorokin spent with CSKA Moscow proved to be the most successful of his KHL career. Playing behind one of the league’s strongest teams, he refined his skills against top competition while contributing to the team’s success. His performance consistently ranked among the league’s best goaltenders during this period.
In 2019, Sorokin achieved the pinnacle of KHL success when he won the Gagarin Cup with CSKA Moscow. Beyond the championship victory, he was named most valuable player of the 2019 Gagarin Cup playoffs, earning the playoff MVP award. This achievement solidified his reputation as an elite goaltender capable of performing at the highest level during crucial moments. The Gagarin Cup championship represented the culmination of his development in Russian hockey and positioned him as a future NHL star.
New York Islanders Era (2020–Present)
On 13 July 2020, Sorokin signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the New York Islanders, the NHL club that had selected him six years earlier in the 2014 NHL entry draft. Due to COVID-19 pandemic protocols, he was initially ineligible to participate in the Return to Play format. The contract completed his entry-level status and made him a restricted free agent, after which he signed a one-year, $2 million contract extension for the 2020–21 season.
Sorokin made his NHL and Islanders debut on 16 January 2021, against the New York Rangers. Originally slated to be the backup, he was pressed into starting duty when Semyon Varlamov was injured during warmups. Despite the Islanders losing 5–0, with Sorokin allowing five goals on 31 shots, this debut marked the beginning of his NHL career.
His first NHL win and shutout came on 16 February 2021, in the Islanders’ 3–0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Sorokin made 20 saves in that milestone performance. He later made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1, winning 4–3 in overtime. After assuming the starting role, he won Games 4 through 6, helping the Islanders capture the series.
On 1 September 2021, Sorokin was re-signed to a three-year, $12 million contract by the Islanders, securing his future with the franchise. On 1 July 2023, he signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension through the 2030–31 season, reflecting the organization’s long-term commitment to him as their franchise goaltender.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sorokin is recognized for his exceptional athleticism, quick reflexes, and strong positional play. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, he uses his size effectively to cover the net while maintaining the mobility to challenge shooters. His performance in high-pressure situations, particularly evident during the 2021 playoffs, demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when it matters most. The consistency of his technique and his calm demeanor under pressure have become hallmarks of his style.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sorokin’s first NHL point came on 9 March 2023, when he received an assist after poke-checking a puck that led to a Brock Nelson breakaway and the game-winning goal in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins. During the 2022–23 season, he recorded a 31–22–7 record with a .924 save percentage and led the league with six shutouts, earning recognition as a Vezina Trophy finalist. On 1 March 2025, Sorokin became the 17th goaltender in NHL history to be credited with a goal after making a save that resulted in the puck going into the Nashville Predators’ net. On 6 April 2025, he was the goaltender on duty when Alexander Ovechkin scored his 895th career NHL goal, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.
Ilya Sorokin Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning both the KHL and NHL, Sorokin has accumulated significant accomplishments. His championship success in the KHL combined with his established NHL career with the Islanders demonstrates his status as one of the top goaltenders in professional hockey.
KHL Highlights
Sorokin’s most significant career achievement in the KHL came in 2019 when he won the Gagarin Cup with CSKA Moscow and earned playoff MVP honors. This championship victory represented the pinnacle of his European career and validated his status as an elite goaltender before transitioning to North American hockey.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Sorokin has quickly established himself as a top-tier goaltender. His 2022–23 season performance (31 wins, .924 save percentage, 6 shutouts) earned him Vezina Trophy finalist recognition. His milestone moments include first NHL win (16 February 2021 vs Buffalo), first career shutout (same game), first NHL point (9 March 2023 vs Pittsburgh), and becoming the 17th goaltender in NHL history to be credited with a goal (1 March 2025 vs Nashville).
International Achievements
Sorokin represented the Olympic Athletes from Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The team won the gold medal in the tournament, providing Sorokin with international championship experience at the sport’s highest amateur level.
Ilya Sorokin Family
Family Background
Public information regarding Sorokin’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or racing lineage, is not extensively documented in available sources. He was born and raised in Mezhdurechensk, Russia, where his hockey career began with local club Vympel Mezhdurechensk.
Personal Life
Sorokin’s personal life outside of hockey remains largely private. As of available information, his marital status and family details have not been publicly disclosed. He continues to focus on his professional career with the New York Islanders while residing in the New York area during the NHL season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NHL season featured several notable moments for Sorokin and the New York Islanders. On 1 March 2025, Sorokin achieved a historic milestone by becoming the 17th goaltender in NHL history to be credited with a goal, an extremely rare occurrence in professional hockey. The unusual play saw Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos accidentally direct the puck into his own net after Sorokin made a save.
Later in the season, on 6 April 2025, Sorokin was the opposing goaltender when Alexander Ovechkin scored his record-breaking 895th career NHL goal, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s longstanding all-time record. Sorokin became the 183rd goaltender to allow a goal from Ovechkin during his pursuit of the record.
On 6 December 2025, Sorokin recorded his 25th career shutout, tying Chico Resch for the most shutouts in Islanders franchise history, in a 2–0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He surpassed this milestone on 6 January 2026 with his 26th career shutout in a 9–0 win over the New Jersey Devils, becoming the Islanders’ all-time leader in shutouts. These achievements underscore Sorokin’s consistent excellence and his growing legacy as one of the greatest goaltenders in franchise history.