Anton Khudobin is absolutely thrilled to be back with the Boston Bruins.
Boston Bruins goaltender Anton Khudobin is getting back into the swing of things. The Khazak netminder got to experience the new ice at Warrior Arena. It’s been an interesting path back to Boston, but Khudobin’s happy to be back with the B’s.
“I always had great conversations with the players, with the coaches, with the management, no matter who it would be,” offered the 30-year old goaltender after he attended his first captain’s practice.
“I met my friends, we went on Sunday to Downtown Boston…I couldn’t believe I came back. It felt like I just came back in the season. It didn’t feel like I haven’t been here for three years.
“It’s just the comfort level, the style of city, the people around here, everything. I’m just really comfortable being inside here.”
Khudobin was a solid backup for Tuukka Rask during the shortened 2012-13 season. He played 14 games for the Black and Gold, putting up a respectable 9-4-1 (with one shutout) record. His 2.32 goals-against average and .920 save percentage was good enough for him to get a chance to be a number one NHL goaltender.
Khudobin got his number one shot, but it didn’t last long. He spent two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, but ended up losing the primary goaltender job to Cam Ward in the second season. He then spent the majority of last season playing in the AHL, but he did play nine games for the Anaheim Ducks.
Now Khudobin wants to focus on getting back into full NHL form.
“Focus on my game,” said Khudobin about his thoughts on entering the 2016-17 season. “Focus on helping the team get some more points and get higher in the standings – making playoffs always .
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The Bruins have had a serious of hot-and-cold backups for Rask these last three seasons. The B’s are hoping that Khudobin can be the ‘X factor’ that will help the Bruins back into the playoffs.
“More playing time, of course, is always good for the goalies. But I know Tuukka is going to play more and he’s No. 1, so I just focus on my game and how I’m going to help the team.”
The Boston Bruins front office trusted Khudobin a few years back. They’re more than willing to trust him again. They gave him a two-season contract.
Khudobin’s certainly excited to be back in Boston, and he wants to do all he can to get the Bruins back in the playoff race.
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“I always was saying I was really happy here,” said Khudobin. “My time in Boston, in Providence, I was really happy – with the organization, with the team, with the coaching staff, with everything.
“I was really missing this place, to be honest. So, right now, I just came back to the family.”