It was up-and-down rookie season for Yaroslav Askarov.<\/p>\n
The young San Jose Sharks goalie had a sensational November, posting a .944 Save %. On that hot streak, Askarov went 8-2-0 and looked poised for a breakout rookie campaign.<\/p>\n
But, the 23-year-old finished the season with an .884 Save % and 3.63 GAA. Askarov is still young and developing, but how did he assess his first full season in the NHL?<\/p>\n
Also, Askarov shared why this team felt especially close, how the team learned from a playoff push, and his thoughts on the increased Sharks fandom. Plus, he has an unnamed Russian goalie mentor?!<\/p>\n
Askarov, on playing meaningful games late in the season:<\/p>\n
It feels awesome because that\u2019s a great, big step for all our organization\u2026 We need to have that experience. And that was a great experience for us, for the team, for the coaches, for players. For all [of the] organization.<\/p>\n
Askarov, on what he learned in those games:<\/p>\n
Some different game scenarios during the games, different plays\u2026 Vision\u2026 Just [going] through it and you getting better every day.<\/p>\n
Askarov, on what was special about this season:<\/p>\n
Just [to] be part of the team. That\u2019s probably the best part about this team. This team means more than just [the] team. It\u2019s [a] super, super close group. That\u2026 is special, because, it\u2019s not [like this] every year. I\u2019ve been in different teams too, and not every year [the team is close] like that, and that\u2019s something special.<\/p>\n
Askarov, on if he put a lot of pressure on himself this season:<\/p>\n
To be honest, no. I just tried to do my best on the ice. Every game, try to do my best and give the team a chance to get points.<\/p>\n
Askarov, on if there are any goalies who help him in the offseason:<\/p>\n
To be honest, we didn\u2019t talk yet. We didn\u2019t talk yet, but in the future, I hope so\u2026 I\u2019m not gonna tell like [his] last name, but you guys know him. So, [I\u2019ll] skate this summer with him, [it\u2019s a] big goalie.<\/p>\n
Askarov, on the San Jose Sharks fans this season:<\/p>\n
[Fans were] awesome. They were really good. They push us every game, and they\u2019ve been like our sixth player on the ice.<\/p>\n
Askarov, on the advice that San Jose Sharks director of goaltending Evgeni Nabokov gives him:<\/p>\n
Work on certain details, and just trying to improve every day. Try to be a better version of yourself every day. And have fun.<\/p>\n