Biography
Ilya Samsonov - an upward star of hockey, at the very beginning career pulled out a happy ticket - a ticket to the NHL. However, the goalkeeper did not hurry with such changes, deciding to begin to gain experience and glorify the native club.Childhood and youth
Russian goalkeeper was born on February 22, 1997 in Magnitogorsk. From an early age, the boy dreamed of hockey. He asked the parents to take him to the rink, but those, although they supported the passion of the Son, worried about studying. The whole room of the child was filled with sticks, washers and posters similar topics.
Nevertheless, the future winner of the Gagarin Cup began to play sports. Moreover, from the very first yield, Ilya decided that he would be a goalkeeper. He liked to stand at the gate, and with his growth and the complex, he perfectly approached this role (now the growth of a young man is 191 cm, and weight ranges from 90-93 kg). But, in addition, Samsonov wanted to be in the spotlight, and he believed that in the image of the goalkeeper would be easier to achieve.
Of course, employment in training could not not affect their studies. However, parents, seeing an incredible desire in the eyes of the heir, waved his hand.
In addition to hockey, Ilya has been fascinated by fishing from 7 years old. Grandfather taught fish - along with him the boy got up early in the morning and drove on the reservoir. Initially, it turned out no matter, but gradually he pulled into this occupation. And now, an athlete is recognized, he gladly devotes his free time to the seat near the pond with the fishing rod.
Hockey
Professional debut of the metallurgist pupil took place to the continental hockey league (KHL). And successfully completing the 2014/15 season as part of the youth team "Steel Foxes", Ilya was wrapped in NHL. He was chosen "Washington Capitals" in the first round.Such an event gave strength to the young man. But he was not going to leave the hometown. The young man understood - to achieve the desired level, will have to work hard. In addition, the native of Magnitogorsk wanted to play for his native club, to achieve recognition there. The goalkeeper did not even come to the official interview with the representative of the teams, since at the same time passed a single exam at school.
So, luck in the Draft NHL did not affect the athlete's career. By that time he had already concluded a contract with a "metallurgist" for a period of 3 years. An interesting fact - in the history of the Magnitogorsk Club, the goalkeeper became the youngest debutant, who played the full match for Mealhelov in the framework of the country's championship on September 20, 2015.
In an interview, the hockey player admitted - the first minutes of the meeting was worried, although it was already morally ready not to just go to the replacement of Vasily Koshkin, but to play from the first minutes. The debut athlete brought victory to the team, despite the annoying goal at the very beginning.
The 2015/16 season in the club career goalkeeper marked the next achievement. This time the native of Magnitogorsk brought home the Gagarin Cup.
Trophy Ilya took home for 2 days. Of course, initially demonstrated his parents and thanked those for their support and confidence. And after - brought to an orphanage, where the guys were able to take pictures with the Cup and chat with the player "Magnitogorsk".
In 2016, Samsonov was summoned to the National Russian national team. Moreover, the coaching headquarters pointed out the first number in Ilya. Together with him, Vladislav Sukhachev and Anton Krasovekyn went to the youth world championship of the world.
The debut at the international tournament took place against the national team of Belarus. Goalkeeper missed only one puck. According to the results of the championship, Russia took a silver medal, losing Finland first place. In 2017, Samsonova again called up to the national team. This time he brought home the title of bronze winner. However, it was only the beginning of his rapid career.
In February 2017, Goalkeeper went to the Swedish stage of Eurotour. This was his debut in the adult national team. In the match against the Czech Republic from 25 shots on the goal, the goalkeeper reflected 23.
The athlete was lucky to participate in the annual tournament of the German Hockey Union. The Russian Olympic team confidently won 3 victories of three, as a result of winning the German Cup.
So for his short professional biography, the goalkeeper managed to declare himself in the international arena. And at least "Metallurg" did not want to let go of a promising player, in 2018 he still concluded a contract with Washington Capitals for 3 years.
The first time of Samsonov participated in the American Hockey League for Heersh Beres. The full debut overseas took place in the match against New York Islends in October 2019. In his first meeting, the goalkeeper overcame the excitement - he beat off 25 shots. This result allowed him to take an honorable place among the four goalkeepers from Russia, who began a career in the NHL immediately from victory.
To "Washington Capitals" there is a tradition - a newcomer gives a towel and shaving cream. These trophies have been transferred to the hockey player right during the interview. And the native of Magnitogorsk in front of the camera was incending the face of foam and continued the conversation with a journalist.
Personal life
The Ural athlete, who collapsed Slava almost in the first year of the game in the Metallurgist, did not like to advertise a personal life, although the fans knew that their idol was not alone. In an interview, Ilya was limited by the phrase "My Girl", while not disclosing the identity of the chosen.
And in 2019, Hockey player posted a photo from the wedding in an instagram account. On the picture - the young wife of Maria in a white dress and with a wedding ring on the finger. Among the guests at a solemn event, which was noted in Magnitogorsk, Kirill Caprizov, Yegor Rykov and Sergey Shumakov were noticed.
In his free from training, Samsonov is not only fishing. Another passion is hunting. Before the conclusion of the contract with Washington Capitals, an athlete with colleagues, more often with Sergey Mozakin and Jan Cowarge, repeatedly went to the moose or root. Ilya has a license, a hunting ticket and weapons.
In an interview, the young man told - in his youth he did not like to read. Now the books have become a great replacement TV for him. In the evenings, together with his wife, he prefers to discuss this or that work. In particular, the Gagarin Cup owner had to taste the work of Stephen King.
Ilya Samsonov now
The 2020/21 season began to player "Washington Capitam" intensely, adaptation as the first team number was not easy. In the match against Buffalo Seibris, the Russian goalkeeper reflected 22 throw from 26, as a result, the team of Captain Alexander Ovechkin won.And soon the name of Samsonov, as well as his colleagues Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlova and Evgenia Kuznetsova hit the news reports. It became known that they violated the COVID-19 League protocol. Athletes were together in a hotel room without masks.
On January 21, 2021, it became known - a former Metallurg player fell ill with Coronavirus. "Washington Capitam" learned about this on January 19, after which the goalkeeper went to self-insulation. By the way, no symptoms of the disease he did not notice. And in his instagram account set a photo with his wife, reassuring subscribers with the words that his state is normal.
A forced break could not not upset the team. The elimination of several strong players of the club forced the coach of Peter Lavoletta to promptly make decisions about the new composition. This experience for himself named Samsonov useful and said that he would learn from his own mistakes.
Achievements
- 2014 - Bronze Prize-winner of the Junior World Championship with Russian Profile
- 2016 - Champion of Russia with Metallurg (Magnitogorsk)
- 2016 - Gagarin Cup owner with Metallurg (Magnitogorsk)
- 2016 - Silver winner of the World Youth Championship with Russian Profile
- 2016 - Winner of the Cup of the Eastern Conference with Metallurgist (Magnitogorsk)
- 2017 - Silver winner of the Russian Championship with Metallurg (Magnitogorsk)
- 2017 - Vice Champion of the Gagarin Cup with Metallurg (Magnitogorsk)
- 2017 - Opening Cup owner with Metallurgist (Magnitogorsk)
- 2017 - Winner of the Cup of the Eastern Conference with Metallurgist (Magnitogorsk)
- 2017 - Bronze medalist of the youth championship of the world with a collector of Russia
- 2020 - Winner of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference with Washington Capitals