Anton Khudobin is retiring after a 14-year NHL career. The 39-year old spent last season in the All-Russian Hockey League. Khudobin last played in the NHL during the 2022-23 season, in which he appeared in a game with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Khudobin Retires
Longtime NHL netminder Anton Khudobin has retired after 14 seasons.
More on Khudobin for @BreakawayOnSI: https://t.co/JZoFa5Lm36
— Adam Waxman (@adamwaxman10) August 3, 2025
A fan favorite in the league, Khudobin retires with a 114-92-33 record to go alongside a .916 save percentage and a 2.52 goals against average. He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2004 and his NHL debut with the team in the 2009-10 season. Khudobin also played for the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, and the aforementioned stint in Chicago.
Best Season
His best season was in 2019-20. He went 16-8-4 in 26 games. He posted a 930 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average. Furthermore, Khudobin helped the Stars reach the Stanley Cup Final. Unfortunately for the team, they were defeated in six games.
“Dobby is a Free Elf!”
Khudobin was given a nickname by teammate Alexander Radulov in 2018 that would inspire Khudobin’s goalie mask artwork. For reasons seemingly unknown, Radulov bestowed the nickname, “Dobby,” upon Khudobin. Despite never reading the books or seeing the movies, Khudobin was aware he shared the nickname with the popular Harry Potter character.
In 2018, Khudobin debuted his new goalie mask. The mask included a depiction of Dobby on on side and a Stars-themed sock on the other.
Dobby (Anton Khudobin) is a free goalie. ❇️
(? Sébastien Gervais, ? @Sylabrush) pic.twitter.com/eAPSW4JctF
— NHL (@NHL) September 26, 2019
Khudobin retires after giving Stars fans fond memories in 2020. For hockey and Harry Potter fans, the image of Dobby on his mask will always be appreciated.
Perhaps now that he has time on his hands, the goaltender will start reading the famous books and seeing the movies. However, we do suggest starting with the books, Anton.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron- Imagn Images
