Object Name: Goalie Hockey Stick

Player: Nikolai Khabibulin

Team: Phoenix Coyotes

Season/Year of Use: 1999 NHL All-Star Game

Manufacturer: Bauer

Model: R-4000

Material: Fiberglass-reinforced wood

Dimensions: Total Length – 65 in (165 cm); Shaft Width – 1.5 in (3.8 cm); Paddle Length –

26 in (66 cm); Blade Length – 15 in (38 cm); Blade Height – 3 in (7.6 cm)

Signature: Black Marker on Blade Tape with “Used in 1999 All-Star Game” notation

Condition: Excellent; surface wear and puck markings consistent with game use

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Provenance

Acquired by a private collector following verified use by Nikolai Khabibulin during his tenure

with the Phoenix Coyotes in the late 1990s. The stick was donated to the Blades of Glory:

The Hockey Stick Archive by D.L. Wicker as part of its ongoing effort to document and

preserve artifacts representing Khabibulin’s career across multiple NHL teams.

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The stick’s authenticity was confirmed through photographic comparison with in-game

imagery and verified source documentation from the original collector. It stands as a

representative artifact of Khabibulin’s tenure with the Coyotes and his continued

prominence as one of the premier goaltenders of his era.

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Description and Significance

This goaltender stick, used by Nikolai Khabibulin while playing for the Phoenix Coyotes,

reflects both the design characteristics and performance adaptations of late 1990s

goaltending equipment. Its fiberglass-reinforced wooden construction typifies the balance

of strength, flexibility, and control preferred by elite netminders during that transitional

period before the widespread adoption of composite materials.

 

The artifact exhibits clear evidence of game use — including puck impact marks along the

paddle and minor edge wear — consistent with Khabibulin’s active play style. It contributes

significantly to the broader narrative of NHL goaltending evolution, showcasing the tools of

a veteran netminder whose career bridged eras of technological change in the sport.

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Storage Information

Storage Area: Warehouse B – Goaltending Equipment Wing

Fixture (Rack / Cabinet): Racking Unit G3 (“Goalie Sticks – Late 1990s to 2000s Era”)

Shelf Level: Level 2 (Mid-Shelf – Horizontal Stick Housing)

Slot / Position Number: Position 11 (Labeled “KHABIBULIN, N. – Phoenix Coyotes”)

Container Type: Custom padded horizontal archival tray with Tyvek wrap and foam

supports

Environmental Controls: Maintained at 18°C ± 2°C and 45–55% relative humidity

Handling Notes: Handle with nitrile gloves; support full shaft and paddle length; avoid

contact with autographed surfaces or any adhesive labels.

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Cataloging Information

Catalogued By: Blake Wheeler, Collections Assistant

Date of Entry: September 22, 2025

Last Condition Check: October 18, 2025

Reviewed By: Tom Barasso, Curator of Goaltending Equipment

Review Date: October 20, 2025

Notes / Comments: Artifact remains structurally stable with minor wear typical of

professional goaltender game use. Light abrasion and impact markings visible on the

paddle and blade correspond to photographic evidence of in-game use. No restoration

required at this time. Documentation of provenance and prior ownership retained in the

Khabibulin Collection file. Scheduled for next condition review in early 2027 following

environmental control recalibration for Warehouse B.