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Deadspin | Vezina finalists: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin, Jeremy Swayman  Apr 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images   Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy on Wednesday.  New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman also were named as finalists for the award, which is presented annually to the league’s top goaltender during the regular season. The award, voted on by the NHL’s general managers, will be announced at a later date.  Vasilevskiy, 31, led all goaltenders with 39 wins, while his 2.31 goals-against average was second-best in the NHL. He previously won the award in 2019 after going 39-10-4 with a 2.40 GAA and .925 save percentage.  Sorokin, 30, posted a 29-24-2 record with a league-best seven shutouts, a 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage this season. He is bidding to become the first Islanders goalie to win the award since Hall of Famer Billy Smith in 1981-82.   Swayman, 27, went 31-18-4 with a 2.71 GAA and .908 save percentage this season. The first-time finalist led the league with 38 starts with at least a .900 save percentage.  Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck won both the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP last season.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Vezina #finalists #Andrei #Vasilevskiy #Ilya #Sorokin #Jeremy #Swayman

Deadspin | Vezina finalists: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin, Jeremy Swayman
Deadspin | Vezina finalists: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin, Jeremy Swayman  Apr 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images   Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy on Wednesday.  New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman also were named as finalists for the award, which is presented annually to the league’s top goaltender during the regular season. The award, voted on by the NHL’s general managers, will be announced at a later date.  Vasilevskiy, 31, led all goaltenders with 39 wins, while his 2.31 goals-against average was second-best in the NHL. He previously won the award in 2019 after going 39-10-4 with a 2.40 GAA and .925 save percentage.  Sorokin, 30, posted a 29-24-2 record with a league-best seven shutouts, a 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage this season. He is bidding to become the first Islanders goalie to win the award since Hall of Famer Billy Smith in 1981-82.   Swayman, 27, went 31-18-4 with a 2.71 GAA and .908 save percentage this season. The first-time finalist led the league with 38 starts with at least a .900 save percentage.  Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck won both the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP last season.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Vezina #finalists #Andrei #Vasilevskiy #Ilya #Sorokin #Jeremy #SwaymanApr 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy on Wednesday.

New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman also were named as finalists for the award, which is presented annually to the league’s top goaltender during the regular season. The award, voted on by the NHL’s general managers, will be announced at a later date.

Vasilevskiy, 31, led all goaltenders with 39 wins, while his 2.31 goals-against average was second-best in the NHL. He previously won the award in 2019 after going 39-10-4 with a 2.40 GAA and .925 save percentage.


Sorokin, 30, posted a 29-24-2 record with a league-best seven shutouts, a 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage this season. He is bidding to become the first Islanders goalie to win the award since Hall of Famer Billy Smith in 1981-82.

Swayman, 27, went 31-18-4 with a 2.71 GAA and .908 save percentage this season. The first-time finalist led the league with 38 starts with at least a .900 save percentage.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck won both the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP last season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Vezina #finalists #Andrei #Vasilevskiy #Ilya #Sorokin #Jeremy #Swayman

Apr 26, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy on Wednesday.

New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman also were named as finalists for the award, which is presented annually to the league’s top goaltender during the regular season. The award, voted on by the NHL’s general managers, will be announced at a later date.

Vasilevskiy, 31, led all goaltenders with 39 wins, while his 2.31 goals-against average was second-best in the NHL. He previously won the award in 2019 after going 39-10-4 with a 2.40 GAA and .925 save percentage.

Sorokin, 30, posted a 29-24-2 record with a league-best seven shutouts, a 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage this season. He is bidding to become the first Islanders goalie to win the award since Hall of Famer Billy Smith in 1981-82.

Swayman, 27, went 31-18-4 with a 2.71 GAA and .908 save percentage this season. The first-time finalist led the league with 38 starts with at least a .900 save percentage.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck won both the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP last season.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Vezina #finalists #Andrei #Vasilevskiy #Ilya #Sorokin #Jeremy #Swayman

Deadspin | Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores  Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.  The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.  “He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”  Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.  “He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”  Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.   “He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”  Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.   Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.  Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #FloresApr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.

“He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.

“He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”


Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.

“He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”

Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.

Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #Flores">Deadspin | Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores  Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.  The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.  “He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”  Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.  “He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”  Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.   “He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”  Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.   Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.  Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #Flores

Deadspin | Two-way Florida football player ranked No. 1 in 2028 class by 247Sports  A general view during the South Bend Riley-South Bend Washington high school football game on Friday, September 23, 2022, at TCU School Field in South Bend, Indiana.

South Bend Riley Vs South Bend Washington   A’mir Sears, a rising high school junior being compared to two-way NFL player Travis Hunter, is the No. 1 player in the Class of 2028, according to 247Sports, which released its first rankings for the group on Wednesday.  He also received the first — and only, for now — 5-star ranking in the class.  Listed at 6-foot-1, 178 pounds, Sears was a wide receiver and defensive back at West Broward High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla., last fall, leading the school to its first appearance in the state championship game in the 6A division. According to 247Sports, he had 61 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups on defense as a sophomore. On the other side of the ball, he caught 49 passes for 942 yards with 11 touchdowns.  After the conclusion of the 2025 season, Sears announced he would be playing his final two high school seasons at sports powerhouse Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. Most recently, that’s the school that sent basketball players Cameron and Cayden Boozer to Duke, and where Fernando Mendoza laid the foundation for winning the Heisman Trophy and being selected No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft.  Here are the top 10 players, as ranked by 247Sports. College coaches and recruiters already know these names well, and fans will learn them over the next two high school seasons.  1. A’mir Sears, athlete, Christopher Columbus (Miami)  2. Jayden Wade, quarterback, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). Committed to Georgia.  3. Kameron McGee, edge, Brother Rice (Chicago)   4. Brysen Wright, wide receiver, Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.)  5. Christopher Vargas, quarterback, St. John’s Prep (Danvers, Mass.)  6. Asher Ghioto, edge, The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.)  7. Darieon Prescott, edge, Bolingbrook (Bolingbrook, Ill.)  8. Maui Tonata, offensive tackle, Orem (Orem, Utah)  9. Tyzon Swann, defensive lineman, Henry E. Lackey (Indian Head, Md.)  10. Casey Barner, safety, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Twoway #Florida #football #player #ranked #class #247SportsA general view during the South Bend Riley-South Bend Washington high school football game on Friday, September 23, 2022, at TCU School Field in South Bend, Indiana. South Bend Riley Vs South Bend Washington

A’mir Sears, a rising high school junior being compared to two-way NFL player Travis Hunter, is the No. 1 player in the Class of 2028, according to 247Sports, which released its first rankings for the group on Wednesday.

He also received the first — and only, for now — 5-star ranking in the class.

Listed at 6-foot-1, 178 pounds, Sears was a wide receiver and defensive back at West Broward High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla., last fall, leading the school to its first appearance in the state championship game in the 6A division. According to 247Sports, he had 61 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups on defense as a sophomore. On the other side of the ball, he caught 49 passes for 942 yards with 11 touchdowns.

After the conclusion of the 2025 season, Sears announced he would be playing his final two high school seasons at sports powerhouse Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. Most recently, that’s the school that sent basketball players Cameron and Cayden Boozer to Duke, and where Fernando Mendoza laid the foundation for winning the Heisman Trophy and being selected No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Here are the top 10 players, as ranked by 247Sports. College coaches and recruiters already know these names well, and fans will learn them over the next two high school seasons.

1. A’mir Sears, athlete, Christopher Columbus (Miami)

2. Jayden Wade, quarterback, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). Committed to Georgia.


3. Kameron McGee, edge, Brother Rice (Chicago)

4. Brysen Wright, wide receiver, Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.)

5. Christopher Vargas, quarterback, St. John’s Prep (Danvers, Mass.)

6. Asher Ghioto, edge, The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.)

7. Darieon Prescott, edge, Bolingbrook (Bolingbrook, Ill.)

8. Maui Tonata, offensive tackle, Orem (Orem, Utah)

9. Tyzon Swann, defensive lineman, Henry E. Lackey (Indian Head, Md.)

10. Casey Barner, safety, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Twoway #Florida #football #player #ranked #class #247Sports">Deadspin | Two-way Florida football player ranked No. 1 in 2028 class by 247Sports  A general view during the South Bend Riley-South Bend Washington high school football game on Friday, September 23, 2022, at TCU School Field in South Bend, Indiana.

South Bend Riley Vs South Bend Washington   A’mir Sears, a rising high school junior being compared to two-way NFL player Travis Hunter, is the No. 1 player in the Class of 2028, according to 247Sports, which released its first rankings for the group on Wednesday.  He also received the first — and only, for now — 5-star ranking in the class.  Listed at 6-foot-1, 178 pounds, Sears was a wide receiver and defensive back at West Broward High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla., last fall, leading the school to its first appearance in the state championship game in the 6A division. According to 247Sports, he had 61 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups on defense as a sophomore. On the other side of the ball, he caught 49 passes for 942 yards with 11 touchdowns.  After the conclusion of the 2025 season, Sears announced he would be playing his final two high school seasons at sports powerhouse Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. Most recently, that’s the school that sent basketball players Cameron and Cayden Boozer to Duke, and where Fernando Mendoza laid the foundation for winning the Heisman Trophy and being selected No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft.  Here are the top 10 players, as ranked by 247Sports. College coaches and recruiters already know these names well, and fans will learn them over the next two high school seasons.  1. A’mir Sears, athlete, Christopher Columbus (Miami)  2. Jayden Wade, quarterback, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). Committed to Georgia.  3. Kameron McGee, edge, Brother Rice (Chicago)   4. Brysen Wright, wide receiver, Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.)  5. Christopher Vargas, quarterback, St. John’s Prep (Danvers, Mass.)  6. Asher Ghioto, edge, The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.)  7. Darieon Prescott, edge, Bolingbrook (Bolingbrook, Ill.)  8. Maui Tonata, offensive tackle, Orem (Orem, Utah)  9. Tyzon Swann, defensive lineman, Henry E. Lackey (Indian Head, Md.)  10. Casey Barner, safety, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Twoway #Florida #football #player #ranked #class #247Sports

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