Top 10 NHL Goalies of All Time
Hi, my name is Emily Johnson and I’m a huge fan of ice hockey. As a goalie myself, I’ve always been fascinated by the best goalies in the NHL. In this article, I’m going to share with you my personal top 10 list of the greatest NHL goalies of all time.
Main Curiosities, Top Statistics, Facts, and Interesting Information
- The first NHL game was played on December 19, 1917.
- The first NHL goalie to wear a mask in a game was Jacques Plante in 1959.
- Patrick Roy holds the record for the most career wins by a goalie with 551.
- Martin Brodeur has the most career shutouts with 125.
- Terry Sawchuk has the best career goals against average (GAA) with 2.51.
- Ken Dryden won six Stanley Cups in just eight seasons.
- Dominik Hasek won two Hart Trophies as the NHL’s most valuable player.
- Ed Belfour won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie twice.
- Jacques Plante won the Vezina Trophy seven times.
- Glenn Hall played in 502 consecutive games without a mask.
10. Curtis Joseph
Curtis Joseph, also known as Cujo, played for six different teams during his 19-year NHL career. He finished his career with 454 wins, which is fourth all-time. Joseph was known for his acrobatic saves and his ability to steal games for his team. I remember watching him play when I was younger and being amazed at some of the saves he made.
9. Billy Smith
Billy Smith played for the New York Islanders during their dynasty years in the early 1980s. He won four Stanley Cups with the team and was known for his aggressive style of play. Smith was not afraid to use his stick to protect his crease, which earned him the nickname Battlin’ Billy. His 88 playoff wins are still a record for a goalie.
8. Grant Fuhr
Grant Fuhr was the backbone of the Edmonton Oilers during their dynasty years in the 1980s. He won five Stanley Cups with the team and was known for his quick reflexes and ability to make big saves when it mattered most. Fuhr was also a pioneer for black players in the NHL and paved the way for future generations.
7. Bernie Parent
Bernie Parent played for the Philadelphia Flyers during their back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in the mid-1970s. He was known for his cool demeanor and his ability to make difficult saves look easy. Parent won two Conn Smythe Trophies as the most valuable player in the playoffs and finished his career with a 2.55 GAA.
6. Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy is widely regarded as one of the best goalies in NHL history. He won four Stanley Cups during his career, two with the Montreal Canadiens and two with the Colorado Avalanche. Roy was known for his fiery personality and his ability to make big saves in clutch situations. He retired with a record 151 playoff wins.
5. Jacques Plante
Jacques Plante was not only one of the greatest goalies of all time, but also a pioneer for the position. He was the first goalie to wear a mask in a game and was known for his innovative style of play. Plante won six Stanley Cups during his career and was a seven-time Vezina Trophy winner. He finished his career with a 2.38 GAA.
4. Ken Dryden
Ken Dryden played for the Montreal Canadiens during their dynasty years in the 1970s. He won six Stanley Cups in just eight seasons and was known for his calm demeanor and his ability to make difficult saves look easy. Dryden retired with a 2.24 GAA and a .917 save percentage, both of which are among the best in NHL history.
3. Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hasek, also known as The Dominator, was one of the most unorthodox goalies in NHL history. He was known for his acrobatic saves and his ability to make saves with any part of his body. Hasek won two Hart Trophies as the NHL’s most valuable player and is the only goalie to win the award twice. He finished his career with a 2.20 GAA and a .922 save percentage.
2. Ed Belfour
Ed Belfour, also known as Eddie the Eagle, played for five different teams during his 17-year NHL career. He won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie twice and finished his career with 484 wins, which is third all-time. Belfour was known for his competitiveness and his ability to make big saves in clutch situations.
1. Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur is the greatest goalie in NHL history in my opinion. He played for the New Jersey Devils for 21 seasons and won three Stanley Cups with the team. Brodeur holds the record for the most career wins by a goalie with 691 and the most career shutouts with 125. He was known for his positional play and his ability to read the game. Brodeur also revolutionized the position with his ability to play the puck and start the transition from defense to offense.
FAQs
Who is the greatest NHL goalie of all time?
In my opinion, the greatest NHL goalie of all time is Martin Brodeur. He holds the records for the most career wins and the most career shutouts, and he revolutionized the position with his ability to play the puck.
Who has the most career wins by a goalie in the NHL?
Martin Brodeur holds the record for the most career wins by a goalie in the NHL with 691.
Who has the most career shutouts in the NHL?
Martin Brodeur holds the record for the most career shutouts in the NHL with 125.
Who was the first NHL goalie to wear a mask in a game?
Jacques Plante was the first NHL goalie to wear a mask in a game. He did it on November 1, 1959, while playing for the Montreal Canadiens.
Who has the best career goals against average (GAA) in the NHL?
Terry Sawchuk has the best career goals against average (GAA) in the NHL with 2.51.