A great goaltender in ice hockey is a tremendous plus for stronger teams. Aside from a bevy of talented forwards and defensemen, the goaltender is perhaps the most important piece for any team. Good goaltending often leads to victory. Bad goaltending, especially when the offense scores in a hurry, occasionally leads to not only replacing the affected goaltender in favor of his backup, but also leads to a humiliating defeat as well. The number on the goaltender's back has been a tradition, carrying over from one generation to another.
#1
 |
| From left: Jonas Hiller, Roberto Luongo, and Brian Elliott |
Most goaltenders have worn No. 1 throughout history because during the 'Original Six' era teams dress only one goaltender and is given the choice of either 1 or 30, which represents the two ends of the standard jersey number range. Today, players such as Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks and Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks are carrying the tradition of the No. 1. The current top goalie in terms of GAA, Brian Elliott of the St. Louis Blues, also wears No. 1.
 |
| Jacques Plante (left) and Bernie Parent (right) |
The No. 1 was retired by five teams. The Montreal Canadiens retired the number for legendary Jacques Plante, while the Philadelphia Flyers retired it for Bernie Parent. Both Parent and Plante were feared by opponents for their fiberglass mask, which was popularized by Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th films. They were also Stanley Cup winners on their own right. In addition, the Detroit Red Wings retired it for Terry Sawchuk, the New York Rangers for Eddie Giacomin, and the Chicago Blackhawks for Glenn Hall. Glenn 'Chico' Resch, now a popular broadcaster for the New Jersey Devils, also wore No. 1 for a good part of his playing career with the Devils. Of special note, Georges Vezina, whose award was named after him, also wore No. 1 during his playing career.
#29
 |
| Ken Dryden (left) and Marc-Andre Fleury (right) |
Ken Dryden made the number famous, and Marc Andre-Fleury has carried over the tradition. Dryden was on goal during the Montreal Canadiens' four consecutive Stanley Cup titles from 1976-79, in addition to two more in 1971 and 1973, while Fleury was an integral part of the Penguins' 2009 Stanley Cup title run. Dryden was also a five-time first team All-Star and a four-time NHL leader in wins. Fleury has been one of the winningest goalies in Pittsburgh Penguins history, trailing only Tom Barrasso in wins. Tomas Vokoun is another notable netminder in No. 29.
#30
 |
| Clockwise from left: Martin Brodeur, Tim Thomas, Ryan Miller and Henrik Lundqvist |
No. 30 is also consider a traditional goaltender number, rivaling only the No. 1 (see above on the tradition). In recent years, however, the No. 30 became more famous because of the goaltending exploits of Martin Brodeur. Brodeur, whose NHL career is approaching the 20-year mark, is the all-time leader in goalie wins and shutouts, accomplishing it while with the New Jersey Devils, with three Stanley Cup rings (1995, 2000, 2003) to boot. The Boston Bruins' Tim Thomas is another notable in No. 30. In the 2010-11 season, Thomas set a single-season GAA record with .938, while becoming the oldest Conn Smythe winner for the 2011 Stanley Cup champions. Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers is another record setter, with 30+ win seasons in his first seven years as an NHL netminder. Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres is also another notable, who recently passed the legendary Dominik Hasek in the all-time wins list in Sabres history.
 |
| Mike Vernon (left) and Rogetien Vachon (right) |
Only two teams have retired the No. 30, and both were goalies. The Calgary Flames retired the number for Mike Vernon, while the Los Angeles Kings retired it for Rogatien Vachon. Vernon played for the Flames from 1982-94 and from 2000-02, winning the Stanley Cup in 1989. He also won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997. Vachon was the backbone of the expansion Kings teams during the 1970s, setting numerous Kings franchise goaltending records during his time. Prior to Los Angeles, Vachon won three Stanley Cups (1968, 1969, 1971) with the Montreal Canadiens.
Now one must wonder, why did the Bruins pass up on retiring No. 30 for Gerry Cheevers and gave it to Tim Thomas? Oh well, it's up to you to debate who's the better goalie in black and gold.
#31
 |
| From left: Carey Price, Antti Niemi, Ondrej Pavelec |
It was the number that made winners out of Grant Fuhr of the Edmonton Oilers and Billy Smith of the New York Islanders. Smith won four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-83, while Fuhr followed that up with five Stanley Cups in seven years from 1983-90. Today the number is worn notably by the Montreal Canadiens' Carey Price, the San Jose Sharks' Antti Niemi, and the new Winnipeg Jets' Ondrej Pavelec, who are looking to continue the number's tradition.
 |
| Grant Fuhr (left) and Billy Smith (right) |
No. 31 was also worn by Pelle Lindbergh of the Philadelphia Flyers, whose unfortunate and tragic passing in 1985 shocked the Flyers and the NHL in particular. Dominik Hasek, more famous for No. 39, wore No. 31 during his early years with the Chicago Blackhawks. Olaf Kolzig, even though he wore No. 37 for a majority of his time with the Washington Capitals, wore No. 31 early in his D.C. career.
#32
 |
| Niklas Backstrom (left) and Jonathan Quick (right) |
No. 32 was retired by the Washington Capitals for forward Dale Hunter, but the number has been used recently for goalies as well. Ask Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings, whose early-season spark this year has led the Kings and Wild into playoff contention. Other notable goalies to wear this number include the Tampa Bay Lightning's Mathieu Garon and Kari Lehtonen of the Dallas Stars.
More classic netminder numbers in the next blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment