Top 20 NHL Goalies of the Last 30 Years
Ice hockey has seen some exceptional goaltenders over the past 30 years, and it's hard to narrow down the top 20. However, the MCHL has taken on this challenge to honor the best goalies in the NHL. While skaters often get the glory, goalies are the backbone of a team and can make or break a game.
In no particular order, here are our top 20 NHL goalies of the last 30 years:
Martin Brodeur: Brodeur is widely regarded as one of the best goalies of all time. He played for the New Jersey Devils for 21 seasons, winning three Stanley Cups, four Vezina Trophies, and setting numerous records.
Ron Hextall: Hextall played for several teams during his career, but he is most closely associated with the Philadelphia Flyers. He won the Vezina Trophy in 1987 and is the only goalie in NHL history to score a goal by shooting the puck into the opposing team's net.
Patrick Roy: Roy is another legendary goalie who played for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. He won four Stanley Cups and three Vezina Trophies in his career, and his performance in the 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs is widely regarded as one of the best ever.
Dominik Hasek: Hasek is known for his acrobatic style and is widely regarded as one of the best goalies of all time. He played for several NHL teams, including the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings, and won two Hart Trophies and six Vezina Trophies.
Ed Belfour: Belfour played for several teams during his career, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won two Vezina Trophies and a Stanley Cup, and his 484 career wins rank him third all-time among NHL goalies.
John Vanbiesbrouck - Vanbiesbrouck was one of the top goalies in the league during the 1980s and 1990s. He played for a number of different teams, including the Florida Panthers, where he led the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996. He won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goalie in 1986 and was a three-time All-Star.
Felix Potvin - Potvin was known as "The Cat" for his quick reflexes and acrobatic saves. He played for a number of different teams during his career, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings.
Mike Richter: Richter played his entire 14-year career with the New York Rangers, winning a Stanley Cup in 1994. He was a three-time All-Star and won a silver medal with Team USA at the 2002 Olympics. Richter retired in 2003 with 301 career wins.
Grant Fuhr: Fuhr played for several teams during his career, but he is most closely associated with the Edmonton Oilers dynasty of the 1980s. He won five Stanley Cups and a Vezina Trophy during his career, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
Henrik Lundqvist: Lundqvist played for the New York Rangers for 15 seasons, winning the Vezina Trophy in 2012. He is the Rangers' all-time leader in wins, shutouts, and games played by a goalie.
Curtis Joseph: Joseph played for several teams during his career, including the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2002 Olympics, and his 454 career wins rank him fourth all-time among NHL goalies.
Chris Osgood - Osgood won three Stanley Cups in his career, all with the Detroit Red Wings. He had a reputation for being a clutch goalie in the playoffs and is often remembered for his stoic demeanor on the ice.
Mike Richter: Richter played for the New York Rangers for his entire career, winning a Stanley Cup in 1994. He was a two-time NHL All-Star and won the silver medal with Team USA at the 2002 Olympics.
Roberto Luongo: Luongo played for several teams during his career, including the Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks. He won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada and is the Panthers' all-time leader in wins, shutouts, and games played by a goalie.
Marc-Andre Fleury: Fleury played for the Pittsburgh Penguins for 13 seasons before joining the Vegas Golden Knights. He has won three Stanley Cups and is a six-time NHL All-Star.
Carey Price: Price has played his entire career for the Montreal Canadiens, winning the Vezina Trophy in 2015. He also won the gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Olympics.
Jonathan Quick - Quick is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP. He has spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Kings and has been one of the best goalies in the league when healthy.
Olaf Kolzig - Kolzig was a stalwart for the Washington Capitals for many years and helped lead the team to its only Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1998. He won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goalie in 2000 and was a three-time All-Star.
Ryan Miller - Miller has been a consistent performer throughout his career and is the all-time leader in wins for American-born goaltenders. He won a Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goalie in 2010 and has been a key player for both the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks.
Tuukka Rask: Rask is a Finnish goaltender who has played his entire career with the Boston Bruins. He has been a six-time All-Star and won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in 2014. Rask has helped lead the Bruins to two Stanley Cup Finals appearances, including a championship win in 2011.
Each of these goalies has a storied career with many accomplishments, including Stanley Cup wins, Vezina Trophies, and Olympic gold medals. Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur, for example, have each won four Stanley Cups and multiple Vezina Trophies. Dominik Hasek, known for his unorthodox style, won two Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player and two Vezina Trophies.
Some goalies on this list have also broken records. Henrik Lundqvist is the only goalie in NHL history to record 30 or more wins in each of his first seven seasons, and Marc-Andre Fleury holds the record for most playoff wins by a goaltender in Pittsburgh Penguins' history.
While these goalies have been recognized for their skill and accomplishments, it's important to remember that they all had to start somewhere. The MCHL offers a platform for amateur hockey players to improve their skills and potentially make a name for themselves. Additionally, MCHL's coaches and resources can help players of all levels find the right equipment, including goalie gear, to stay safe on the ice.
In conclusion, the MCHL recognizes the top 20 goalies of the last 30 years for their outstanding contributions to the sport of ice hockey. These goalies have made a significant impact on the game and inspired future generations of players.
