John Vanbiesbrouck

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</div></div> John Vanbiesbrouck (born September 4, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan) nicknamed "The Beezer", is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender. He played for the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils. He finished his career with a record of 374 wins against 346 losses and 119 ties, and is generally considered to be one of the top American goaltenders in history. He won the Vezina Trophy in 1986, was selected to the NHL All-Star Team in 1986, 1994, 1996, and 1997, and was the back-up goaltender for the United States in the 1998 Winter Olympics.

[edit] Playing career

As teammate Mike Richter emerged as the Rangers' number one goalie, Vanbiesbrouck was left unprotected in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft and was the first selection by the Florida Panthers. Although he would miss the Rangers' President's Trophy and Stanley Cup winning year, Vanbiesbrouck played a key role in Florida staying in the playoff hunt until the end of the 1993-1994 season. He recorded 33 victories and his performance earned him the runner-up to the Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy. In 1996 he backstopped the Panthers to the first, and only, Stanley Cup Finals appearance in franchise history, upsetting the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins along the way, although the Panthers lost in four games to the Colorado Avalanche. In 1997 Vanbiesbrouck recorded his 300th career victory. However, a long Panthers losing streak caused him to be booed off the ice later in the 1997-1998 season. Before the start of the 1998-1999 season, Vanbiesbrouck signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. John spent the next seasons with the Flyers, rotating in and out of the starting goaltending job with Ron Hextall and then Brian Boucher. On Draft Day in 2000, John was traded to the New York Islanders. John didn't even finish the season with the Islanders. In March, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he was the backup for Martin Brodeur. He spent the rest of the season with the Devils and then retired on June 9, 2001. John could not stay away from hockey long, on February 4, 2002, he agreed to terms with the Devils. He was the back-up for the rest of the season, and then retired for good from professional hockey on May 25, 2002. He retired in order to take the position of head coach of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

[edit] Retirement

As coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, he called defenseman Trevor Daley a "nigger" in March of 2003. He quickly apologized, stepped down from management, and sold his share of the team. However, the OHL suspended him regardless of his actions following the event. Vanbiesbrouck explained that, growing up in Detroit, he heard the term often.

He currently resides in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with his family.

[edit] Records

• Holds Florida Panthers all-time record for most games played by a goaltender (268).
• Holds Florida Panthers all-time record for second most wins by a goaltender (106).
• HIlds all time record for most wins as an American born golatender (374).

[edit] Info

• Became the fifteenth, and only the second American, goaltender in National Hockey League history to record 300 career wins when he defeated the New York Islanders 6-2, December 27, 1997

[edit] External links

• Hockey Goalies bio

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