Tim Thomas 2009 Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy: Honoring the NHL's best goaltender since 1927.
The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL goaltender judged best at the position by the league's 30 general managers. It was first awarded after the 1926–27 season and named for Montreal Canadiens goaltender Georges Vezina.
- Role
- Goaltender
- Team
- Boston Bruins
- Season
- 2008–09 NHL Season
- Save Percentage
- .935
- Goals Against Average
- 1.76
- Status
- Retired
Lore & Background
Tim Thomas won the Vezina Trophy for the 2008–09 season. He is an American goaltender, born in Flint, Michigan. His iconic beard became famous during the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, not during his Vezina-winning season.
In Their Own Story
The lights of the TD Garden hummed low as Thomas dropped into his butterfly stance, eyes locked on the puck like a hawk. A slapshot screamed from the blue line, but he didn't flinch. With a glove hand raised high and pads spread wide, he swallowed the shot whole, exhaling sharply before scrambling to push off the ice. The crowd roared not just for the save, but for the sheer will displayed in every inch of his movement.
Reader's Guide
The Vezina Trophy has been awarded since 1926–27. From 1946–47 to 1981–82 it went to the goaltender(s) of the team allowing the fewest goals; since 1981–82 it has been voted on by general managers. The most recent winner is Andrei Vasilevskiy for 2025–26.
Did You Know?
- Jacques Plante holds the record for most Vezina wins with seven.
- Only five players have won both the Vezina and Hart Trophy in the same season.
- The trophy was donated to the NHL by the Montreal Canadiens' owners after Georges Vezina's death in 1926.
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