Frank Brimsek
Mr. Zero: The first American goalie in the Hockey Hall of Fame
Francis Charles "Mr. Zero" Brimsek (September 26, 1913 – November 11, 1998) was an American professional ice hockey goaltender who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as a rookie and the Vezina Trophy twice, was named to the NHL All-Star team eight times (twice on the First Team, six times on the Second Team), and was a member of two Stanley Cup championships (1939 and 1941).
At retirement in 1950, he held records for most wins and shutouts by an American goaltender; these stood for 54 and 61 years respectively. In 1966 he became the first American goalie inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and in 1973 he was part of the inaugural class of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1998, The Hockey News ranked him 67th on its list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players, the highest-ranked American goaltender.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Goaltender
- Played for
- Boston Bruins; Chicago Black Hawks
- Catches
- Left
- Born
- 26 September 1913
- Birthplace
- Eveleth, Minnesota, U.S.
- Died
- 11 November 1998
- Place of death
- Virginia, Minnesota, U.S.
- Hall of Fame
- 1966
Facts from the source article.
Background
Brimsek was born in Eveleth, Minnesota, on September 26, 1913, to parents of Slovene descent. He began playing hockey when his brother John switched from goalie to defense, and Frank took over in net. After high school, he played for St. Cloud State Teachers College and earned a machine shop student's degree. In fall 1934 he attended Detroit Red Wings training camp but was put off by coach Jack Adams' favoritism.
He then tried out for the Baltimore Orioles of the Eastern Amateur Hockey League (EAHL) but was cut. On his way home, he met Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets owner John H. Harris, who signed him. Brimsek played 16 exhibition games in 1934–35, winning 14. The next season, the Yellow Jackets joined the EAHL; Brimsek finished with 20 wins and 8 shutouts, was named to the league's second All-Star team, and won the George L. Davis Trophy for lowest goals against average.
Harris put Brimsek on the Red Wings' protected list but Brimsek declined a Red Wings offer to play for their amateur team in Pontiac. In October 1937, Harris shopped Brimsek to the NHL and the Boston Bruins accepted him. Because the Bruins already had future Hall-of-Famer Tiny Thompson, Brimsek was assigned to the Providence Reds of the International-American Hockey League (IAHL) for the 1937–38 season. In his only full season with the Reds, he helped the team win the Calder Cup and was named to the league's first All-Star team.
More in Legendary Players & Coaches
Elsewhere in Boston Bruins
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced