Craig Anderson (ice hockey)
American goaltender with over 300 NHL wins across six teams.
Craig Peter Anderson, born May 21, 1981, is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. Over his NHL career, he suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, and Buffalo Sabres, spending the most time with the Senators. He also played for the United States in international competition. Anderson is among the 40 NHL goaltenders who have won more than 300 games.
Anderson played youth hockey with the Chicago Freeze, appearing in the 1994 and 1995 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments. He joined the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) late in the 1998–99 season as a backup to Chris Madden, posting a 12–5–1 record and a 3.10 goals-against average (GAA) in 21 games, then going 0–2 with a 4.74 GAA in three playoff contests. The Calgary Flames selected him in the third round, 77th overall, of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Returning to Guelph for 1999–2000, he again split duties with Madden, going 12–17–5 with a 3.59 GAA in 38 games, and 0–1 with a 2.73 GAA and .931 save percentage in the playoffs. In 2000–01, Anderson became the starter, appearing in 59 games with a 30–19–9 record, 2.63 GAA, and .918 save percentage, earning the OHL Goaltender of the Year award. The Storm were swept in the first round, with Anderson going 0–4 and a 4.25 GAA. After failing to sign with Calgary, he re-entered the draft, and the Chicago Blackhawks took him in the third round, 73rd overall, in 2001.
During his time with Guelph, Anderson used the name Craig Andersson, adding an extra "s" as a memento from a tournament in Sweden, according to a 2011 interview. The Calgary Flames listed him as Craig Andersson in their records, but he dropped the extra letter when signing his first professional contract with the Blackhawks.
For the 2001–02 season, Chicago assigned Anderson to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he backed up Michael Leighton. He went 9–13–4 with a 2.86 GAA in 28 games, and 0–1 with a 2.86 GAA and .938 save percentage in 21 minutes of playoff action. In 2002–03, he spent most of the year with Norfolk, posting a 15–11–4 record and 1.94 GAA in 32 games, then 2–3 with a 2.61 GAA in five playoff games. He made his NHL debut on November 30, 2002, stopping all four shots after replacing Jocelyn Thibault in a 4–1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
- Born
- May 21, 1981
- Nationality
- American
- Position
- Goaltender
- Nhl teams
- Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres
- Nhl wins
- Over 300 (one of 40 NHL goaltenders to achieve this)
- Ohl goaltender of the year
- 2000–01 (with Guelph Storm)
- Nhl debut
- November 30, 2002 (with Chicago Blackhawks)
Lore & Background
Anderson began his major junior career with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 1998–99 as a backup to Chris Madden. He was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round, 77th overall, in the 1999 NHL entry draft but did not sign, re-entering the draft in 2001 and being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round, 73rd overall. During his time with Guelph, Anderson was known as Craig Andersson, adding an extra 's' to his surname after a tournament in Sweden as a memento; he was forced to abandon the practice upon signing his first professional contract with the Blackhawks.
Anderson's professional career began with the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, in 2001–02. He made his NHL debut on November 30, 2002, replacing Jocelyn Thibault in a 4–1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, and started his first NHL game the next night against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. His first NHL win and shutout came on January 22, 2004, a 7–0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. After being traded to the Florida Panthers in 2006, Anderson set an NHL record for most saves in a shutout (53) on March 2, 2008, against the New York Islanders, and then set a record for most saves in consecutive shutouts (93) two games later.
Anderson signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent in 2009 and won the starting job, leading the NHL in saves (2,047) and shots against (2,233) in 2009–10. He made his NHL playoff debut on April 14, 2010, and recorded his first postseason shutout on April 18, 2010. After a difficult start to the 2010–11 season, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators on February 18, 2011. In his first game as a Senator, he posted a 47-save shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Reader's Guide
Craig Anderson's career is notable for his longevity and consistency as a goaltender, achieving over 300 NHL wins—a milestone reached by only 40 goaltenders in league history. His journey through six NHL teams, with the Ottawa Senators as his longest-tenured club, reflects a career marked by resilience and adaptation. Anderson's early years included a stint with the Guelph Storm where he won the OHL Goaltender of the Year award in 2000–01, and a notable name change from Andersson to Anderson upon turning professional. His time with the Florida Panthers featured two NHL records: most saves in a shutout (53) and most saves in consecutive shutouts (93). With the Colorado Avalanche, he led the NHL in saves and shots against during the 2009–10 season and helped the team reach the playoffs. Internationally, Anderson represented the United States on multiple occasions. His career illustrates the path of a goaltender who overcame early struggles—such as losing his first eight decisions with the Blackhawks—to become a reliable starter and a member of the 300-win club.
Did You Know?
- Anderson was known as Craig Andersson during his time with the Guelph Storm, adding an extra 's' to his surname as a memento from a tournament in Sweden.
- He is one of 40 NHL goaltenders to have won over 300 games in their career.
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