John Vanbiesbrouck

Lore & Background

Vanbiesbrouck began his NHL career in the 1981–82 season with an emergency call-up to the New York Rangers. He won the Vezina Trophy and was named a First Team NHL All-Star in 1986. Selected by the Florida Panthers in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft, he led the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1996. While in Florida, he recorded his 300th career victory, becoming the 15th goaltender and the first American-born goalie in NHL history to do so. He finished his career with 374 wins, 346 losses, 119 ties, and 40 shutouts, at the time making him the winningest American-born goaltender and tying Frank Brimsek for most career shutouts by an American-born goaltender.

Reader's Guide

Vanbiesbrouck played in the NHL from 1981 to 2002. He was a goaltender for the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils. He won the Vezina Trophy in 1986 and led the Panthers to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final. He was the first American-born goaltender to reach 300 wins.

Did You Know?

• He won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in the 1985–86 season.
• Vanbiesbrouck represented the United States in the 1982 World Junior Championships, four IIHF World Championships, two Canada Cups, and the 1998 Winter Olympics.