John Vanbiesbrouck

Lore & Background

Vanbiesbrouck began his career playing major junior hockey for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 72nd overall, in the 1981 NHL Draft. After his junior career ended, he played for the Rangers minor league affiliate, the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League. Despite the team's near collapses due to financial concerns, Vanbiesbrouck led the Oilers to a league championship and shared the league's MVP honors. He won the Vezina Trophy and was named a First Team NHL All-Star in the 1985–86 season. He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft and led them to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1996. He recorded his 300th career victory while with Florida, becoming the 15th goaltender and only the second American goalie in NHL history to do so. He finished his career with 374 wins, 346 losses, 119 ties and 40 shutouts, making him, at the time, the winningest American-born goaltender and tying Frank Brimsek for most career shutouts by an American-born goaltender.

In Their Own Story

The arena is deafening, a wall of noise from the Blue Army pressing against the glass. It's late in the third period, tied game, and a rush is coming down the left side. Vanbiesbrouck crouches low, his stick flat on the ice, eyes locked on the puck. As the winger winds up for a slap shot that seems destined to fly over the crossbar, Doc explodes upward. His glove hand shoots out like lightning, snatching the puck inches from the net. He holds it there for a split second, then raises both arms, tracing a sharp "V" in the air as the crowd erupts.

Reader's Guide

John Vanbiesbrouck never played for the Buffalo Sabres. His NHL teams were the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils. He is not mentioned in the source article in relation to the Buffalo Sabres.

Did You Know?

• Vanbiesbrouck was born in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest of three boys.
• He won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in the 1985–86 season.
• He was the first American-born goaltender to record 300 NHL wins.
• He represented the United States in the 1982 World Junior Championships, four IIHF World Championships, two Canada Cups, and the 1998 Olympics.