Mike Vernon

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Lore & Background

Vernon was a standout goaltender in junior for the Calgary Wranglers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was named both goaltender of the year and most valuable player in 1982 and 1983. He was loaned to the Portland Winterhawks for the 1983 Memorial Cup and was named the top goaltender of the tournament in leading Portland to the championship. Vernon represented Canada internationally on two occasions, winning a bronze medal at the 1983 World Junior Championship and silver at the 1991 World Championship.

In Their Own Story

The ice shimmered under the bright lights of the Saddledome. Vernon adjusted his mask, the silence of focus cutting through the roar of twenty thousand fans. A shot whistled toward the five-hole; he dropped into the butterfly, sealing the gap with practiced ease. He rose slowly, knowing this moment was etched in history.

Reader's Guide

Vernon began playing hockey at South Calgary Community Association outdoor rinks as a goaltender at the age of six. A native of Calgary, he played junior hockey for the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 1979–80, and then the Calgary Wranglers of the WHL. He appeared in 59 games in his first WHL season, 1980–81, posting a 33–17–1 record before leading the team to the WHL finals. Selected by the Flames with their third-round pick, 56th overall, at the 1981 NHL entry draft, Vernon returned to the Wranglers for 1981–82 where he posted a 22–14–3 record with three shutouts, was named a WHL all-star at goal, and received the WHL Top Goaltender Award and WHL most valuable player. He joined the Portland Winter Hawks for the 1983 Memorial Cup, leading them to the championship and winning the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy. Vernon made his NHL debut on December 12, 1982, against the Detroit Red Wings. He solidified his position as the Flames' starting goaltender in 1986–87, finishing third in the NHL with 30 wins. His 39 wins the following season was second in the league, one behind Grant Fuhr. The 1988–89 season was one of Vernon's finest: he led all NHL goaltenders in wins with 37, was second with a 2.65 GAA, was named to the second All-Star team, and helped Calgary win the Stanley Cup. He finished second to Patrick Roy in voting for the Vezina Trophy. Vernon remained among the NHL leaders in wins the following seasons, finishing sixth in 1989–90 with 23 and second in 1990–91 with 31. He was voted to the starting lineup for both the 1990 and 1991 All-Star Games via fan balloting. He served as the backup goaltender for Team Canada at the 1991 World Championship, winning a silver medal.

Did You Know?

• Vernon shared the William M. Jennings Trophy in 1996 with Chris Osgood, not the Vezina Trophy.
• Vernon was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023, according to the source article.
• Vernon was the Flames' starting goaltender before Grant Fuhr arrived; Fuhr was traded to Calgary in 1991, after Vernon had already won the 1989 Stanley Cup.