Manny Legace

Lore & Background

Legace grew up in Alliston, Ontario, and played in the 1987 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a team from Don Mills. He played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League for the Niagara Falls Thunder and also played roller hockey for the Toronto Planets. After a season with the Canadian National Team in 1993–94, he spent several years in the minor leagues, primarily with the Springfield Falcons, where he earned First Team All-Star honors and the AHL's leading goaltender award in 1996. He was traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Los Angeles Kings on July 31, 1998, for a conditional draft pick.

Legace made his NHL debut with the Kings but soon signed with the Detroit Red Wings. After being claimed and then reacquired by Detroit via waivers, he became the backup to Chris Osgood and later Dominik Hašek. He posted a 24–5–5 record in 39 games during the 2000–01 season and was part of Detroit's 2002 Stanley Cup championship team. He later became the Red Wings' starting goaltender in the 2005–06 season, setting a record for most wins by a goaltender in October (10–1) and finishing with a 37–8–3 record.

Legace signed with the St. Louis Blues in 2006 and was named to the 2008 NHL All-Star Game. He was placed on waivers by the Blues in February 2009 and assigned to their AHL affiliate. On November 9, 2009, he signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, making his debut for the team on November 11, 2009, against the Los Angeles Kings. He later played in Germany for the Iserlohn Roosters and finished his playing career with the Springfield Falcons.

Reader's Guide

Manny Legace's career is notable for his long apprenticeship in the minor leagues before establishing himself as a reliable NHL goaltender. He was a key backup during the Detroit Red Wings' 2002 Stanley Cup run and later became the team's starter, setting a record for October wins in 2005. His time with the St. Louis Blues included an All-Star selection, but his tenure ended with a demotion to the AHL. Legace's brief stint with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2009 marked the final NHL chapter of his career. He finished as the Springfield Falcons' career leader in goaltending wins, reflecting his significant impact at the AHL level. After retiring, he served as the goaltending coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Did You Know?

• He is the career leader in goaltending wins for the Springfield Falcons of the AHL.
• Legace set a record for the most wins by a goaltender in October (10–1) in 2005.
• He was named to the 2008 NHL All-Star Game while playing for the St. Louis Blues.