Ed Belfour

Eddie the Eagle: Hall of Fame goaltender and Stanley Cup champion.

Edward John Belfour (born April 21, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 17 seasons in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers.

Quick Facts

Hall of Fame

2011

Born

21 April 1965

Birthplace

Carman, Manitoba, Canada

Position

Goaltender

Catches

Left

Played for

Chicago Blackhawks
San Jose Sharks
Dallas Stars
Toronto Maple Leafs
Florida Panthers

Draft

Undrafted

Lore & Background

Belfour played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the 1986–87 season. After being undrafted in the 1987 NHL draft, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks. He played with the Saginaw Hawks of the IHL before being called up by Chicago. Playing with the Canadian National Team in 1989 rather than returning to Saginaw, the Blackhawks used him for the 1990 playoff run and kept him as the regular starter for the next six seasons, which included winning the Calder Memorial Trophy for his rookie play in 1991, winning the Vezina Trophy twice and backstopping them to the 1992 Stanley Cup Final. With free agency looming, he was traded to San Jose late in the season. He subsequently signed as a free agent with the Dallas Stars in 1997, where he would backstop the team for five seasons and reach the Stanley Cup Final in 1999 and 2000, winning the former for his only championship. In his first season with Toronto, he reached 400 career wins. He spent his final NHL season with Florida in 2007. He played one final season with Leksands IF and retired in 2008.

Reader's Guide

Many regard Belfour as an elite goaltender and one of the best of all-time. His 484 wins rank fifth all-time among NHL goaltenders. Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the 2011 class, his first year of eligibility. In addition, Belfour is one of only two players to have won an NCAA championship, an Olympic gold medal, and the Stanley Cup (the other such player is Neal Broten). His characteristic face mask earned him the sobriquet 'Eddie the Eagle', and some of his quirks and off-ice antics earned him the nickname 'Crazy Eddie'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ed Belfour?

Ed Belfour, known as 'Eddie the Eagle,' is a retired Canadian goaltender and Hall of Famer famous for his time with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was originally drafted by Chicago in 1983 before making his NHL debut with them in the 1988-89 season.

What happened at the end of Ed Belfour's career?

After a storied 19-year run that included stints with the Sharks, Stars, Maple Leafs, and Panthers, he officially retired following the 2006-07 season. His legacy was further solidified when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.