Ron Tugnutt

Lore & Background

Tugnutt was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the fourth round of the 1986 NHL entry draft. He played three seasons with the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League, winning the F. W. 'Dinty' Moore Trophy and the Dave Pinkney Trophy. On March 21, 1991, he stopped 70 of 73 shots in a 3–3 tie against the Boston Bruins, setting the modern-day NHL record for most saves in a regular-season game. After stints with several teams, he signed with the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets for their inaugural season. During that season, Tugnutt was considered the team's backbone and his 22 wins broke the NHL record for most wins on an expansion team. He also holds the distinction of being the only goaltender to have the first ever wins for two expansion teams: Columbus and Anaheim.

Reader's Guide

Ron Tugnutt's significance lies in his record-setting performance and his role in establishing two NHL expansion franchises. His 70-save game on March 21, 1991, remains the modern-day NHL record for most saves in a regular-season game, a feat that earned him a standing ovation from Boston fans. As the first goaltender to record the inaugural wins for both the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Columbus Blue Jackets, he helped define the early identity of those teams. With Columbus, his 22 wins in the 2000–01 season set an NHL record for most wins by an expansion team, and his .917 save percentage was among the league's best. Tugnutt's career also included a standout 1998–99 season with the Ottawa Senators, where he led the league in goals against average (1.79) and played in the 1999 NHL All-Star Game. After retiring, he served as a goaltending coach, a color commentator for Hockey Night in Canada, and later as president, governor, and coach of the Kemptville 73's.

Did You Know?

• In the 1998–99 season, Tugnutt led the NHL in goals against average (1.79) and played in the All-Star Game.
• After retiring, Tugnutt purchased and served as president, governor, and coach of the Kemptville 73's.