Vezina Trophy - Chris Osgood

Lore & Background

Osgood was drafted 54th overall by the Red Wings in the third round of the 1991 NHL entry draft and made his debut during the 1993–94 season. He became the fourth goaltender to man the crease for Detroit that season. After the 1997 Cup win, Vernon was traded, making Osgood Detroit's number-one goaltender. He remained Detroit's primary goaltender until the summer of 2001, then played for the Islanders and St. Louis Blues before returning to Detroit in 2005 after the NHL lockout. He is currently ranked 13th in wins in NHL regular season history with 401.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Joe Louis Arena was thick with tension during Game Six of the 1997 Finals. The puck rattled off Osgood's skate pads before he recovered instantly to freeze a breakaway attempt from Philadelphia. Silence fell over the crowd for a heartbeat, then erupted into deafening cheers as he stood tall in his red and white gear. In that moment, the weight of Detroit's history rested on his shoulders, and he held it steady.

Reader's Guide

Osgood was known in Detroit by his nicknames 'Ozzy' and 'The Wizard of Oz.' He was the last NHL goalie to wear a traditional player's helmet/cage combo until Rick DiPietro briefly wore one of Osgood's in 2011. He is one of only 17 goaltenders in NHL history to have scored a goal, and one of only nine to have scored by shooting the puck directly into the opponent's net, on March 6, 1996 versus the Hartford Whalers.

Did You Know?

• Osgood won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings: 1997, 1998, and 2008.
• He helped Detroit win back-to-back Cups in 1997 and 1998.
• Osgood was credited with a goal on March 6, 1996, after an opponent accidentally shot the puck into their own net.
• He was the last NHL goalie to wear a traditional player's helmet/cage combo.