Glenn Hall
First goaltender to use the butterfly style; set consecutive games record.
Glenn Henry Hall was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League from 1952 to 1971 for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and St. Louis Blues. He is notable for setting a record of 502 consecutive games played as a goaltender, winning the Vezina Trophy three times, and being named a first team All-Star seven times. Nicknamed "Mr. Goalie," he was the first goaltender to use the butterfly style and was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history in 2017.
Quick Facts
- Played For
- Detroit Red Wings · Chicago Black Hawks · St. Louis Blues
- Position
- Goaltender
- Catches
- Left
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 11
- Weight Lb
- 190
- Birth Date
- 1931-10-03
- Birth Place
- Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Death Date
- 2026-01-07
- Death Place
- Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
- Career Start
- 1951
- Career End
- 1971
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Hall began playing hockey as a forward but switched to goaltender at the peewee level after his team had none and no one else would take the position. He played minor hockey with the Humboldt Indians and attended a development camp organized by the Detroit Red Wings, where scout Fred Pinkney noticed him after Hall caught a puck barehanded when the provided glove slipped off. He later played for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey Association, where he developed a pre-game ritual of vomiting from anxiety that continued throughout his career. In his second OHA season he led the league in shutouts and won the Red Tilson Trophy as MVP. He attended Chuck Rayner's goaltending camp, where he learned the importance of skating and puck handling.
Reader's Guide
Hall's significance lies in his pioneering of the butterfly style of goaltending, which broke the established rules of staying on your feet and keeping your legs together. He kept his legs in an inverted-V with pads spaced widely and his stick between his pads in the area known as the "five-hole," allowing him to drop to the ice and stand up quickly. This style was doubted by coaches and older goalies like Al Rollins, who favored the stand-up form, but Hall's play turned around early struggles and he recorded seven shutouts by December of his first full season. He played every game of that season, recording twelve shutouts, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, and being voted Second Team All-Star. He finished second for the Vezina Trophy behind Jacques Plante. His record of 502 consecutive games played as a goaltender and his seven first team All-Star selections underscore his durability and consistent excellence.
Did You Know?
- Hall's first NHL game was a 2–2 tie against the Montreal Canadiens on December 27, 1952, where he borrowed equipment because his own had not arrived.
- He was put on the Stanley Cup by the Detroit Red Wings in 1952 before he had played his first NHL game.
- Hall's wife Pauline went into labour while he was playing for Detroit in 1955, causing him to leave the team and return to Edmonton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Glenn Hall?
Glenn Henry Hall was a Canadian NHL goaltender born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan in 1931, who played from 1952 to 1971. He earned the nickname 'Mr. Goalie' and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his extraordinary contributions to the sport.
Why is Glenn Hall called 'Mr. Goalie'?
The nickname stuck because Hall was widely regarded as the standard-bearer for his position during his era. He won the Vezina Trophy three times and made the first-team All-Star selection seven times, cementing his status as the face of goaltending in the 1950s and 60s.
What is Glenn Hall's consecutive games record?
Hall played 502 straight games between the pipes, a streak that stood as the NHL's all-time record for a goaltender. That durability over nearly two decades of play is one of the most cited achievements in his career.
How did Glenn Hall change goaltending technique?
He is credited as the first goaltender to regularly employ the butterfly style, dropping to his knees and covering the lower part of the net with his legs. This shift in technique eventually became the standard approach for goalies across the league.
Which NHL teams did Glenn Hall play for?
Over his 19-season career, Hall suited up for the Detroit Red Wings, the Chicago Black Hawks, and the St. Louis Blues. He was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history in 2017, a recognition that spanned his contributions to all three franchises.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Goaltenders 1-24
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