John Vanbiesbrouck

American goaltender who played for five NHL teams and won the Vezina Trophy.

John Vanbiesbrouck (born September 4, 1963), nicknamed "the Beezer" and "JVB", is an American professional ice hockey executive and former player. As a goaltender, he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. Vanbiesbrouck played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1981 to 2002 for the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils.

Quick Facts

Born

4 September 1963

Birthplace

Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Position

Goaltender

Catches

Left

Played for

New York Rangers
Florida Panthers
Philadelphia Flyers
New York Islanders
New Jersey Devils

Draft

72nd overall

Drafted by

New York Rangers

Lore & Background

Vanbiesbrouck made his NHL debut as an emergency call-up on December 5, 1981, but did not begin playing full-time with the Rangers until the 1984–85 season. He won the Vezina Trophy and was named a First Team NHL All-Star in 1986. He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft and led them to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1996. He recorded his 300th career victory while with Florida, becoming the 15th goaltender and only the second American goalie to do so. He finished his career with 374 wins, 346 losses, 119 ties, and 40 shutouts.

Reader's Guide

Vanbiesbrouck began his career in major junior hockey with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. After being drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 72nd overall, in the 1981 NHL Draft, he played for the Rangers' minor league affiliate, the Tulsa Oilers, leading them to a league championship and sharing league MVP honors. He played for the Rangers from 1984–85 through parts of 11 seasons, then for the Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils. Internationally, he represented the United States at the 1982 World Junior Championships, four IIHF World Championships, two Canada Cup tournaments, and as a back-up on the 1998 Olympic team.

Did You Know?

Vanbiesbrouck's first NHL game was an emergency call-up on December 5, 1981, where he helped defeat the Colorado Rockies 2–1.
He was the second American-born goaltender in NHL history to record 300 career wins.