Bill Ranford

Bill Ranford is a Canadian former NHL goaltender who now serves as the Los Angeles Kings' director of goaltending. He is the only netminder ever to win MVP honors in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Canada Cup/World Cup, and the Men's Ice Hockey World Championship.

Born in Brandon, Manitoba, Ranford moved frequently as a child due to his father's military career, living in several Canadian provinces and Germany. He started with figure skating before switching to goaltending, playing junior hockey in Portage la Prairie, Prince Edward Island, and Red Deer, Alberta. He graduated from New Westminster Secondary School in 1985 while playing for the WHL's New Westminster Bruins, and was drafted 52nd overall by the Boston Bruins that June. In his first pro season, he made the WHL Second All-Star Team and played four NHL games after the WHL season, winning three. The next year, after a brief AHL stint, he spent the full season with Boston, but a coaching change led to his trade to Edmonton in March 1988 alongside Geoff Courtnall for Andy Moog.

Ranford won his first Stanley Cup in 1988 as Grant Fuhr's backup. In 1990, with Fuhr injured, he became the Oilers' starter, led them to the Cup, and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He spent six more seasons in Edmonton before being traded back to Boston in January 1996. After less than two seasons, he was dealt to Washington in March 1997 with Adam Oates and Rick Tocchet. He started the 1997–98 season as the Capitals' starter but was injured in the first game; Olaf Kölzig took over and played every minute of Washington's run to the Stanley Cup Final. Ranford was then traded to Tampa Bay in June 1998, and later to Detroit in March 1999. He played four playoff games for the Red Wings that spring, going 2–2 with a shutout. He returned to Edmonton as a free agent in August 1999, backing up Tommy Salo, and retired in April 2000.

Internationally, Ranford started for Canada at the 1991 Canada Cup, going undefeated in seven games and making the all-star team. At the 1994 World Championships, he backstopped Canada to its first gold medal since 1961, stopping Mika Nieminen in the decisive shootout. He was also on the 1996 World Cup roster but did not play.

After retiring, Ranford played in the 2003 Heritage Classic alumni game, splitting the shutout with Grant Fuhr. He performed the on-ice scenes as U.S.