Ken Wregget

Lore & Background

Wregget began his major junior career with the Lethbridge Broncos of the Western Hockey League, winning the WHL Top Goaltender Award in 1984. He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 1982 NHL entry draft, 45th overall. After splitting time between the Maple Leafs and their AHL affiliate, he became a full-time NHL goaltender in 1986–87, taking over starting duties for Toronto.

In 1989, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for two first-round draft picks, joining Ron Hextall. During his first full season with the Flyers, Hextall was limited to eight games due to injuries, and Wregget played 51 games. He resumed a backup role the following season before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a blockbuster deal involving Mark Recchi, Kjell Samuelsson, and Rick Tocchet.

In Pittsburgh, Wregget served primarily as backup to Tom Barrasso but played extensively when Barrasso was injured. His best season came in 1994–95, when he led the NHL in wins with a 25–9–2 record. In 1996, he faced the first penalty shot ever awarded in an NHL playoff overtime period, stopping Washington's Joé Juneau in a game that became the third-longest in NHL history.

After the 1998 season, he was traded to the Calgary Flames, where he provided veteran leadership during a transitional year. He then signed with the Detroit Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent, backing up Chris Osgood. He finished his professional career with the Manitoba Moose of the IHL.

Reader's Guide

Ken Wregget's career is notable for its longevity and his role as a reliable goaltender who often stepped up when called upon. Though he spent much of his time as a backup, he demonstrated his ability to carry a heavy workload, particularly during the 1994–95 season when he led the NHL in wins. His performance in the 1996 playoff overtime penalty shot against Joé Juneau is a memorable moment in NHL history. Wregget's Stanley Cup victory with the Penguins in 1992, even as a backup, places him among players who achieved the sport's ultimate prize.

His career also illustrates the transient nature of goaltending in the NHL, as he played for five teams and was involved in several significant trades. After retiring, he was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, recognizing his contributions to hockey in his home province. His post-playing life includes ownership of a bar and grille in Pennsylvania, maintaining a connection to the Pittsburgh area where he had some of his most notable seasons.