Philipp Grubauer
German goaltender for the Seattle Kraken, first German-born goalie to win a Stanley Cup playoff game.
Philipp Grubauer (born 25 November 1991) is a German professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fourth round, 112th overall, of the 2010 NHL entry draft.
Quick Facts
- Character
- Starting Goaltender (Inaugural Era)
- Affiliation
- Seattle Kraken
- First appears
- 2021-22 NHL Season
- Status
- Active Legacy Figure
- Nationality
- German
Lore & Background
Grubauer began his career in Germany, playing for his hometown's junior team, the Starbulls Rosenheim, starting in 2004 at age 13. His debut with the Starbulls' senior club came on 17 February 2008, when he was 16, in a 2–0 shutout victory. Following the 2007–08 season, he moved to North America to play for the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after being selected 25th overall in the 2008 CHL Import Draft. With the Bulls, he served as backup for the 2008–09 season, playing 17 games. He became the starter in 2009–10 and played 31 games for the Bulls before being traded on 4 January 2010 to the Windsor Spitfires in a seven-player deal. At age 18, he helped the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup in May 2010. On 26 June 2010, he was selected by the Washington Capitals in the fourth round, 112th overall, of the 2010 NHL entry draft. Just a few days after the draft, he was traded to the Kingston Frontenacs. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals on 4 October 2010. He played 38 games with the Frontenacs, achieving a 22–13–3 record with a .903 save percentage and 3.62 GAA, before falling ill with mononucleosis in February.
Reader's Guide
Grubauer is a goaltender for the Seattle Kraken. He won the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires in 2010. He became the first German-born goaltender to start and win a Stanley Cup playoff game in April 2015. He won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018. He spent three years with the Colorado Avalanche before signing with the Kraken. He is the first Kraken goaltender to record a shutout, doing so in February 2022. Internationally, he represents Germany and has participated in five senior World Championships (2014, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Philipp Grubauer?
Philipp Grubauer is a German goaltender who became an iconic figure during the Seattle Kraken's inaugural era. He served as one of the franchise's first two starting netminders, helping to establish the team's identity from day one.
What role did Grubauer play for the Kraken?
He acted as a primary defensive anchor, known as 'The German Wall,' who stabilized the team during their historic 2021-22 debut season. His performance was instrumental in securing the franchise's first-ever playoff run.
How did Grubauer join the Seattle Kraken?
Although originally drafted by the Washington Capitals, he found his true home in the Pacific Northwest after being acquired as a free agent. This move allowed him to become a central pillar of the expansion team immediately upon their launch.
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