John Vanbiesbrouck

John Vanbiesbrouck

John "Beezer" Vanbiesbrouck (born September 4, 1963) is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender, who was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils. He began his career playing major junior hockey for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Following a successful season with the Greyhounds, he was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 72nd overall, in the 1981 NHL Draft. After his junior career ended, he played for the Rangers minor league affiliate the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League. Despite the team's near collapses due to financial concerns, Vanbiesbrouck led the Oilers to a league championship and shared the league's MVP honors.

He began playing full-time with the Rangers in the 1984–85 season. Vanbiesbrouck won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender and was named a First Team NHL All-Star the following season. After playing in parts of 11 seasons with the Rangers, he was taken in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft by the Florida Panthers. In Florida, Vanbiesbrouck was a three-time all-star, and led the Panthers to their first and only Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1996. While in Florida he recorded his 300th career victory, becoming the 15th and only the second American goaltender in NHL history to do so. During his career, Vanbiesbrouck compiled a record of 374 wins, 346 losses, 119 ties, and 40 shutouts, making him the winningest American-born goaltender and tying Frank Brimsek for most career shutouts by an American-born goaltender. Following his playing career, he took over as the head coach and General Manager of the Greyhounds. However, after using a racial slur referencing his team captain, he resigned.

Internationally Vanbiesbrouck has represented the United States on several occasions. He played in the 1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships as well as four IIHF World Championships. He was named to the Second All-Star team at the 1985 World Ice Hockey Championships. He also played in two Canada Cup tournaments, registering the lowest goals against average in 1987 and was a back-up goaltender during the Americans' second-place finish in 1991. He represented Team USA for the final time in 1998, serving as the back-up on the Olympic ice hockey team.