Mike Vernon (ice Hockey)

Mike Vernon (ice Hockey)

Michael Vernon (born February 24, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, with the Flames in 1989 and the Red Wings in 1997. He appeared in five NHL All-Star games, was named a second team All-Star in 1989, shared the William M. Jennings Trophy in 1996 and was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the playoffs in 1997. Vernon won over 300 games in his NHL career.

Vernon was a standout goaltender in junior for the Calgary Wranglers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was named both goaltender of the year and most valuable player in 1982 and 1983. He was loaned to the Portland Winterhawks for the 1983 Memorial Cup and was named the top goaltender of the tournament in leading Portland to the championship.

Selected by the Flames in the second round, 56th overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Vernon began his professional career in 1982 and ended it 20 years later, also in Calgary. The Flames retired his number 30 in 2007 and he was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Vernon represented Canada internationally on two occasions, winning a bronze medal at the 1983 World Junior Championship and silver at the 1991 World Championship.