NHL Goalies - Backups Only, Looking for Help

[Captain Bowie]

Rob Laurie
Chris Levesque
Jordan White

 

[Uncle Rotter]

https://twitter.com/tooka31/status/440989177094492160/photo/1

 

[Doctor No]

Rob Laurie is starting to make a career of this.

In the last calendar year, he's now served as the emergency backup to the Ducks, Canucks, and Wild.

 

[Doctor No]

The articles immediately after Michel Dion was suspended by Quebec (following the game of December 10, 1980, where he skated off the ice midgame) suggest that Mark Young backed up Plasse the next night against Boston:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...ggyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K40DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1625,2242161

(Among others)

Ron Grahame wasn't acquired until the night after that.

 

[K9]

Great list! I thought I was going to contribute a name by adding Olivier Michaud only to remember he actually got 18 minutes of game action.

As for most distinguished of these, I remember Kevin Nastiuk having a good junior career and playing on some Canadian WJC teams most recently. EDIT: just looked it up and I guess he never got playing time? Was just the backup? Could have sworn he played a game or two.

Ahonen was also a very highly touted prospect, also surprised he never got any games in the league.

 

[Sanf]

Couple possible ones.

First is Eugene Decosse with Canadiens in 1924-1925.

Here is story about him in Eyes On The Prize Blog
http://wwweyesontheprize.blogspot.fi/2007/10/between-vezina-and-hainsworth.html

...Signed as a free agent, he headed to Toronto with the team to open the season against the St-Pats, but Vézina was in fine form, and back stopped the Habs to an easy 7 to 1 victory, leaving Gene to warm the bench.

He was named on Canadiens probable line-up before the game by Montreal Gazette.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sLstAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2YsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6601%2C3767199

But his name doesn´t appear in boxscore on the game after newspaper.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wXwuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2osFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6471%2C111076
edit. better link


I think that there still is good possibility that he was sub in that game. Stan Jackson from St.Pats probable line-up is also missing from the boxscore.Mistake,end of room in paper or not mentioning players that didn´t visit ice? Those weren´t perfect.

Other is Marty Wakelyn with Islanders in 1987-1988.

Billy Smith was injured in game against Red Wings in Nov 7.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1980&dat=19871108&id=7I4iAAAAIBAJ&sjid=66oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3473,1762458

In your page its mentioned that Roydon Gunn was Hrudeys backup in Nov 14. game., but in 15. they recalled Wakelyn
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19871116&id=QPIlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v_wFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3730,4913894

(From Chalupas site) Billy Smith played his next game in Nov 24. so its possible that Wakelyn was Hrudeys backup in some games.

 

[Sanf]

One very likely.

"Red" McCusker with Blackhawks 1926-1927

One of the original Blackhawks, from the Portland Rosebuds franchise. He was sold (or loaned?) to Windsor Hornets in late december 1926.

McCusker with Blackhawks
http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/VV3044/1924-chicago-blackhawks-hockey-team

From The Montreal Gazette - Dec 13, 1926 (game played in Montreal against Canadiens)
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6dotAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_4sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4295%2C1716588

I found some old Yahoo groups discussion speculating about him actually playing in that year, but this was the only that I found with him in the roster. Nothing indicates that he would have played in that game. There are actually quite a few similar stories about goalies from that era.

 

[Sanf]

Other would be Joe Starke with Blackhawks 1933-1934

He likely was sub goalie in first three games.

The Montreal Gazette - Nov 10, 1933
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nRYvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TqgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6734%2C1310716
The Montreal Gazette - Nov 13, 1933
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nxYvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TqgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6145%2C1655498
Ottawa Citizen - Nov 15, 1933
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6HYvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=V9sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1047%2C2329622

Also
Ottawa Citizen - Nov 16, 1933

Joe Starke, former St.Paul goaler is the second net guardian carried by the Hawks. The regular job of course is held down by that brilliant performer, "Chuck" Gardiner.

And from Wikipedia

Joe Starke never played in the NHL as a goalie, but his name is on the Stanley Cup. Some sources says Starke played 2 regular season games at defence. The NHL officially says Starke did not play a game in NHL at any position.

edit. I should probably start PM these

 

[WonderTwinsUnite]

Eriksson appeared in a game, he played the latter half of a 9-1 loss to the Ducks this past season.

 

[Sanf]

Tried to find how the Negotian list system worked in 70´s and researching it I found this. Don´t know anything more about it. (In article they ar talking about New Westminster Bruins.)

Blaine Peterson January 1977 with Vancouver Canucks?

The Brandon Sun, May 7, 1977

The Bruins' best player in the playoffs, however, has been over-age goaltender Blaine Peterson, who has a 2.61 goals-against average. Peterson, 21, missed the Memorial Cup last year when he suffered a broken collarbone in the warmups for the first game of the WCHL finals against Saskatoon Blades. He is the property of Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. They put him on their negotiation list in January when they were short of goaltenders. Peterson dressed for several NHL games, but was not used.

 

[Sanf]

First Charlie Hodge got injured and Gump Worsley got the starting job in the third game of playoff series against Toronto. Montreal recalled Ernie Wakely.
Ottawa Citizen - Apr 2, 1965
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nMcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t-wFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1024%2C1551702

Wakely was returned to Quebec Aces for their playoff games so Montreal had to call another goalie to the fourth game.
Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph - Apr 6, 1965
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RMYLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mVYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1508%2C302291

Montreal recalled Claude Dufour.
Reading Eagle - Apr 9, 1965
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7zArAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yZkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5310%2C4653904

Now to the fifth game they recalled Ernie Wakely back because Aces was dropped from playoffs.Wakely got his name engraved to Cup without actually playing a single game.
The Spokesman-Review - Apr 10, 1965
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CjhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=segDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1550%2C2917332

Now I´m not 100% sure did the backup goalie rule come to use in 64-65 playoffs so I´m not sure did Dufour dress to that fourth game.

Also addition to old post NHL seemed to change the backup goalie rule in the middle of 64-65 season. Starting from February home team didn´t need to provide "house" goalie anymore. Teams had to carry two of their own. And in Playoffs they had to dress two goalies, but the backup didn´t have to wear pads on the bench.

The Montreal Gazette - Feb 3, 1965
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TZ0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AJ8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3886%2C716302

Still doesn´t really verify anything.

 

[Doctor No]

Nice finds, Sanf!

 

[Charlestown Chiefs]

I recall toward the end of their terrible '76-'77 campaign that the Wings only had Jim Rutherford available to play the remaining games. I know that Giacomin was injured but don't know why someone from the farm wasn't called up. Minor league playoff races, I guess? Instead, they dressed an amateur named Mike Frawley to serve as Rutherford's backup for the last four games.

This is the only thing I can find that bear me out:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kfBLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3503%2C5776069

Rob

 

[Doctor No]

Very interesting - thanks, Rob!

It does look like Frawley played in the IHL the year before:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=8529

So not technically an amateur, but perhaps he was reinstated (or it was an amateur tryout contract or something).

I don't have him on my website (yet) - for shame, for shame. Adding it to my short list.

 

[tarheelhockey]

This seems like as good a place as any to mention: last night Cam Ward played 61:35 without allowing a goal, a new NHL record for scoreless play by a relief goalie.

He lost the shootout

 

[Benchwarmers]

Update

Hello everybody,

I recently found some time to put much needed work into this project. I've updated EVERY profile. I've added short bios for all goalies, gave it a consistent look/feel and corrected grammar mistakes. I've also added a few more profiles.

2014/2015 NHL Backups only
Ryan Lowe, Jordan Binnington, Chris Gibson, Pheonix Copley, Michael Lee, Jean-Francois Berube, Malcolm Subban, Mackenzie Skapski, Antoine Bibeau and Anthony Stolarz.

Recently added NHL only backup goalies
Mike Frawley (1977 - 4 games)
Claude Hardy (1969 - 22 games)
Greg Moffett (1983 - 1 game)
Bob Perani (1967 - 3 games)
Mark Young (1980 - 1 game)

Still looking for help with this list. Take a guy like David Schill. I believe he dressed in 1 NHL game with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a backup to Grant Fuhr in the early 1990s. Beyond that I'm at a lost for details. Exact date and circumstances are unknown so I can't add him to the list without that confirmation. I'll try and put a lengthy post together detailing where I'm at with some goalies on my 'maybe' list.

I've also updated my backup goalie criteria to: sitting on the bench during the game. Guys like Brett Willows, Floyd Whitney, Pavel Nestak and Scott McKay put on gear in the dressing room but were never signed to emergency contracts and thus not allowed on the bench. I will, however, be putting together a post with the stories of goalies to make it this far.

Thanks,

Jay

 

[Doctor No]

Hello everybody,

I recently found some time to put much needed work into this project. I've updated EVERY profile. I've added short bios for all goalies, gave it a consistent look/feel and corrected grammar mistakes. I've also added a few more profiles.

2014/2015 NHL Backups only
Ryan Lowe, Jordan Binnington, Chris Gibson, Pheonix Copley, Michael Lee, Jean-Francois Berube, Malcolm Subban, Mackenzie Skapski, Antoine Bibeau and Anthony Stolarz.

Recently added NHL only backup goalies
Mike Frawley (1977 - 4 games)
Claude Hardy (1969 - 22 games)
Greg Moffett (1983 - 1 game)
Bob Perani (1967 - 3 games)
Mark Young (1980 - 1 game)

Still looking for help with this list. Take a guy like David Schill. I believe he dressed in 1 NHL game with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a backup to Grant Fuhr in the early 1990s. Beyond that I'm at a lost for details. Exact date and circumstances are unknown so I can't add him to the list without that confirmation. I'll try and put a lengthy post together detailing where I'm at with some goalies on my 'maybe' list.

I've also updated my backup goalie criteria to: sitting on the bench during the game. Guys like Brett Willows, Floyd Whitney, Pavel Nestak and Scott McKay put on gear in the dressing room but were never signed to emergency contracts and thus not allowed on the bench. I will, however, be putting together a post with the stories of goalies to make it this far.

Thanks,

Jay

Jay, do you have Igor Bobkov already?
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/GS020361.HTM

I imagine that you've got Chris Driedger (since this happened after your post):
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/GS020853.HTM

 

[Esq]

This is fascinating.

I'm likewise interested in goalies that only played in 1 NHL game in their career, and started/won that one game, i.e., Ray Leblanc.

 

[Benchwarmers]

Jay, do you have Igor Bobkov already?
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/GS020361.HTM

I imagine that you've got Chris Driedger (since this happened after your post):
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/GS020853.HTM

Thanks for the heads up. I did already have Bobkov as he appeared as a backup in 2013 as well. As for Driedger, I've been monitoring his activity. Since he's still on the Sens roster I'm going to wait until he either gets sent down or gets playing time before I tackle a blog post.

Thanks for the comments!

Jay

 

[Hawksfan2828]

The funny part is that some of these guys have hockey cards, yet never played.

 

[Sanf]

Still looking for help with this list. Take a guy like David Schill. I believe he dressed in 1 NHL game with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a backup to Grant Fuhr in the early 1990s. Beyond that I'm at a lost for details. Exact date and circumstances are unknown so I can't add him to the list without that confirmation. I'll try and put a lengthy post together detailing where I'm at with some goalies on my 'maybe' list.

This could be very helpful. I could try to dig something out.

Also I´m interested how you are going to handle the era before teams were required to dress two goalies. I understad that it is probably impossible to have 100% certainty did backup goalie actually dress to a game about 90 years ago.
-----
The whole backup goalie history is very interesting. I got spark from this project to try to gather "unofficial" list of different "leagues offiicial backup goalies", teams practice goalies, house goalies from time before official two goalie system.

 

[Benchwarmers]

This could be very helpful. I could try to dig something out.

Also I´m interested how you are going to handle the era before teams were required to dress two goalies. I understad that it is probably impossible to have 100% certainty did backup goalie actually dress to a game about 90 years ago.
-----
The whole backup goalie history is very interesting. I got spark from this project to try to gather "unofficial" list of different "leagues offiicial backup goalies", teams practice goalies, house goalies from time before official two goalie system.

Sanf,

Thanks for the comments. I'm going to create a post/section of the blog that caters specifically to pre-1967 backup goalies. Guys who where on hand but likely didn't dress. I'm starting a list but any names will help.

As for the 'maybe' list, here are some names I have. Many already mentioned in this thread.

Rick Sirois - St. Louis Blues - April, 1982
Yannick Degrace - Philly Flyers - October, 1991
Blaine Peterson - Vancouver Canucks - Jan, 1977
Marty Wakely - NJ Devils - November, 1987
David Schill - Toronto Maple Leafs - Early 1990s
Luc Guenette - Quebec Nordiques - 1985
Ed Walsh - Montreal Canadiens - 1974/75
Bob Vroman - Los Angeles Kings - 1974
Steve Rexe - Los Angeles Kings - 1974
Ray Martynuik - California Seals - 1970s

 

[Sanf]

Thanks for the comments. I'm going to create a post/section of the blog that caters specifically to pre-1967 backup goalies. Guys who where on hand but likely didn't dress. I'm starting a list but any names will help.

My notes are on the other computer, but few names from past. (trivia warning )

In 1942 NHL provided spare goalies to playoff series. Apparently those were selected by Frank Calder.
The Milwaukee Journal - Mar 20, 1942
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19420320&id=P-8ZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2SIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3608,1882770

Hubert "Hub" Nelson ( US HHOF ) who never played in NHL was spare goalie in Bruins-Blackhawks games.

Floyd "Phat" Perras was appointed to Canadiens-Red Wings series. This was odd selection because Perras was actually Detroits property. Canadiens decided to carry their own spare goalie. Billy (William) "Legs" Fraser ( Manitoba HHOF ) would have been signed if Bibeault had suffer injury. Fraser was few other times in Canadiens training camp, but he never turned pro.

As for Perras he was on Maroons property from 1935 to 1937 and later long period (1940-1946) with Detroit, but never played a game in NHL. He was spare goalie for Cleveland Barons for the whole 50´s and played his last game in 1958-1959 season.

Other one is Montreal Matins sports editor Jacques Beauchamp was signed as Canadiens spare goalie on their road games. Canadiens weren´t satisfied about the quality of "house goalies" in other cities so they signed Beauchamp who was apparently their practice goalie for long period. There is a better article about this somewhere. This one only confirms the signing.

The Milwaukee Sentinel - Nov 9, 1959
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19591109&id=oHVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UxAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6568,4681731

Then there is this article which mentions that Donald Summerville who was briefly Mayor of Toronto would have been Maple Leafs spare goalie at some point in 1930´s. Summerville died very young. Had a heart attack while playing charity hockey.

Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph - Nov 20, 1963
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=957&dat=19631120&id=e9AiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y1YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2162,3470009

 

[Sanf]

Luc Guenette - Quebec Nordiques - 1985

Boring sunday so I thought to try a hunt. Found this about Luc Guenette. Gosselin suffered a minor shoulder injury in November 18. at practice and Quebec recalled Guenette to replace him. Checking from Hockeygoalies.org Gosselin did not play in Tuesday November 19., Malarchuk did. Gosselin played on November 22. so it was not a major injury.

edited. Sending the clip and link as PM.

 

[Sanf]

I found mentioning from my notepads (I guess I have ment to post it in here before) that Maurice Barrette was recalled by Montreal Canadiens. Newspaper was from October 10. 1977. So this was few days before the season started (October 12.). Don´t remember to finding any reason to believe that he dressed in any regular season games though. So very weak maybe.

edit. corrected year.