gold star for USAHOF

21. Chris Osgood

21. Chris Osgood

Chris Osgood proved that he was a decent Goalie early in his career, helping the Red Wings reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1995, but he was the backup to Mike Vernon. This changed the year after, when he led the league in Wins (39) in 1995-96, was named a Second Team All-Star, and shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with Vernon.  It was bittersweet the year after, as the Red Wings ended their Stanley Cup Finals drought, but Vernon was the player in the pipes throughout the bulk of the post-season.

The Red Wings believed in Osgood, and Vernon was traded to San Jose.  The faith in "Oz" proved correct, as he backstopped Detroit to a second straight Stanley Cup.  He remained the Red Wings number one Goalie until the summer of 2001 when he was claimed by the New York Islanders on waivers after the Red Wings traded for Dominik Hasek.

This wasn’t the end for Osgood in the Motor City.  He signed back with Detroit as a Free Agent, mostly in a backup or tandem role, but in 2007-08, he was back in top form, sharing the William M. Jennings Award with Hasek.  In the playoffs, Hasek faltered, and Osgood would lead the Red Wings to another Stanley Cup win.

Osgood played until 2011, retiring with 317 Wins as a Red Wing.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Goalie
  • Acquired: Selected in the 3rd Round, 54th Overall in the NHL Draft 6/22/91.
  • Departed:

    Claimed by the New York Islanders in the Waiver Draft 9/28/01.

    Acquired (2): Signed as a Free Agent 8/5/05.

    Departed (2): Retired 7/9/11.

  • Games Played: 565
  • Notable Statistics:

    317 Wins
    149 Losses
    75 Ties 
    39 Shutouts
    2.49 Goals Against Average
    .905 Save Percentage
    82.8 Goalie Point Shares

    110 Playoff Games
    67 Wins
    37 Losses
    14 Shutouts
    2.02 Goals Against Average
    .918 Save Percentage

  • Non-NHL Teams:

    Stanley Cup Champion (1997, 1998 & 2008)
    Second Team All-Star (1996)
    All-Star Game (1996 & 1998)
    William M. Jennings Trophy (1996 & 2008)
    Most Wins (1995-96)
    Lowest Goals Against Average (2007-08)

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