The Detroit Red Wings have a storied history of impressive goaltending performances, both in recent times and during the days when the NHL comprised only six teams. This focus on the Wings’ greatest goalies reveals figures from the distant past alongside modern legends.
Firstly, let’s examine Dominik Hasek’s 2006-07 season. Even as he approached his twilight years, Hasek was nothing short of phenomenal at the age of 42.
Not only did he register eight shutouts that season, but he also maintained a 0.913 save percentage and a 2.05 goals against average (GAA). Playing in 56 games, he secured 38 wins, which underscores his continued dominance in the crease and nearly earned him a spot on the NHL All-Star Team, finishing fifth in the Vezina Trophy race.
Rewinding to the early 20th century, John Ross Roach stood out during his 1932-33 campaign with Detroit, posting 10 shutouts and a 1.88 GAA. This was his inaugural season with the Red Wings, showcasing his skills at a time when defense and goaltending played drastically different roles. Interestingly, before joining Detroit, Roach had even more success with the New York Rangers, logging 13 shutouts and a 1.41 GAA in a standout season.
The Detroit Cougars and Falcons, which later evolved into the modern Red Wings, also featured prominent goalies like Dolly Dolson and Hap Holmes. Dolson, during the 1928-29 season, impressively recorded 10 shutouts with just a 1.37 GAA in a 44-game season. Holmes, in his final NHL season in 1927-28 at 39 years old, tallied up 11 shutouts and a 1.73 GAA over a career that demonstrated his enduring skill.
Glenn Hall, another Red Wings great who made significant contributions in the mid-1950s, earned the nickname “Mr. Goalie” for his reliability and consistent performance.
His 1955-56 season was particularly noteworthy, resulting in 12 shutouts, a 0.925 save percentage, and a 2.10 GAA. Hall’s extraordinary efforts that season earned him a spot as a Second-Team NHL All-Star and the Calder Trophy, marking him as one of hockey’s all-time greats.
One of the most revered Red Wings goaltenders, Terry Sawchuk, delivered some of the best seasons in NHL history. His peak came in the early 1950s, highlighted by the 1951-52 season when he achieved 12 shutouts, a 1.90 GAA, Vezina Trophy honors, First-Team All-Star recognition, and a notable fourth-place finish in the Hart Trophy voting. Sawchuk’s tenure from 1950-55 was marked by consistent excellence, collecting numerous awards, including multiple Vezina Trophies and All-Star appearances, while maintaining GAA’s comfortably under 2.00.
These goaltenders have not only marked their eras with exceptional skills but also etched their names in the lore of one of the NHL’s Original Six franchises, demonstrating the critical role of top-tier goaltending in the team’s storied success.
