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30 best NHL goaltenders of all-time

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 11, 2014; Sochi, RUSSIA; A detailed view of the back of the mask of USA goalie Ryan Miller (39) during an ice hockey training session for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Bolshoy Training Rink. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2014; Sochi, RUSSIA; A detailed view of the back of the mask of USA goalie Ryan Miller (39) during an ice hockey training session for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Bolshoy Training Rink. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Bruins logo is frozen in ice before game one against the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Bruins logo is frozen in ice before game one against the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

#13: Frank Brimsek

Frank Brimsek helped the Boston Bruins become one of the most storied franchises in the NHL. He played with them for nine seasons of his ten-season career, spending his last season with the Chicago Blackhawks. Brimsek was small in stature like many goalies at the time, as he was just 5’9″ tall. He was named to the NHL All-Star team eight times in his career. That is second to just Glenn Hall and his ten births.

Brimsek won the Calder Trophy and Vezina Trophy in 1939, becoming one of the very few goalies to accomplish that feat. He led the NHL in GAA with a minuscule 1.56 goals allowed per game. He also won his first Stanley Cup in 1939 after allowing just 1.25 goals per game in 12 playoff games. In his first eight games with the Bruins, he had six shutouts. That earned him the nickname “Mister Zero”. He won his second and last Stanley Cup in 1941 while allowing just 2.04 goals per game in the playoffs. He won his second Vezina Trophy in 1942.

Brimsek’s consistency was remarkable. He finished in the top five in goals against average nine times in his career. He tied or led the league in games played six times in his ten season career. He led the league in wins twice. He also led the league in shutouts twice. He became the first American-born goaltender to be elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966.

Next: #12: Georges Vezina

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