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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 19, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Young hockey fans Louka Blaquiere-Renaud (left) and his brother Zakary St-Pierre cheer in front of a Montreal Canadiens logo before the game two against New York Rangers of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Young hockey fans Louka Blaquiere-Renaud (left) and his brother Zakary St-Pierre cheer in front of a Montreal Canadiens logo before the game two against New York Rangers of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

#12: Georges Vezina

Georges Vezina of the Montreal Canadiens is one of the best goalies to ever play in the NHL. Despite not playing in the league until he was 31 years old (the Canadiens were in the NHA until 1917), Vezina put up some impressive numbers. How impressive were his numbers? The best goalie in the NHL each year gets the Vezina Trophy, named after Georges Vezina.

Vezina came to the Canadiens because they were impressed with him after the Canadiens scrimmaged against his club team. Vezina held the Canadiens scoreless. The Canadiens were so impressed with Vezina that they decided to offer him a contract to play for their team. He accepted and joined the Canadiens in 1910.

Vezina led the league in goals against average three times during his career (1918, 1924, and 1925). He also proved his durability by leading the league in games played seven consecutive times from 1918 to 1925. He had 103 wins despite playing in just 190 games.

Tragically, Vezina died in his final season of play. He contracted a horrible case of tuberculosis before the 1925-1926 season began. He passed out during Montreal’s first game of the season. Doctors told him that he had tuberculosis and he immediately retired. He passed away in March of 1926. The Canadiens loved him so much that they honored his salary for the whole 1925-1926 season. They also donated the Vezina Trophy to the NHL to honor him.

Next: #11: Turk Broda

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