Who is the greatest American-born goaltender?

Question

With all the talk about Mike Modano the past week becoming not only the greatest American-born NHL scorer (and in the process extending his record as the greatest scorer in Livonia, Michigan history), but being the best USA NHL player, I thought I would pose this question. Out of the Yankee goalies in NHL history, who stands out as the best ever?

Answer 1

Frankie Brimsek isn;t known as Mr. Zero for nothing, and is to date the only US born goaltender in the Hockey Hall of Fame (Vanbeisbrouck, Richter, and Barrasso are eligible but have all been passed over)

Francis Brimsek has 2 Stanley Cup rings (no US born goalie has more)
Francis Brimsek has 40 shutouts (no US goaltender has more)
Francis Brimsek had 6 shutouts in his first 8 games (no goaltender anywhere has had such a run)
Francis Brimsek has 2 Vezinas and finished 2nd 3 other times (No other US born goaltender can make such claims)
Francis Brimsek has a career goals against average of 2.70 (lowest among US born goaltenders)
Francis Brimsek has the highest winning percentage among US born goaltenders as well


Brimsek is so far above all other US born goaltenders that he deserves the honour of the Greatest American born goaltender!

Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966
Elected to the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973

Answer 2

I would argue about Barrasso. He had a much better team built around him during his heyday.
Richter on the other hand didn't quite have nearly the amount of support as people would think even with a big market team like the NYR. Often times Richter was forced to create his own defense because the Rangers GM was only worried about scoring.
The Penguins were built almost from there defensive positions up. A more solid foundation giving Barrasso an edge in his numbers.

Barrasso's numbers may be better overall but having seen both play live, I would definitely say Richter without any hesitation or question.
Richter, like Roy and even Hextall, was not afraid to go after the attacker one on one. Barrasso had a more comfortable zone where his defenseman made up for his few shortcomings. This is not to take anything away from Barrasso either, he was an excellent goaltender but if I were building a team out of my own pocket money, Richter would get the nod first hands down.

Answer 3

on an identical time as i'm not disagreeing with you LITY (in spite of everything, i've got merely been a Caps fan for the reason that 1996-7, which ability i've got ignored a number of of hockey background), i will declare that the shortcoming of Cups or playoff success (and fairly some the different stats) isn't thoroughly Miller's fault, for the reason that he hasn't precisely had the desirable communities enjoying in front of him for all time. not disagreeing including your declare (from what i've got heard, Brimsek probably is the desirable), merely pointing out how some people, extraordinarily youthful followers, might desire to argue for Miller (who's, a minimum of, the desirable American-born goalie immediately)

Answer 4

This is a really tough question to answer cause hockey is divided into so many different eras.
Brimsek could be considered the best but the league during that time was slower, there was no slap shot and the sticks were straight.
In the goal happy 80's I think it was Barrasso. Look at this guy he came right out of high school to star.
And in today's defense first NHL it has to be Ritcher cause of all the big pressure saves he had to make in big games (1996 World Cup comes to mind).
Of course this is just my opinion.

Answer 5

I would go with Richter though I have to admit, I'm not too familiar with all of the top American born goalies. I saw him in one of the Olympics, and he was absolutely incredible. Outside of that, don't know too much about him.

Answer 6

Frank "Mr Zero" Brimsek - two Vezinas in the original 6 era

Look it up guys.

Well LITY filled it out for you folks. And I will add he did not wear a mask or helmet either.
Learned a little more game history on this one. Great question Snoop.

Answer 7

I loved Richter, but Tom Barrasso gets the nod here. More games, better winning percentage, more shutouts, one more cup AND he stepped into the NHL right out of high school.

Richter had a better GAA, but he was spared the run and gun 80's, unlike Barrasso.

Answer 8

mike richter
hey yo rick dipietro isnt even the best goalie in new york. mike richter is a great goalie that had to play with a ranger team that never had a respectable defense.

Answer 9

Mike Richter without a doubt.

Answer 10

I don't know my hockey history well enough to answer knowledgeably on this one, but I wanted to say that I'm really relieved that nobody has said Ryan Miller. I'm a die-hard Sabres fan, and even I would smack you for saying that!