Kelly Hrudey

New York Islanders

With Hall of Famer Billy Smith entrenched in the Islanders net, Hrudey managed to begin splitting the goaltending duties starting in the 1984–85, his first full season with the club. Hrudey's arrival allowed the Islanders to trade goaltender Roland Melanson to the Minnesota North Stars for a first-round pick.^[2]

Hrudey was the Islanders' goaltender during the seventh game of the division semifinals series against the Washington Capitals on April 18, 1987, when New York defeated the Capitals in the longest game in franchise history, a four-overtime game seven known as the "Easter Epic", which was won on a goal by Pat LaFontaine after 68:47 minutes of overtime.^[3] Hrudey made 73 saves in a 3–2 victory.^[4] Hrudey's 73 saves in a single game was an NHL record until Joonas Korpisalo's 85-save performance for the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 3–2 five-overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first round series of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs on August 11, 2020.^[5][6]

Later in 1987, he was the third string goaltender on Canada senior team during the 1987 Canada Cup, but did not appear in a game.

Los Angeles Kings

Despite finishing in the top five in voting for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in two of his final three seasons in New York,^[7] Hrudey was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on February 22, 1989.^[8]

Hrudey was initially angry about the trade, because he had always dreamt of playing his career with one club,^[9] but he quickly adjusted and became an important part of the Wayne Gretzky-era Kings. Since his usual number #30 was retired by the Kings in honor of Rogie Vachon, Hrudey would switch to number #32 which he would wear for the rest of his career. His most notable moment with Los Angeles was playing in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals where the Kings lost to the Montreal Canadiens.^[10] In the 1994 NHL entry draft, the Kings selected goaltender Jamie Storr with a seventh overall pick,^[11] and with him projected as the Kings' goaltender of the future, they let Hrudey test free agency when his contract ended.^{[citation needed]} While it was time for him to move on, Hrudey appreciated his time with the Kings, saying "It was maybe the best eight years of my life playing hockey. I loved the management and the ownership. Just a wonderful place to spend eight seasons."^[9]

San Jose Sharks

In July 1996, in what Hrudey called "a pretty easy decision,"^[12] he signed a two-year deal with the San Jose Sharks.^[13] Hrudey served as the Sharks' starting goaltender for the 1996–97 season until late January 1997, when the club traded for All-Star goaltender Ed Belfour.^[14] With Belfour on the roster, Hrudey was pushed into the backup role.^[15] Belfour left as a free agent at the end of the season,^[16] but the Sharks acquired another veteran in Mike Vernon,^[17] and once again Hrudey played a support role, making 28 appearances, and managing just four wins. Hrudey retired after the 1997–98 season,^[18] and joined CBC Television's Hockey Night in Canada as an analyst.^[19]

Regular season and playoffs

International