Dwayne Roloson

Dwayne Roloson
Roloson with the Lightning in the 2011 playoffs.
Born	(1969-10-12) October 12, 1969 Simcoe, ON, CAN
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	Calgary Flames Buffalo Sabres Minnesota Wild Edmonton Oilers New York Islanders Tampa Bay Lightning
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1994–2012
Website	www.dwaynerolosongoaliedevelopment.com

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Competitor for Canada
World Championships
Silver	2009 Bern	Ice hockey
Gold	2007 Moscow	Ice hockey
Bronze	1995 Sweden	Ice hockey

Albert Dwayne Roloson (born October 12, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender currently a goaltending consultant within the Anaheim Ducks organization for the Norfolk Admirals. Roloson played for the Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning during his national hockey league career. He is often affectionately referred to by his fans as "Roli." Following Mark Recchi's retirement, Roloson became the oldest active NHL player and the last active NHL player to have been born in the 1960s.

Playing career

Pre-NHL

A Hobey Baker Award nominee and NCAA All-American while tending goal for University of Massachusetts Lowell, Roloson went undrafted after graduating. He was signed as a free agent by the Calgary Flames in 1994. After splitting time between the Flames and their American Hockey League counterpart, the Saint John Flames, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres to back up Dominik Hašek. Following two years with the Sabres, he was picked up in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Rather than joining the Blue Jackets, Roloson signed with the AHL team of the St. Louis Blues, the Worcester IceCats.

NHL years

Minnesota years

Deciding to give the NHL one more try, Roloson earned a roster spot with the Minnesota Wild in 2001. In the 2002–03 NHL season, Roloson shared netminding duties with Manny Fernandez as the Wild made their first ever appearance in the post-season, defeating the Colorado Avalanche in the first round and the Vancouver Canucks in the second round. Despite splitting goaltending duties with Fernandez, Roloson earned his first All-Star appearance at age 34, appearing in the 2004 NHL All-Star Game with the Western Conference team. He also won the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award for having the NHL's best save percentage.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Roloson played with the SM-liiga's Lukko. He returned to the Wild once the lockout concluded.

Edmonton years and playoffs

On March 8, 2006, Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for the first round pick that later became part of a trade for Pavol Demitra and a conditional draft pick that later became a third-rounder. Initially, Oilers General Manager Kevin Lowe was harshly criticized for the acquisition when Roloson struggled during the regular season. Lowe was criticized both for not acquiring a better goaltender, and also for surrendering a first-round draft pick to a divisional rival.

Roloson, playing for the Edmonton Oilers

Criticism was muted following sensational play by Roloson, backstopping the Oilers to the final of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had a record of 12–5 through the first three rounds, and along with Chris Pronger, was considered a front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Oilers were victorious in the finals.

However, during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Roloson suffered a third-degree MCL sprain of his right knee when Hurricanes forward Andrew Ladd was pushed into Roloson by a back-checking Oiler defenseman Marc-André Bergeron. Oilers coach Craig MacTavish announced that Roloson would not be able to continue in the series. It was also learned that he had hyper-extended his right elbow in the collision as well. As a result, Ty Conklin lost Game 1 after Roloson's departure and co-backup goalie Jussi Markkanen was left to finish the series. The Oilers eventually lost to the Hurricanes in seven games. Months of intense rehabilitation would follow in order to prepare Roloson for the 2006–07 season.

Roloson could have tested the unrestricted free agency market in the summer of 2006 but opted to re-sign with the Oilers on July 1, 2006. The majority of Edmonton fans^{[citation needed]} were expecting Kevin Lowe to sign Roloson to a one or two-year contract due to his age, but in the end a three-year deal was signed.

He was a member of the Canadian 2007 IIHF World Championship team that won gold in a 4–2 win against Finland in Moscow.

In the 2007–08 season, Roloson started out strong before seeing his record fall to 7–12–0. By early January 2008, backup goaltender Mathieu Garon had taken the reins as starter. It wasn't until March 13, 2008, that Roloson had seen regular play, coming in as relief for an injured Garon, starting each subsequent game.

When the 2008–09 NHL season began, Roloson found himself vying for the starting goaltender position with Garon and upstart Jeff Deslauriers. For the beginning of the season, it appeared Garon was once again the starter, but after some bad games, Oiler coach Craig MacTavish decided to rotate Garon, Deslauriers and Roloson by playing whoever had the hot hand. Eventually, the team had to get rid of one of the goalies and ended up trading Garon to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Roloson claimed the starting spot. Down the stretch, he started 36 consecutive games as the Oilers fought for a playoff spot. During this time, he became the oldest goaltender to start more than 60 games in a single season. Though the Oilers ultimately did not qualify for the post-season, Roloson put up solid numbers, making upwards of 40 saves on a regular basis.

Only days after the last game of the season, Roloson (along with Oilers teammate Shawn Horcoff) was called upon for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships. He played in the finals against Russia, where Canada lost 2–1, regardless of some "great play" by Roloson.

Roloson in goal for the Islanders during their 2009 home-opener.

New York Islanders

On July 1, 2009, Roloson became an unrestricted free agent. After rejecting a one-year, $3 million deal from Edmonton, Roloson signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the New York Islanders. The Islanders also signed Martin Biron, who was to serve as Roloson's backup goalie while Rick DiPietro was out on injured reserve. Roloson lost his first game as an Islander on October 3, 2009 in a shootout.

On November 23, 2009, Roloson made 58 saves on 61 shots in a 4–3 overtime win in Toronto. The 58 saves were a career high, and broke the Islander club record of 56, held by Rick DiPietro.

Tampa Bay Lightning

On January 1, 2011, Roloson was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenceman Ty Wishart. He won his first game with Tampa Bay in a 1-0 overtime shutout against the Washington Capitals. In his first 11 games with the Lightning, he recorded 4 shutouts. In April 2011, Roloson recorded a shutout in a first round playoff Game 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, making him the oldest goaltender to do so. Roloson and the Lightning ultimately advanced to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, where they were eliminated by the Boston Bruins in seven games. With his contract set to expire the Lightning re-signed Roloson to a one-year $3 million deal on June 29, 2011. He would retire at season's end after the Lightning failed to qualify for the playoffs again. Following his retirement from ice hockey, he was immediately hired as a consultant to the Anaheim Ducks farm team the Norfolk Admirals.

Awards and achievements

• (IIHF) 2007 World Ice Hockey Championships: Gold medal
• Played in NHL All-Star Game - (2004)
• (NHL) Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award (Save percentage Leader) - 2004 (.933)
• (AHL) Baz Bastien Memorial Trophy (Best Goaltender) - 2001
• (AHL) First All-Star Team - 2001
• (NCAA) East First All-American Team - 1994
• (HE) Player of the Year & First All-Star Team - 1994
• (HE) William Flynn Tournament MVP Award - 1994

Career statistics

Regular season

Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	OT	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1990–91	UMass Lowell	HE		15	5	9	0	—	823	63	0	4.59	n/a
1991–92	UMass Lowell	HE		12	3	8	0	—	660	52	0	4.73	n/a
1992–93	UMass Lowell	HE		39	20	17	2	—	2342	150	0	3.84	n/a
1993–94	UMass Lowell	HE		40	23	10	7	—	2305	106	0	2.76	n/a
1994–95	Saint John Flames	AHL		46	16	21	8	—	2734	156	1	3.42	.900
1995–96	Saint John Flames	AHL		67	33	22	11	—	4026	190	1	2.83	.905
1996–97	Saint John Flames	AHL		8	6	2	0	—	481	22	1	2.75	.910
1996–97	Calgary Flames	NHL		31	9	14	3	—	1618	78	0	2.89	.897
1997–98	Saint John Flames	AHL		4	3	0	1	—	245	8	0	1.96	.939
1997–98	Calgary Flames	NHL		39	11	16	8	—	2205	110	0	2.89	.897
1998–99	Rochester Americans	AHL		2	2	0	0	—	120	4	0	2.00	.922
1998–99	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		18	6	8	2	—	911	42	1	2.77	.909
1999–00	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		14	1	7	3	—	677	32	0	2.84	.884
2000–01	Worcester IceCats	AHL		52	32	15	5	—	3127	113	6	2.17	.929
2001–02	Minnesota Wild	NHL		45	14	20	7	—	2506	112	5	2.68	.901
2002–03	Minnesota Wild	NHL		50	23	16	8	—	2945	98	4	2.00	.927
2003–04	Minnesota Wild	NHL		48	19	18	11	—	2847	89	5	1.88	.933
2004–05	Lukko Rauma	Fin		34	20	10	4	—	2048	70	4	2.05	.931
2005–06	Minnesota Wild	NHL		24	6	17	—	1	1361	68	1	3.00	.910
2005–06	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		19	8	7	—	5	1163	47	1	2.42	.905
2006–07	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		68	27	34	—	6	3931	180	4	2.75	.909
2007–08	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		43	15	17	—	5	2340	119	0	3.05	.901
2008–09	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		63	28	24	—	9	3597	166	1	2.77	.915
2009–10	New York Islanders	NHL		50	23	18	—	7	2897	145	1	3.00	.907
2010–11	New York Islanders	NHL		20	6	13	—	1	1206	53	0	2.64	.916
2010–11	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		34	18	12	—	4	1993	85	4	2.56	.912
2011–12	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		40	13	16	—	3	2099	128	1	3.66	.886
NHL totals				606	227	257	42	40	34297	1552	33	2.72	.908
AHL totals				179	92	60	25	—	10733	493	9	2.76	.911

Playoffs

Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1994–95	Saint John Flames	AHL		5	1	4	299	13	0	2.60	.897
1995–96	Saint John Flames	AHL		16	10	6	1027	49	1	2.86	n/a
1998–99	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		4	1	1	139	10	0	4.31	.870
2000–01	Worcester IceCats	AHL		11	6	5	697	23	1	1.97	.931
2002–03	Minnesota Wild	NHL		11	5	6	578	25	0	2.59	.903
2004–05	Lukko Rauma	Fin		9	4	5	512	18	2	2.10	.941
2005–06	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		18	12	5	1159	45	1	2.33	.927
2010–11	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		17	10	6	982	41	1	2.51	.924
NHL totals				50	28	18	2860	121	2	2.54	.918
AHL totals				32	17	15	2022	85	2	2.52	?

International statistics

Year	Team	Event		MINS	GA	GAA	SO	Sv.%
1995	Canada	WJC		–	–	–	–	–
1995	Canada	WC		–	–	–	–	–
2007	Canada	WC		240	10	2.50	0	.910
2009	Canada	WC		304	11	2.17	0	.930

Personal life

• Roloson and his wife, Melissa, who were married around 1999–2000, have two sons, Brett, 7, and Ross, 5
• Best friends with Rob Blake, with whom he played hockey in high school in Simcoe, Ontario. Also friends with Andrew Brunette[1]
• Dwayne wears contact lenses and writes with his left hand.
• The Saint Paul Police Federation swore in Dwayne Roloson as an honorary police officer for his interest and involvement. The award is to recognize the contribution and support to local law enforcement. Roli can now patrol his former neighborhood from when he played for the Wild.
• Teaches his goalie school with Wild goaltending coach Bob Mason.
• His mask had a shamrock with the initials "KR" to remember Kelly Ryan, a 12 year old player who attended several of Roloson's goalie camps. The shamrock also had the letters "TDLO", "The Dream Lives On."

External links

• Dwayne Roloson's player profile at NHL.com
• Bio on hockeygoalies.org
• Dwayne Roloson's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Roloson Mason Goalie Schools
• 21 December, 2009 Roloson save

Preceded by Marty Turco

Winner of the Crozier Award 2004

Succeeded by Cristobal Huet