Ed Belfour

Ed Belfour
Born	(1965-04-21) April 21, 1965 Carman, MB, CAN
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	Chicago Blackhawks (1988–1997) San Jose Sharks (1997) Dallas Stars (1997–2002) Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–2006) Florida Panthers (2006–2007) Leksands IF (2007–2008)
National team	Canada
Playing career	1989–2008
Website	belfour.com

Edward John Belfour (born April 21, 1965, in Carman, Manitoba, Canada) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and current goaltending consultant for the St. Louis Blues.

Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the 1986–87 season. The following year, Belfour signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks (after not being picked in the draft) alternating time between them and the Saginaw Hawks of the International Hockey League. Many regard Belfour as an elite goaltender and one of the best of all-time. His 484 wins rank 3rd all-time among NHL goaltenders.

Career in the NHL

NHL beginnings

In the 1989–90 season, Belfour began with the Canadian national men's hockey team, but was recalled by the Blackhawks for their postseason and set a 4-2 postseason mark with a 2.49 GAA. The next season, Belfour became the starting goalie, and turned in what many consider to be one of the best rookie seasons in NHL history. He notched 43 victories in 74 games (both NHL rookie and Blackhawk team records), finished the season with a 2.47 GAA and 4 shutouts. For his success, he received the Calder Memorial Trophy for outstanding play by a rookie, the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender and the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest team goals-against. He was also nominated for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player, unprecedented at that time for a goaltender and rookie (Brett Hull of the St. Louis Blues won the award). He would win the Vezina Trophy again in 1993 and the Jennings Trophy in 1993, 1995, and 1999.

Belfour helped lead the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 1991–92 season, where they eventually lost in 4 games to the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Mario Lemieux.

However, by the 1995–96 season, tension was forming between Belfour and backup goalie Jeff Hackett, very similar to the tension between Belfour and his former backup, Dominik Hašek, which led to Hašek's trade to Buffalo. Belfour was traded to the San Jose Sharks midway through the 1996–97 season after turning down a contract extension from the Hawks.

Belfour finished his tenure with the Blackhawks ranking among the team leaders in many goaltending categories. Belfour finished third among all Blackhawk goalies in games played (415) and wins (201) in both categories ranking behind Hall of Famers Tony Esposito and Glenn Hall. Belfour also ranks fourth in shutouts (30), and second in assists (17). Interestingly, Belfour easily ranks as the Blackhawks' goalie leader in penalty minutes, with 242. Esposito, who played in more than twice as many games and minutes as Belfour, had only 31.

Dallas success

Following a dismal half-season with the Sharks, Belfour signed as a free agent with the Dallas Stars on July 2, 1997. During the season, Belfour played 61 games and had an astonishing 1.88 GAA as his team won the Presidents' Trophy and made it to the Western Conference Finals only to lose to the Detroit Red Wings.

The next season, the Stars repeated their regular season championship and Belfour won his fourth Jennings Trophy. In the playoffs, Belfour won duels against past Vezina- and Stanley Cup-winning goaltenders Grant Fuhr and Patrick Roy, respectively. The Stars won the Stanley Cup, beating the Buffalo Sabres in six games, capped by an incredible goalie duel against former backup Dominik Hašek that ended in a 2-1 win in the third overtime. Belfour made 53 saves to Hašek's 50, and for the entire Finals, had a 1.26 GAA to Hašek's 1.68.

Belfour backstopped his team to another consecutive finals appearance, winning his second seven game Western Conference final duel against the Colorado Avalanche's Patrick Roy. The Stars lost the Cup in double-overtime to the New Jersey Devils. Belfour had 4 shutouts in that playoffs, including a triple-overtime blanking of the Devils in game five of the finals series.

During the 2001–02 season, the Stars began to play poorly and there was a falling out between then-Stars coach, Ken Hitchcock and GM Bob Gainey. Belfour, notorious for not getting along with backup goaltenders, was also being pressured by Marty Turco. After a poor season, the Stars decided not to re-sign Belfour and named Marty Turco the starting goalie for the next season.

Leafs stint and Panthers season

On July 2, 2002, Belfour signed as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs after then Leafs goaltender, Curtis Joseph, chose to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. Belfour rebounded after a dismal season with the Stars, winning a franchise-record 37 games and helping his new team finish second in the Northeast Division. His 2.26 GAA ranked 11th in the league. During the season, he was invited to play in the mid-season All-Star Game in Florida, but a back injury forced him to miss the event. On April 1, he earned his 400th career win in a match against the Devils. In the playoffs, Belfour posted a 2.71 GAA and a .915 Save% in seven games in an opening-round loss to the Flyers. On April 16 in Game Four at the Air Canada Centre, Ed made 72 saves before losing 3-2 on an overtime goal by Mark Recchi. Belfour finished as runner-up for the Vezina Trophy, won that year by the Devils' Martin Brodeur.

In 2003–04, he posted a 34-19-6 record in 59 games as the Maple Leafs finished fourth overall in the conference standings. He recorded a 2.13 GAA and a .918 save percentage along with ten shutouts. On April 3 in the final game of the season, Belfour posted a 6-0 shutout over the Senators to secure home ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. That shutout gave him 10 on the season, setting a new personal best. In the playoffs, Belfour posted three shutouts in the opening round against the Senators, setting a record for shutout streaks in a series. However in the second round, former teammate Jeremy Roenick eliminated the Leafs by putting a game 6 overtime goal past Belfour.

Belfour did not play during the NHL lockout in 2004–05, instead taking a minority stake in the projected Dallas Americans team in the proposed revival of the World Hockey Association. The team had folded by October, 2004.

On November 28, 2005, Belfour won his 447th career NHL game, moving him into a tie with Terry Sawchuk for 2nd place in career wins. Ed made 34 saves in the 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers.

On December 19, 2005, Belfour moved past Sawchuk with a 9-6 win over the New York Islanders at the Air Canada Centre. He was honoured in a special pre-game ceremony on December 23, 2005, before a game against the Boston Bruins at the Air Canada Centre; the Leafs went on to win the game. At the end of the 2005/06 season, Belfour had a record of 457-303-111 in the regular season, and 88-68 in the playoffs.

On July 1, 2006, Maple Leafs General Manager John Ferguson Jr released Belfour to free agency after a lacklustre 22-22-4 record and a 3.29 GAA. On July 25, Belfour signed with the Florida Panthers. In October 2006, Alexander Auld was injured while the two goalies were horsing around, despite reports that Belfour assaulted Auld. On February 13, 2007, Belfour tied Hall of Famer Tony Esposito for eighth place on the career shutout list with his 76th in the Panthers' 1-0 blanking of the Montreal Canadiens. Later in the season, another injury to Alex Auld gave Belfour the chance to become starter. He started 27 consecutive games, a record for the Panthers. Belfour, who was doubted by many hockey critics to ever regain his skill after the 2005/2006 season, proved many wrong by posting a 2.79 GAA, .902 save percentage, and 1 shutout in 57 games.

Career in Europe

On August 27, 2007, it was announced that Belfour will play with Leksands IF in the Swedish second division. (HockeyAllsvenskan). Belfour's signing created much fanfare in the months after his signing. He played his first professional game outside of North America in 18 years on October 31, 2007 with a 4-1 win over Sundsvall. Belfour followed up this game with a shutout streak lasting for 251 minutes, a club record in Leksand. He also broke the record for most shutouts during a whole season with 7.

During the division round, Belfour had a GAA of 1.79, which was the best of all goalies in Allsvenskan. During the playoffs, he had a GAA of 2.59 and a save percentage of .911.

Eagle Mask

Throughout his career, Belfour has worn masks featuring an eagle on either side of his helmet. When asked why an eagle, he stated "I've always liked the eagle as a bird. It is a strong figure representing individuality, leadership, confidence, and outstanding vision. Its hunting and aggression are characteristics I admire, so when I was thinking of what I wanted on my mask, the eagle was a natural choice". Belfour's eagle has changed dramatically, from a rough Native looking style in Chicago, to a fierce competitive image in Dallas, while the background always features his current team's colours. On the chin, there is an image of the logo for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a charity very close to his heart, and the back plate highlights his passion for speed and restored cars. The car on the back is a 1941 Willys, along with the words Carman Racing, which is the name of Ed's Car customization and restoration shop in Freeland, Michigan. Upon seeing Belfour's eagle mask for the first time, Mike Keenan, his head coach when he started in the NHL, nicknamed him "The Eagle".

Off the ice

Belfour is an accomplished tri-athlete in his spare time, collects and rebuilds classic cars, and holds a private pilot's licence.

On October 20, 2000, Belfour plead guilty to a misdeamenor charge in which Belfour was subdued by police after a woman he was with became frightened by an intoxicated Belfour in a Metro Dallas hotel room. While under arrest and being transported to the local division, he allegedly offered Dallas police officers one billion dollars for his release without charges. He apologized to the Dallas Stars organization and police officers involved and was charged $3000 for resisting arrest.

Belfour was arrested on April 9, 2007 outside of a South Florida nightclub with Panthers teammate Ville Peltonen and was charged with disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence. He was released the same day from Miami-Dade County jail on $1,500 bond.

International Play

Ed Belfour

Medal record
Representing Canada
Men's ice hockey
Olympic Games
	2002 Salt Lake City	Ice hockey
Canada Cup / World Cup
	1991 Canada Cup	Ice hockey

Played for Canada in:

• 1991 Canada Cup Championship (backup goaltender)
• 2002 Olympic Gold Medal (Team Canada)

In February 2002, Belfour won an Olympic gold medal with the Canadian men's hockey team. Although he didn't play in any of the Olympic games in Salt Lake City, he did add depth in goal to the strong Canadian team backing up Curtis Joseph and Martin Brodeur. He did not complain about his backup role, which impressed Team Canada head coach Pat Quinn, who was also the general manager and coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. On a somewhat humorous note, the gold medal he was given broke off of the strap much to his surprise.

Awards and achievements

• MJHL First All-Star Team (1986)
• MJHL Top Goaltender (1986)
• NHL William M. Jennings Trophy (1990–91, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1998–99)
• NHL Calder Memorial Trophy (1990–91)
• NHL Vezina Trophy (1990–91, 1992–93)
• NHL All-Rookie Team (1991)
• NHL First All-Star Team (1991, 1993)
• NHL All-Star Game (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003 [injured])
• NHL Second All-Star Team (1995)
• Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Winner, (1998–99)

Trivia

• Belfour played against the Panthers in their first game ever on October 6, 1993. He went on to play with the Panthers in their 1000th game on January 16, 2007. Belfour also tied Terry Sawchuk's 447 career wins with a 2-1 win against Florida.

• On October 5, 2005, the 2005–06 season opener, Belfour and Ottawa's Dominik Hašek were the goaltenders in the National Hockey League's first shootout under the new overtime rules. When the Senators and Leafs were tied after a five-minute overtime, Belfour allowed a goal to captain Daniel Alfredsson before stopping Martin Havlat. Unfortunately for Belfour, Dany Heatley won the contest on the third shot of the shootout, two to none in a best of three.

Career statistics

Regular season

Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1986–87	University of North Dakota	NCAA		33	29	4	0	—	2049	81	3	2.43	.915
1987–88	Saginaw Hawks	IHL		61	32	20	5	—	3446	183	0	3.19	—
1988–89	Saginaw Hawks	IHL		29	12	10	6	—	1760	92	0	3.10	—
1988–89	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		23	4	12	3	—	1148	74	0	3.87	.887
1990–91	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		74	43	19	7	—	4127	170	4	2.47	.910
1991–92	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		52	21	18	10	—	2928	132	5	2.70	.894
1992–93	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		71	41	18	11	—	4106	177	7	2.59	.906
1993–94	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		70	37	24	6	—	3998	178	7	2.67	.906
1994–95	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		42	22	15	3	—	2450	93	5	2.28	.906
1995–96	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		50	22	17	10	—	2956	135	1	2.74	.902
1996–97	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		33	11	15	6	—	1966	88	1	2.69	.907
1996–97	San Jose Sharks	NHL		13	3	9	0	—	757	43	1	3.41	.884
1997–98	Dallas Stars	NHL		61	37	12	10	—	3581	112	9	1.88	.916
1998–99	Dallas Stars	NHL		61	35	15	9	—	3536	117	5	1.99	.915
1999–00	Dallas Stars	NHL		62	32	21	7	0	3620	127	4	2.10	.919
2000–01	Dallas Stars	NHL		63	35	20	7	0	3687	144	8	2.34	.905
2001–02	Dallas Stars	NHL		60	21	27	11	0	3467	153	1	2.65	.895
2002–03	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		62	37	20	5	0	3738	141	7	2.26	.922
2003–04	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		59	34	19	6	0	3444	122	10	2.13	.918
2005–06	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		49	22	22	—	4	2897	159	0	3.29	.892
2006–07	Florida Panthers	NHL		58	27	17	—	10	3289	152	1	2.77	.902
2007–08	Leksands IF	Swe-1		20	16	3	1	—	1206	36	6	1.79	.921
NHL totals				963	484	320	125	14	55,696	2,317	76	2.50	.906

Playoffs

Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1987–88	Saginaw Hawks	IHL		9	4	5	561	33	0	3.52	—
1988–89	Saginaw Hawks	IHL		5	2	3	298	14	0	2.81	—
1989–90	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		9	4	2	409	17	0	2.49	—
1990–91	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		6	2	4	295	20	0	4.06	.901
1991–92	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		18	12	4	949	39	1	2.46	.911
1992–93	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		4	0	4	249	13	0	3.13	.882
1993–94	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		6	2	4	360	15	0	2.50	.927
1994–95	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		16	9	7	1014	37	1	2.18	.928
1995–96	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		9	6	3	666	23	1	2.07	.934
1997–98	Dallas Stars	NHL		17	10	7	1039	31	1	1.79	.928
1998–99	Dallas Stars	NHL		23	16	7	1544	43	3	1.67	.935
1999–00	Dallas Stars	NHL		23	14	9	1443	45	4	1.87	.931
2000–01	Dallas Stars	NHL		10	4	6	671	25	0	2.23	.910
2002–03	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		7	3	4	532	24	0	2.70	.915
2003–04	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		13	6	7	774	27	3	2.09	.929
2007–08	Leksands IF	Swe-1		9	4	5	510	22	1	2.59	.911
NHL totals				161	88	68	9945	359	14	2.17	.920

External links

• Belfour's Official Website
• Ed Belfour career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Belfour's biography at Hockeygoalies.org