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Ed Belfour

Born:April 21, 1965Draft:Undrafted 1987 Blackhawks
Hometown:Carman, MBPosition:Goaltender
Known For:“Eddie the Eagle”Catches:Left
National Team:Canada

Edward John Belfour (born April 21, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender.

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 fifth all-time among NHL goaltenders. His son, Dayn, is also a goaltender, currently playing for the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the 2011 class, his first year of eligibility. In addition, Belfour is one of only two players to have won an NCAA championship, an Olympic Gold medal, and a Stanley Cup (the other such player is Neal Broten).

His characteristic face mask earned him the sobriquet “Eddie the Eagle”, and some of his quirks and off-ice antics earned him the nickname “Crazy Eddie”. After wearing #30 for his tenure with the Blackhawks, Belfour switched to #20 while a member of the San Jose Sharks as a tribute to Vladislav Tretiak, his goaltending coach and mentor from the Blackhawks. He would wear this for the rest of his playing career.

Goalie Ed Belfour
Ed Belfour, Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ed Belfour Statistics

Deeper Dive

Achievements

  • Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011
  • Calder Memorial Trophy (1991)
  • NHL All-Rookie Team (1991)
  • 2x NHL First All-Star Team (1991, 1993)
  • 2x Vezina Trophy (1991, 1993)
  • William M. Jennings Trophy (1991, 1993, 1995, 1999)
  • 6x All-Star Game (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003)
  • Second All-Star Team (1995)
  • Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars (1999)
  • Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award (2000)
  • Olympic Gold Medal with Team Canada (2002)
  • Canada Cup Champion (1992)
  • NCAA Championship (North Dakota) (1987)
  • All-WCHA First Team (1987)
  • AHCA West Second-Team All-American (1987)
  • All-NCAA All-Tournament Team (1987)
  • MJHL First All-Star Team (1986)
  • MJHL Top Goaltender (1986)

Sources