Goalies | Brian McFarlane's IT HAPPENED IN HOCKEY

Women Goalies Make History

May 282010

During the 1993-94 hockey season, three women goalies were invited to display their talent in men’s hockey–at the professional level.

Erin Whitten

On October 30, Erin Whitten, a 22-year old netminder from Glens Falls, New York, became the first woman to be credited with a goaltending victory in one of the minor pro leagues–the East Coast Hockey League. Whitten led the Toledo Storm to a 6-5 victory over the Dayton Bombers. The former New Hampshire University star won her second game two days later. Even though she gave up 10 goals, her teammates scored 11. It is unlikely any goalie, male or female, in any pro league, skated off with a win after allowing goals that reached double figures.

Manon Rheaume

Just one week later, 21-year-old Manon Rheaume, playing for Knoxville in the same league, became the second female goalie to win a game in pro hockey. Later she would move to Nashville in the ECHL and win five of six starts.

Kelly Dyer

Before the season was over, a third female goalie won a game, this time in Florida’s Sunshine Hockey League, Kelly Dyer, 27, who was Tom Barrasso’s backup goalie in high school, led her team, the West Palm Beach Blaze to a 6-2 victory over the Daytona Beach Sun Devils.

Raw Recruit Becomes Playoff MVP

Goalies, Other Stories, Rookies, Stanley Cup Stories 1 Response »

Feb 032010

A soft spoken, articulate young man named Ken Dryden was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1964 but his pro rights were traded to Montreal for a couple of young players who never played a shift in the NHL. But Dryden opted for a college education and played for Cornell University. He returned to professional hockey in 1970-71 with the Canadiens’ farm team in Halifax.

When the Canadiens opened the playoffs, they were pitted against the powerful Boston Bruins, led by superstars Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito. The Bruins had smashed a fistful of records on their way to a first place finish. They had won 15 more games than the Canadiens and finished with 24 more points.

The Bruins were stunned to see Ken Dryden—a raw rookie—start in goal for Montreal. Had Scotty Bowman lost his mind? They’d show his rookie netminder what playoff pressure was all about.