Jan 22, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) before playing against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Coyotes Goaltenders History
Goaltending is one of the hardest positions in all of sports. It takes a unique individual to voluntarily stand in a crease and have frozen pucks shot in their direction up to speeds of 100 miles per hour. The goaltender is often praised for a victory and blamed for a loss as they are the last line of defense. Spectacular saves can bring the crowd to its feet or silence a hostile arena. Either way, the pressure that an NHL goalie has to deal with is incredible.
The Arizona Coyotes have had strong talent in net in their 19 year history. From 1996 to 2015, thirty-five goaltenders have taken the ice to start a game in a Coyotes sweater. The Coyotes have seen everything from NHL record holders to Stanley Cup champions in between the pipes in Glendale.
Arizona has become a place where goaltenders thrive with Sean Burke at the helm as the goaltending coach. In recent years he has transformed average players in to superstars. It is safe to say that the future is bright with our goaltending prospects under his control.
With the incredible players to grace the crease in Glendale, Howlin’ Hockey decided to break down the top five goaltenders of all-time. These rankings take wins, losses, goals against, save percentage, and many other factors in to account. The statistics associated with the players are from their playing career with the Coyotes organization.
Howlin’ Hockey ranks the top five goaltenders of the Arizona Coyotes franchise starting with number five:
Next: #5: Curtis Joseph
5. Curtis Joseph (2005-2007)
Record: 50-52-5 GAA: 3.04 SV%: .898 SO: 8
Curtis Joseph joined the Phoenix Coyotes team in 2005 from free agency. Joseph spent two seasons with the Coyotes and split time with Brian Boucher and Mikael Tellqvist from 2005 to 2007. Joseph had a very successful career with the Toronto Maple Leafs before he arrived in the desert. While the Coyotes signed him towards the end of his career, Joseph provided solid relief for the team in his short tenure in Glendale.
Most notably Curtis Joseph earned his 400th NHL career win with the Phoenix Coyotes. Unfortunately though the Coyotes did not make the playoffs in those two seasons, finishing fifth in the Pacific each year.
Next: #4: Nikolai Khabibulin
4. Nikolai Khabibulin (1996-1999)
Record: 92-84-23 GAA: 2.58 SV%: .910 SO: 19
Nikolai Khabibulin was the first goaltender in Coyotes history as he was part of the relocation from Winnipeg to Phoenix. The Coyotes were fortunate to have Khabibulin in the crease during the prime of his career. The Coyotes made it to three playoffs under Khabibulin but never made it past the first round.
Khabibulin’s best season came in 1998 as he posted a 32-23-7 record with a 2.13 GAA and a .920 SV% to compliment it. He had eight shutouts in that year as well. Khabibulin was given the nickname of “The Bulin Wall” as it was hard to get pucks past him. Nikolai Khabibulin also represented the Phoenix Coyotes in both the 1998 and 1999 NHL All-Star Games.
Next: #3: Mike Smith
3. Mike Smith (2011-Present)
Record: 94-93-30 GAA: 2.64 SV%: .916 SO: 16
Mike Smith is a familiar name to all Arizona Coyotes fans as he is the current starting goaltender for the squad. Smith was signed on as a free agent before the 2011 season began and quickly turned his game around. Under the guidance of goaltending coach Sean Burke, Mike Smith sharpened his game to become one of the top goaltenders in the league that year.
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Smith may move up in this ranking as time continues due to his impressive resume. 2011-2012 was his best season by far as he led the Coyotes not only to the playoffs, but their first playoff series victory of franchise history. The Phoenix Coyotes would end up falling to the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference Final later that postseason. Smith finished the 2011 playoffs with an impressive 1.99 GAA and .944 SV%.
The 2011 regular season was just as good as the Coyotes playoff run. Mike Smith finished the year 38-18-10 and his record helped the Coyotes to win their first Pacific division championship in franchise history. He also posted a 2.21 GAA and a .920 SV% during the year too.
Next: #2: Sean Burke
2. Sean Burke (1999-2004)
Record: 97-78-29 GAA: 2.39 SV%: .919 SO: 15
Sean Burke narrowly misses the top spot and comes in our rankings at number two. Burke was a fantastic goaltender but had three seasons where he played 35 games or less due to injuries and other competition. With that being said, when he did play he was hard to beat.
Burke played five seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes with his third one being his best. In 2001 Sean Burke finished the year with a 33-21-6 record, a 2.29 GAA, and a .920 SV%. He was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy that season as well.
Sean Burke is currently the goaltending coach/assistant to the General Manager for the Arizona Coyotes and has helped numerous goaltenders become Vezina contenders. He has permission from the Arizona Coyotes to seek a managerial position with other clubs. It would be difficult to replace him as goaltending coach, and assistant to the General Manager, but the team realizes his desire to move on with his career aspirations.
Next: #1: Ilya Bryzgalov
1. Ilya Bryzgalov (2007-2011)
Record: 130-93-27 GAA: 2.54 SV%: .917 SO: 21
Ilya Bryzgalov barely edges Burke as he had excellent years with the Phoenix Coyotes during his time as starting goaltender from 2007-2011. Bryzgalov was placed on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and Phoenix claimed him the next day. In Bryzgalov’s first start, which happened to be that same day, he shut out the Los Angeles Kings.
Ilya Bryzgalov carried the Phoenix Coyotes to two playoff appearances in 2010 and 2011 but would never make it past the first round. His most notable season came in 2009 where he finished with 42 wins, a 2.29 GAA and a .920 SV%.
While Sean Burke had a more efficient goals against average and save percentage, Bryzgalov simply knew how to win games. He averaged 33 wins per season and had a win percentage of 58%.
Next: Every Goaltender And His Mask In Coyotes' History
Just like Nikolai Khabibulin before him, the Coyotes were not able to financially meet his contract asking price. Bryzgalov was later traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.