Dominik Hasek Retires After 16 Seasons

[R.Middleton]

DETROIT -- Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek announced today he will retire from the National Hockey League after 16 seasons. Hasek played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, and Detroit Red Wings during his NHL career.

Hasek moves into retirement as one of hockey’s preeminent figures. He played in 735 career games, accumulating 389 wins (10th all-time), 81 career shutouts (tied 6th all-time), and finishing with a career goals against average of 2.20. His 65 postseason wins rank 10th all-time.

Throughout his illustrious career Hasek’s stellar play has been celebrated with numerous accolades, beginning in 1992 when he was named to the NHL’s all-rookie team. He would go on to win the William M. Jennings trophy three times (1994 with Grant Fuhr in Buffalo, 2001 in Buffalo, and 2008 with Chris Osgood in Detroit), the Vezina trophy as the league’s top goaltender six times (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001), the Lester B. Pearson award as the NHLPA’s top player two times (1997 and 1998) and was twice named the Hart Memorial trophy winner as the NHL’s most valuable player (1997 and 1998). He became the first goaltender since Jacques Plante in 1962 to win the Hart trophy, and remains the only goaltender in NHL history to win the award twice. Hasek was also named to the NHL’s first all-star team six times (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001), made six all-star game appearances (1996, 1997, 1998, 1998, 2001 and 2002), and captured Olympic gold with the Czech Republic in 1998. His mastery in the crease earned him the nickname ‘The Dominator’.

Despite all of his individual success, the trophy Hasek coveted more than all was the Stanley Cup. After a trade to Detroit in July 2001, Hasek finally achieved his dream, backstopping the Red Wings to the 2002 Stanley Cup Championship. He recorded six shutouts in 23 playoff games, to set a then NHL postseason record. Hasek would team with Chris Osgood this past season to win yet another Stanley Cup title in Detroit.

Perhaps Hasek’s lasting legacy dates back to March of 2001. Shortly before he was traded to Detroit, Hasek made an unprecedented $1 million donation to the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo in order to help develop the Dominik Hasek Youth Hockey League, commonly referred to as ‘Hasek’s Heroes’. The program was developed to provide underprivileged inner-city youth the opportunity to learn basic skating and hockey skills. Through a partnership with the Buffalo Public School System, Hasek’s Heroes promotes the combination of athletic development and educational support to foster life-long learning skills. Since its inception, the program has grown to over 250 members.

[drwdan19]

THANK GOD!!!

Dan is happy.

[Phila26Flyers]

Farewell to a great goaltender. Dom is one of the earliest goalies I remember watching and was one of my favorite players when I started following the game.

[thepolishkid88]

Has to be the luckiest goalie ever, i dont think i ever saw him in position once.

[MrFrost]

Is this his 5th or 6th retirement?

[Isles4life]

Dominik was definitely one of a kind in net, but also one of the best ever. While these final years of his career have been marred by injuries and a downturn in play, I don't think I've ever seen a goaltender that was as dominant as Hasek was for a stretch in Buffalo. He'll definitely be heading to the Hall of Fame as soon as he's eligible, and is well deserving of that honor.

[Viper207]

I feel the same way about this news that I've always felt about Hasek... completely apathetic.

At least Jimmy Howard gets to finally play now. Unless they pick up another veteran just to screw him over again.

[AVALANCHE FAN]

Until the next time.

[jkidd]

What does this "retire" word mean? Take a break for a year or whatever and then come back?

[antonio106]

Originally Posted by jkidd

What does this "retire" word mean? Take a break for a year or whatever and then come back?

It means more time to beat up guys in pickup hockey games in Prague, lol.

I had a feeling this was gonna happen. Osgoode outright made a fool of him in the playoffs. As good a goalie as Osgoode is, there's no way in Hell Hasek wants to be the backup.

[Colt Seavers]

Hopefully, he stays retired. This probably wasn't the way he wanted to end his career-being swapped and riding pine in favor of a back up goaltender during the playoffs, but I think he no longer has that competitive fire inside. He had a story book and amazing career-Six Vezina Trophies and two Hart Trophies.


It is time to give Jimmy Howard the nod and see what he is made of. He's been in the system for awhile now.

[DARCY T]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Has to be the luckiest goalie ever, i dont think i ever saw him in position once.

for sure.but its annoyin to me that only few people think like this

[detroit4life]

I hope he waits a year then signs with Toronto. Lol

Seriously though, this guy has had one of the greatest careers possible. 6 Vezinas, 2 Harts, 2 Cups, a gold medal, 81 shutouts and a sh*t load of All Star appearances. He deserves to be in the Hall as soon as he is elligible.

[Brawler42]

Originally Posted by Viper207

At least Jimmy Howard gets to finally play now. Unless they pick up another veteran just to screw him over again.

I can see Kolzig replacing Hasek in Detroit.


Hasek was involved in potential goaliefights (Burke, Snow, Roy) but unfortunately it never happened.

[Fotiu]

That increases Daniel Larssons chance at a spot on the roster.