These 5 Goaltenders Have the Most Wins in Chicago Blackhawks History

One of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Original Six franchises, the Chicago Blackhawks began play in the 1926–27 season and have since won six Stanley Cups, including three from 2009–10 to 2014–15. The team has featured legendary players like Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, and Denis Savard, as well as modern stars like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

Chicago’s goaltenders have also contributed to the team’s success over the years. Eight goaltenders have won at least 100 games with the Blackhawks, but nobody has been as successful as — or had the longevity of — Tony Esposito, who won 418 of the 873 games he started between the pipes for Chicago.

Below is a closer look at Esposito and the four other goaltenders with the most victories in Blackhawks history.

1. Tony Esposito (418)

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988, Tony Esposito played his first season in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens in 1968–69, but he spent the rest of his career with the Blackhawks. Over 15 seasons, he won a franchise-best 418 games and recorded a 2.93 goals-against average (GAA) and a .906 save percentage. A three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the league’s best goaltender, Esposito had a career year in 1971–72. He led all goalies in GAA (1.77), save percentage (.934), and shutouts (9) that season.

Including his one season with the Canadiens, Esposito ranks 10th in NHL history for most wins by a goaltender with 423. While he didn’t win a Stanley Cup, he played in 99 career playoff games and managed a 3.09 GAA and .903 save percentage.

2. Glenn Hall (276)

An 18-year veteran who played in the NHL for almost two decades, from 1952–53 to 1970–71, Glenn Hall spent 10 of those seasons with the Blackhawks and won a Stanley Cup with the team in 1960–61. He led all goaltenders in the playoffs that season with a 2.02 GAA, .937 save percentage, and two shutouts.

Hall joined the Blackhawks in July 1957 via a trade with the Detroit Red Wings. He won the Vezina Trophy twice and concluded his tenure in Chicago with 276 regular season wins in addition to a 2.60 GAA and .916 save percentage. His 407 career regular season victories rank 11th in NHL history. Hall was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975.

3. Corey Crawford (260)

A native of Montreal, Canada, Corey Crawford was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2003 and spent his entire 13-year career with the franchise. He signed with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent following the 2019–20 season, but he retired before playing a single game with the team.

“Corey has an unforgettable place within our organization, in our fans’ hearts and in Chicago sports history,” the Blackhawks wrote in a statement following his retirement. “‘Crow’ is not only one of the greatest goaltenders in Chicago Blackhawks franchise history but was also a pillar in our local community throughout his entire career. [. . .] he thrilled a generation of Blackhawks fans over the last decade-plus while bringing the city of Chicago two Stanley Cups.”

Crawford won Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks in 2012–13 and 2014–15. Through 488 career regular season games, he had a record of 260–162–53 in addition to a 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage. He won the William Jennings Trophy and finished top-10 in Vezina Trophy voting in 2012–13 and 2014–15.

4. Ed Belfour (201)

Signed by the Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent out of the University of North Dakota, Ed Belfour played in 23 games for the team during the 1988–89 season and won the Vezina Trophy and Calder Trophy, the latter of which is awarded to the league’s best rookie, the following year. He led all goaltenders in saves (1,713), GAA (2.47), and save percentage (.910) that season. Belfour won the Vezina Trophy again in 1992–93.

Belfour won 201 regular season games through eight seasons with the Blackhawks. He had a 2.65 GAA and .903 save percentage in 415 career games. He was dealt to the San Jose Sharks in January 1997 and signed with the Dallas Stars the following offseason. Belfour won a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1998–99. He later played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers before retiring in 2007. Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.

5. Jocelyn Thibault (137)

A first-round draft pick by the Quebec Nordiques in 1993, Jocelyn Thibault split the first five seasons of his career with the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. He was traded to the Blackhawks in November 1998 and spent six seasons with the team, during which time he won 137 regular season games and produced a 2.62 GAA and .905 save percentage. He only played in three playoff games during his time in Chicago.

Thibault later played with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. He retired following the 2007–08 season with 238 career victories, a 2.75 GAA, and .904 save percentage.