Has a Goalee Ever Scored in NHL History?

Yes, absolutely. In the National Hockey League, goaltenders have occasionally scored goals, albeit in very rare circumstances. This article is a comprehensive list of every goalie who has scored a goal in the NHL's storied history.

Rare NHL Goalies Who Have Scored

In NHL history, nine different goaltenders have combined to score 11 goals. These moments are memorable in a league where historically, goaltenders score virtually no goals at all. Let's look at each player in detail:

1. Billy Smith (New York Islanders)

Billy Smith, a legendary goaltender for the New York Islanders, was the first goalie ever credited with a goal in the NHL. He scored after being the last Islanders player to touch the puck. His achievement marks an unusual and significant moment in the history of the NHL.

2. Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes)

Cam Ward, who played for the Carolina Hurricanes, was credited with a goal after being the last Hurricanes player to touch the puck. His goal remains a footnote in the history of the NHL, a rare occurrence indeed.

3. Chris Mason (Nashville Predators)

Chris Mason, of the Nashville Predators, scored a goal after being the last Predators player to touch the puck. Like Ward and Smith, Mason’s goal was a singular and infrequent moment.

4. Chris Osgood (Detroit Red Wings)

Chris Osgood's goal for the Detroit Red Wings was in a less traditional manner. He scored by shooting the puck into an empty net. This type of scoring is not common and is an entertaining addition to the history of the league.

5. Damian Rhodes (Ottawa Senators)

Interestingly, Damian Rhodes, playing for the Ottawa Senators, scored a goal after being the last Senators player to touch the puck. Notably, he became the first NHL goalie to be credited with a goal and to record a shutout in the same game.

6. Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose Sharks)

Evgeni Nabokov, a key player for the San Jose Sharks, scored by shooting the puck into an empty net. His goal was notable in the context of the game but not as rare as some others on this list.

7. José Théodore (Montreal Canadiens)

José Théodore, a standout goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens, scored a goal by shooting the puck into an empty net. To date, he is the only NHL goalie to have accomplished a shutout and scored a goal in the same game in such a fashion.

8. Linus Ullmark (Boston Bruins)

Linus Ullmark, known for his play for the Boston Bruins, scored by shooting the puck into an empty net. While it wasn't as historic as some of the other goals in this list, it remains a memorable moment in the NHL.

9. Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils)

Martin Brodeur, a well-known and successful goaltender for the New Jersey Devils, scored a total of three goals during his career. Two were during the regular season, and one was in the Stanley Cup playoffs. One of his regular-season goals was a shot into an empty net, while the other two were as the last Devils player to touch the puck.

10. Ron Hextall (Philadelphia Flyers)

Not only did Ron Hextall, a noteworthy Philadelphia Flyers goaltender, score a goal on December 8th, 1987, but he also became the first goalie in NHL history to score a goal from an actual shot on goal. He scored two goals, one during the regular season and one in the Stanley Cup playoffs, both times scoring into the empty net himself. This unique scoring method makes his achievements especially noteworthy.

11. Mika Noronen (Buffalo Sabres)

Mika Noronen, playing for the Buffalo Sabres, scored a goal after being the last Sabres player to touch the puck. Like many others on this list, his goal was a rare and memorable moment in the history of the NHL.

12. Mike Smith (Phoenix Coyotes)

Mike Smith, an important player for the Phoenix Coyotes, also scored a goal by shooting the puck into an empty net. Similar to Chris Osgood, his goal didn't happen under the most dramatic circumstances but was still a rare moment in the league.

13. Pekka Rinne (Nashville Predators)

Additionally, Pekka Rinne, a key player for the Nashville Predators, scored a goal by shooting the puck into an empty net. This adds to the collection of goaltenders who have broken the typical mold of NHL scorers.

Rare Feats of the NHL Goalies

Amongst all these goalies, Ron Hextall and Martin Brodeur are the only two who have accomplished the rare feat of scoring a goal twice. Their achievements stand out even more in the midst of the usual stats and records of the league.

Conclusion

While goaltenders are not typically associated with scoring goals in the NHL, the moments when they do score are historically significant. Their actions remind us of the unexpected moments that can arise even in such a professional and traditionally one-sided aspect of the sport. For fans of the league and history buffs, this list of goalies who have broken the mold is both fascinating and intriguing.

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