Five atypical goalkeepers in the final

While tall, beefy and athletic goalies are popular in the National Hockey League, Anton Khudobin is defying this trend.

At 5’11  » and 195 lbs, the Dallas Stars goalie isn’t the most imposing. However, his fighting spirit in front of his net allows him to assert himself as the most useful player to his team since the start of the playoffs.

Still seen as a reserve goalie, Khudobin is three wins away from leading the Stars’ organization to a second Stanley Cup. Who would’ve believed that ?

In addition to his size, it is Khudobin’s style that commands attention. He is not the most elegant. Sometimes he gives the impression that his gestures and movements are improvised.

However, in his case, that is not the way, but rather the result.

Khodobin’s performances allowed me to remember the atypical or very unorthodox goalies who reached and even won the Stanley Cup.

RON HEXTALL (1987 and 1997)

Ron Hextall went to the Stanley Cup final twice (1987-1997), but each time the Philadelphia Flyers lost.

In 1987, despite the loss, Hextall still got his hands on the Conn-Smythe Trophy. His style was unique. Slender and aggressive, Hextall was a feared keeper due to his hot temper.

ARTUS IRBE (2002)

Originally from Latvia, Artus Irbe had a style of his own. His big white leggings and his helmet with a large wire mesh set him apart from other goalkeepers.

In 2002, Irbe helped the Carolina Hurricanes surprise and reach the Stanley Cup final against the Detroit Red Wings.

ANTTI NIEMI (2010)

In 2010, Antti Niemi came out of nowhere when he led the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup. The Finnish goalkeeper had stolen the post of goalkeeper number from Cristobal Huet.

His time with the Montreal Canadiens showed us that Niemi had his own way of stopping a puck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lNAHdEzVJg

TIM THOMAS (2011)

When he was a ninth round pick for the Quebec Nordiques in 1994, Tim Thomas was not a goalie who would win two Vézina trophies, a Conn-Smythe trophy and a Stanley Cup.

On the ice, Thomas often seemed to be doing “anything” to stop the pucks. However, his consistency and repeated saves allowed him to assert himself as one of the best especially when he won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

DOMINIK HASEK (2002)

Dominik Hasek is certainly one of the best goalies in NHL history. In total, he will have won the Vézina Trophy six times and the Hart Trophy twice. His style left no one indifferent.

We quickly realized that his many incredible stops were calculated. In 2002, he finally won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings.