Crawford hangs his leggings | The Journal of Montreal

Growing thin, after two decades of dominance, the fraternity of Quebec NHL goalkeepers now has a smaller membership. On Saturday afternoon, Corey Crawford announced his retirement.

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The 36-year-old goaltender, originally from Chattanooga, had just finished a ten-season career on the Betman circuit. With 260 wins in 488 appearances before the Net, including 26 by Shutout.

“I’m lucky to have a long career,” Quebecker said in a press release. I wanted to chase her, but I gave everything I could to hockey and decided it was time for retirement. “

Winner of two Jennings Trophies and a member of the 2010-11 Rookie All-Star team during the 2010-11 season, the man who managed the castle in their 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup victories for the Chicago Black Hawks.

In fact, Crawford holds the franchise record for most wins in the playoffs (52). It finished fifth as the Quebec goaltender in the playoffs.

“I thank the Blackhawks for giving me the opportunity to spend my childhood dream,” said the father of two boys. I am proud to be part of two winning editions of the Stanley Cup in Chicago. “

A leader without a letter

If Jonathan Toves has been the undisputed leader of the company for a dozen years, Crawford’s dominance in the locker room is just as important.

“Corey doesn’t have a letter on his ater loco, but he’s a great leader in Chicago. He took me under his wing. I came to Chicago, it’s my birthday, and he came to dine with me. It showed a great leader and he’s a good man. Said Philip Donald, author of these lines after Canadian training.

Victoriavillos Crawford teammate for 32 games including 30 games in the 2015-2016 season.

“He’s an incredible player and it’s been a big part of our championships for the last 10 to 15 years,” Patrick Kane said on the National Hockey League website. He’s a great guy to be around, he always looks good and even competes in training. In that sense, he helped me improve. ”

One week hints

Second round pick (52^E Overall) From Blackhawks in 2003, Crawford joined the New Jersey Devils last October as a free agent. In the end, he never wears this uniform.

The first signs of retirement appeared a week ago. After participating in the first two days of Devil’s Camp (December 31st and 1st)^Is January), he did not return to the rink.

On Friday, Devil Crawford reportedly resigned indefinitely for personal reasons. Crawford, who returned to play 40 regular season games and nine more in the final playoff tournament, has lost a total of 80 games over the last two seasons with concussions.

Following Crawford’s retirement, only Mark-Andre Fleury and Jonathan Bernier have been regular Quebec goaltenders in the NHL.

– In collaboration with Benoit Reox, Agens QMI

Quebec goalkeepers are high Playoff wins

• Patrick Roy: 151
• Martin Brodier: 113
• Mark-Andre Fleury: 81
• Jacques Plante: 71
• Corey Crawford: 52