NHL Goalie: Tom Barrasso Trivia Quiz

Answer: Thomas Patrick Barrasso

Thomas Patrick Barrasso was an impressive talent, and was drafted at the young age of 18. He played a grand total of 21 seasons in his career, before retiring at the age of 38.

Answer: He was the highest drafted goaltender in history

Being drafted fifth overall, Tom Barrasso had some large shoes or rather, skates to fill. He no doubt met his grand expectations, becoming the most successful American goaltender in NHL history in victories, consecutive wins, and points. Tom's draft record was beaten in 1997 by Roberto Luongo (fourth overall), by the NY Islanders, and then beaten again when Rick DiPietro was drafted first overall in the 2000 NHL draft.

Other notable goalies who were drafted higher than him included Marc Andre Fleury (1st overall) in 2003, and Kari Lehtonen (2nd overall) in 2002.

Answer: New York Islanders

Tom Barrasso played for the Buffalo Sabres from his NHL debut in the 1983-84 season, until joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1988-89 season. He played for the Penguins until the 1999-00 season when he joined the Ottawa Senators for a total of 7 games.

He missed the entire 2000-01 season to free agency, but returned in 2001-02 as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs. His last six games, were played in the 2002-03 season as a member of the St. Louis Blues.

Answer: Wayne Gretzky

On January 13, 1985, Barrasso conceded the 400th goal of Wayne Gretzky's career, in a losing effort against the Edmonton Oilers. Wayne Gretzky never stopped at Barrasso, recording a grand total of 894 goals, 1963 assists, and a grand total of 2857 points before retiring. The goal from Gretzky was the only milestone goal that Barrasso ever conceded from any big-name player.

Answer: 48

Although Barrasso was mainly a solitary figure who enjoyed stopping pucks, he was also a natural point getter. In 777 games, he recorded an impressive 48 points all of which were assists. His career high came in the 1992-93 season when he recorded 8 assists in 63 games. That total was more points than six other players on his team, and one less than two other regular players.

Answer: True

Tom won the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. His team won the cup against the Minnesota North Stars, in the 1990-91 season, in a four game sweep. His team followed it up with another four game sweep, that time against the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1991-92 season. That postseason, Tom Barrasso had the longest single season postseason winning streak with eleven consecutive victories.

He had three consecutive victories against the NY Rangers, four consecutive against the Bruins, and then another four in the final.

Answer: Ken Dryden

Ken Dryden was one of the game's greatest goaltenders. In his career, he played 397 games for only one team, the Montreal Canadiens. He recorded a very impressive 258-57-74 record in his productive career, topping it off with six Stanley Cup victories. Dryden shutdown the Bruins on home turf, on October 6 of 1977. Barrasso was the next one to accomplish the feat, more than seven years later.

Answer: King Clancy Trophy

Tom Barrasso won the Vezina Trophy as best goaltender, and the Calder Memorial Trophy, as best rookie in his first NHL season. In that first season, Barrasso played 42 games, recording a 26-12-3 record with 2 shutouts, a 2.84 goals against average, and a 0.893% save average.

In the 1984-85 season, Barrasso won the William M. Jennings Trohpy as the goalie who played for the team with the fewest goals against. He recorded a 2.66 goals against average with a 0.887% save average.

Answer: No

Despite recording 38 career shutouts, he never recorded two in succession. The closest he ever came to achieving the goal was in the 1997-98 season, when he recorded two shutouts in three games. Barrasso recorded a 5-0 shutout on November 15, 1997, then ended up with a 3-3 tie against Boston. On November 20, he ended up with a 2-0 shutout victory against Ottawa.

Answer: Broken knee

In his considerably long NHL career, Tom was injured a grand total of thirty times. He missed more than 214 games of his career to injuries, ranging from a recurring shoulder injury, to a broken hand. He also missed time due to illnesses that most people passed as children. Because of his anti-team attitude and his injuries, few teams wanted him in long term contracts making large sums of money. Because of his attitude and injuries, he ended up missing the entire 2000-01 season due to free-agency.