Mr. Goalie Glenn Hall
Hall made significant contributions to the sport during his playing days.
Here are some highlights from his remarkable NHL career:
Glenn Henry Hall, born on October 3, 1931, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He had an illustrious career in the National Hockey League (NHL), playing for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and St. Louis Blues. Hall was known for his consistency and remarkable performance throughout his career.
Detroit Red Wings
Hall signed with the Detroit Red Wings in 1949 after playing junior hockey for the Humboldt Indians and Windsor Spitfires. Although he spent a few years in Detroit’s minor system, he finally made the Red Wings’ lineup as their starting goalie in the 1955–56 season. In his first entire season with the Red Wings, Hall played in every game, recorded twelve shutouts, won the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, and was voted the Second Team All-Star goaltender. His play was so exemplary that the Red Wings sent legendary goalie Terry Sawchuk to Boston.
Chicago Black Hawks
Despite his stellar play in Detroit, Hall was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks along with NHL Players’ Association co-organizer Ted Lindsay. In Chicago, Hall continued to excel. He played every regular-season game as well as every playoff game. In 1961, he backstopped the Black Hawks to their first Stanley Cup Championship since 1938, defeating his former team, the Red Wings. In Chicago, Hall continued to excel. He played every regular-season game as well as every playoff game. In 1961, he backstopped the Black Hawks to their first Stanley Cup Championship since 1938, defeating his former team, the Red Wings.
St. Louis Blues
Hall’s career extended to other teams as well. He played for the St. Louis Blues during their early years. He would help the Blues reach the Stanley Cup Final in the team’s first three years, only to be swept each time, twice by the Montreal Canadiens and again in 1970, where Bobby Orr would clinch the cup for Boston with the “Flying Goal” which he scored on Glenn Hall.
He retired as a Blue after the 1970–71 season.
Record Streak
Hall achieved an incredible feat by playing 502 consecutive complete games, spanning eight seasons—an NHL record for goaltenders that is unlikely to be broken. He did this despite a fear of losing that made him so fearful that he would often vomit before big games.
His durability and consistency were unmatched during that era.
Awards and Honors
Hall won the Vezina Trophy three times (awarded to the goaltender on the team, allowing the fewest goals against). He was voted the First Team All-Star goaltender a record seven times. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s best rookie.
Known as “Mr. Goalie,” he was also instrumental in developing and popularizing the butterfly style of goalkeeping.
Hall of Fame Induction
Glenn Hall was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975, cementing his legacy as one of hockey’s all-time greats.
In summary, Glenn Hall’s remarkable NHL career spanned 18 seasons with multiple teams—Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and St. Louis Blues. His impressive stats include a record of 407 wins, a goals-against average of 2.50, and a save percentage of .918 across 906 games. His impact on goaltending techniques and consistent performance make him an enduring figure in hockey history.
Here are some highlights from Glenn Hall’s impressive career:
- Calder Memorial Trophy: As a rookie, Hall won the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the best rookie player in the NHL.
- Vezina Trophies: He received the Vezina Trophy three times during his career. At that time, this award was given to the goaltender on the team who allowed the fewest goals. Nowadays, this distinction results in being awarded the William M. Jennings Trophy.
- All-Star Goaltender: Hall was voted the First Team All-Star goaltender seven times. His consistent performance made him one of the league’s top goalies.
- Butterfly Style: Nicknamed “Mr. Goalie,” Glenn Hall was the first goaltender to develop and effectively use the butterfly style of goalkeeping. This technique revolutionized goaltending and is still widely used today.
- Stanley Cup Champion: In 1961, Hall backstopped the Chicago Black Hawks to their first Stanley Cup Championship since 1938, defeating his former team, the Detroit Red Wings.
- Ironman Streak: Hall played an incredible 502 consecutive complete games over eight seasons—an NHL record for goaltenders that is unlikely to be broken.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to hockey, Glenn Hall was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history in 2017. His legacy as a skilled and reliable goaltender inspires players and fans.
Awards and achievements
- Calder Memorial Trophy Winner in 1956.
- Played in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, and 1969 NHL All-Star Games.
- Selected to the NHL’s first All-Star team in 1957, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1966, and 1969.
- Selected to the NHL’s second All-Star team in 1956, 1961, 1962, and 1967.
- Vezina Trophy Winner in 1963, 1967, and 1969.
- Conn Smythe Trophy Winner in 1968.
- Stanley Cup Championship in 1952, 1961, and 1989 (as goaltender coach).
- He holds an NHL record for most consecutive games started by a goaltender with 502 games.
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975.
- In 1998, he was ranked number 16 on The Hockey News’ list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
- In January 2017, Hall was part of the first group of players named one of the ‘100 Greatest NHL Players’ in history.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs (Mr. Goalie Glenn Hall)
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 1947–48 | Humboldt Indians | N-SJHL | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 300 | 17 | 0 | 3.40 | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 120 | 15 | 0 | 7.50 | — | ||
| 1948–49 | Humboldt Indians | N-SJHL | 24 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 1420 | 86 | 1 | 3.63 | — | 7 | 3 | 4 | 420 | 36 | 0 | 5.14 | — | ||
| 1949–50 | Windsor Spitfires | OHA-Jr. | 43 | 31 | 11 | 1 | 2580 | 152 | 0 | 3.53 | — | 11 | 6 | 5 | 660 | 37 | 0 | 3.36 | — | ||
| 1950–51 | Windsor Spitfires | OHA-Jr. | 54 | 32 | 18 | 4 | 3240 | 167 | 6 | 3.09 | — | 8 | — | — | 480 | 30 | 0 | 3.75 | — | ||
| 1951–52 | Indianapolis Capitals | AHL | 68 | 22 | 40 | 6 | 4190 | 272 | 0 | 3.89 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1952–53 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 63 | 27 | 27 | 9 | 3780 | 207 | 2 | 3.29 | — | 15 | 10 | 5 | 905 | 53 | 0 | 3.51 | — | ||
| 1952–53 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 360 | 10 | 1 | 1.67 | .931 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1953–54 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 70 | 29 | 30 | 11 | 4200 | 259 | 0 | 3.70 | — | 13 | 7 | 6 | 783 | 44 | 2 | 3.37 | — | ||
| 1954–55 | Edmonton Flyers | WHL | 66 | 38 | 18 | 10 | 3960 | 187 | 5 | 2.83 | — | 16 | 11 | 5 | 1000 | 43 | 1 | 2.58 | — | ||
| 1954–55 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 2 | 0 | 1.00 | .967 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1955–56 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 70 | 30 | 24 | 16 | 4200 | 147 | 12 | 2.10 | .921 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 604 | 28 | 0 | 2.78 | .908 | ||
| 1956–57 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 70 | 38 | 20 | 12 | 4200 | 156 | 4 | 2.23 | .926 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 300 | 15 | 0 | 3.00 | .884 | ||
| 1957–58 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 70 | 24 | 39 | 7 | 4200 | 200 | 7 | 2.86 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1958–59 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 70 | 28 | 29 | 13 | 4200 | 208 | 1 | 2.97 | .897 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 360 | 21 | 0 | 3.50 | .909 | ||
| 1959–60 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 70 | 28 | 29 | 13 | 4200 | 180 | 6 | 2.57 | .917 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 249 | 14 | 0 | 3.37 | .892 | ||
| 1960–61 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 70 | 29 | 24 | 17 | 4200 | 176 | 6 | 2.51 | .920 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 772 | 26 | 2 | 2.02 | .936 | ||
| 1961–62 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 70 | 31 | 26 | 13 | 4200 | 185 | 9 | 2.64 | .913 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 720 | 31 | 2 | 2.58 | .924 | ||
| 1962–63 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 66 | 30 | 20 | 15 | 3910 | 166 | 5 | 2.55 | .916 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 360 | 25 | 0 | 4.17 | .896 | ||
| 1963–64 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 65 | 34 | 19 | 11 | 3860 | 148 | 7 | 2.30 | .930 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 408 | 22 | 0 | 3.24 | .889 | ||
| 1964–65 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 41 | 18 | 17 | 5 | 2440 | 99 | 4 | 2.43 | .920 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 760 | 28 | 1 | 2.21 | .925 | ||
| 1965–66 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 64 | 31 | 24 | 7 | 3747 | 164 | 4 | 2.63 | .914 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 347 | 22 | 0 | 3.80 | .874 | ||
| 1966–67 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 32 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 1664 | 66 | 2 | 2.38 | .920 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 176 | 8 | 0 | 2.73 | .923 | ||
| 1967–68 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 49 | 19 | 21 | 9 | 2858 | 118 | 5 | 2.48 | .912 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 1111 | 45 | 1 | 2.43 | .916 | ||
| 1968–69 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 41 | 19 | 12 | 8 | 2354 | 85 | 8 | 2.17 | .928 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 131 | 5 | 0 | 2.29 | .931 | ||
| 1969–70 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 18 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 1010 | 49 | 1 | 2.91 | .904 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 421 | 21 | 0 | 2.99 | .907 | ||
| 1970–71 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 31 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 1761 | 71 | 2 | 2.42 | .917 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 180 | 9 | 0 | 3.00 | .864 | ||
| NHL totals | 906 | 407 | 326 | 162 | 53,544 | 2,230 | 84 | 2.49 | .917 | 115 | 49 | 65 | 6,899 | 320 | 6 | 2.78 | .911 | ||||
