Grant Fuhr

Grant Fuhr
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2003
Fuhr in 2016
Born	(1962-09-28) September 28, 1962 (age 62) Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Right
Played for	Edmonton Oilers Toronto Maple Leafs Buffalo Sabres Los Angeles Kings St. Louis Blues Calgary Flames
National team	Canada
NHL draft	8th overall, 1981 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	1981–2000
Medal record Representing   Canada Men's ice hockey Canada Cup 1984 Canada 1987 Canada World Championships 1989 Sweden

Grant Scott Fuhr (born September 28, 1962) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League (NHL) and former goaltending coach for the Arizona Coyotes, who played for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s during which he won the Stanley Cup five times.

He was a six-time NHL All-Star and, in 2003, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In 2017, Fuhr was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. ^{[1] [2]} He set a number of firsts for black ice hockey players in the NHL, including being the first to win the Stanley Cup and being the first inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. ^[3]

Early life

Fuhr was born to one Afro-Canadian parent and one First Nation-Canadian parent from the Enoch Cree Nation; he was adopted by parents Betty Wheeler and Robert Fuhr and raised in Spruce Grove, Alberta. ^{[4] [5]}

In the mid-1970s, Fuhr played for the Enoch Tomahawks hockey team. ^{[6] [7] [8]} Fuhr's mother came from Enoch Cree Nation. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

In 1979, at the age of 17, Fuhr joined the Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL). After two outstanding seasons in Victoria, which included the league championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup in 1981, Fuhr was drafted eighth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, on June 10, 1981.

Playing career

Edmonton Oilers (1981–1991)

Fuhr played ten seasons for the Oilers, where he teamed up first with Andy Moog, then Bill Ranford to form one of the most formidable goaltending tandems in history, winning the Stanley Cup four times in five seasons (1983–84 through 1987–88). Moog was given the starting job in the 1983 playoffs and helped lead the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup Finals, though they were swept by the New York Islanders, who captured their fourth straight Stanley Cup. The next year general manager and head coach Glen Sather chose to go with Fuhr in the 1984 playoffs. However, Fuhr was injured in the third game of the Stanley Cup Finals in a rematch against the Islanders when he collided with Pat LaFontaine, so Moog stepped in and led the Oilers to a series win. After that, Fuhr remained the number one goaltender. Fuhr was also involved with the infamous goal where Steve Smith scored on his net to cost the Oilers the '86 playoffs against the Calgary Flames. Fuhr was the team's starting goaltender on the first four teams but was injured and did not play in the 1990 playoffs when the Oilers won for the fifth time.

In 1987, Fuhr played in goal for the NHL All-Stars in both games of the Rendez-Vous '87 series against the Soviet National Team. In 1987-88, Fuhr backstopped Canada to a victory at the Canada Cup, playing in all nine games, then played in 75 regular season and 19 playoff games. He won his only Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender that year. He finished second in voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, behind Mario Lemieux and ahead of teammate Wayne Gretzky. He also played in the National Hockey League All-Star Game in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1989. Fuhr's playoff success fed into his reputation as the supreme clutch goaltender of his era, and there was a period from 1987 through at least 1989 where Fuhr was often called "the best goaltender in the world".

Fuhr was suspended by the NHL for 59 games of the 1990–91 season. ^{[12] [13] [14]} Fuhr had come forward about his drug use after spending two weeks in a counseling centre in Florida. He admitted that he used "a substance" (not specifying whether or not it was cocaine) for some seven years, or most of the period that the Oilers rested at the top of the NHL. Details of Fuhr's drug use were supplied by his ex-wife, Corrine, who told the press in Edmonton that she often found cocaine hidden in his clothing and that she fielded numerous threatening telephone calls from drug dealers who had not been paid. These embarrassing details no doubt contributed to the one-year suspension handed down in September 1990 by NHL president John Ziegler, who called Fuhr's conduct "dishonorable and against the welfare of the league." ^[15] After missing 59 games and entering a two-week rehab program, the suspension was lifted by the league on February 18, 1991. ^[16] Once Fuhr was re-instated, fans of opposing teams taunted him at games with bags of sugar. ^{[ citation needed ]}

Post-Oilers career (1991–2000)

On September 19, 1991, Fuhr was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a seven-player deal. After a season and a half in Toronto, he was again traded, this time to the Buffalo Sabres, on February 2, 1993.

In Buffalo, he played a role in the Sabres' dramatic first-round playoff victory over the Boston Bruins, helped instill a winning attitude in the organization, and mentored a still relatively inexperienced Dominik Hašek. Fuhr then had a successful 1993–94 season with the Sabres, initially sharing goaltending duties with Hašek. Hašek became the Sabres' full-time starting goaltender after Fuhr suffered multiple injuries. Fuhr and Hašek were awarded the William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals allowed.

In May 1993, while a member of the Sabres, Fuhr was denied membership in the neighbouring Transit Valley Country Club. At the time, rumours floated that the denial was based on race, as several of Fuhr's white teammates had been granted membership. ^[17] Club officials denied they rejected Fuhr based on his race; rather, his application contained "incorrect and incomplete" information. Various acts of vandalism at the club occurred after news of Fuhr's rejection surfaced, including an incident where vandals burned a swastika onto one of the greens. ^[18] In light of the negative publicity, the club reversed its position and offered Fuhr not only membership but an apology as well. Fuhr rejected the membership and joined the nearby Lancaster Country Club. The club also temporarily suspended its membership committee and had an anti-bias policy written into its by-laws.

With Hašek now ensconced in the Sabres' net, Fuhr was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings, on February 14, 1995, reuniting him with Gretzky. ^[19]

Although he began the season out of shape and was considered to be past his prime, his career saw a resurgence when he signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues on July 14, before the 1995–96 season. He played 79 games that season, 76 consecutively, both NHL records. On November 30, Fuhr earned his 300th career win versus the Winnipeg Jets. Fuhr and Gretzky became teammates for the third time when the Blues acquired Gretzky in a trade with the Kings on February 27, 1996. The 1996 playoff run for Fuhr ended prematurely as Maple Leafs forward Nick Kypreos ran into him in the crease in the first round, causing him to tear several knee ligaments. Jon Casey had to play the rest of the playoffs. The Blues beat Toronto in the first round but lost to Detroit in the next. Even though over the next three years he became one of the three winningest goaltenders in Blues history (along with Mike Liut and Curtis Joseph), Fuhr never fully recovered from his injury. After the Blues signed Roman Turek as their new number-one goaltender in 1999, Fuhr was traded to the Calgary Flames on September 5, 1999. He spent one season there being a mentor for Calgary's young goaltenders, including Fred Brathwaite, and on October 22, he earned his 400th career win against the Florida Panthers. On April 5, 2000, following a 6–5 loss to St. Louis, which statistically eliminated the Flames from playoff contention that postseason, Fuhr announced that he would retire after the 1999–2000 season. ^[20]

International play

Fuhr was named to the 1984 Canada Cup team but saw limited action during the tournament due to an injury. Fuhr was again selected to represent Canada in the 1987 Canada Cup. It was here that he cemented his reputation as one of the best goaltenders in the game. Playing against a tough Soviet Union squad, Fuhr turned away shot after shot during the three-game final. ^[21] He also played for Canada at the 1989 World Championships where he won a silver medal.

Post-playing career

Fuhr was hired to be the Phoenix Coyotes goaltending coach on July 22, 2004. Fuhr held the position until the end of the 2008-09 season when he was replaced by Sean Burke. He held a similar post with the Calgary Flames in the 2000–2001 and 2001–2002 seasons.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2015, Fuhr collaborated on his biography with Bruce Dowbiggin, Grant Fuhr: The Story of a Hockey Legend. ^[22]

In 2022, Fuhr began doing radio and television broadcasting for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, ^[23] and joined the 3ICE 3-on-3 professional ice hockey summer league as a coach.

Personal life

Fuhr married Lisa Cavanaugh in the Cayman Islands on September 14, 2014. He has four children from previous marriages and a step-daughter.^{[ citation needed ]}

Fuhr was a regular competitor at the American Century Championship, an annual competition to determine the best golfers among American sports and entertainment celebrities. ^[24] The tournament is played at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course along the edge of Lake Tahoe. ^[25]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1979–80	Victoria Cougars	WHL		43	30	12	0	2488	130	3	3.14	.911		8	5	3	465	22	0	2.84	—
1980–81	Victoria Cougars	WHL		59	48	9	1	3448	160	4	2.78	.908		15	12	3	899	45	1	3.00	—
1980–81	Victoria Cougars	M-Cup		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		4	1	3	239	18	0	4.52	—
1981–82	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		48	28	5	14	2847	157	0	3.31	.899		5	2	3	309	26	0	5.05	.852
1982–83	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		32	13	12	5	1803	129	0	4.29	.868		1	0	0	11	0	0	0.00	1.000
1982–83	Moncton Alpines	AHL		10	4	5	1	604	40	0	3.97	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1983–84	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		45	30	10	4	2625	171	1	3.91	.883		16	11	4	882	44	1	3.00	.910
1984–85	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		46	26	8	7	2559	165	1	3.87	.884		18	15	3	1057	55	0	3.12	.895
1985–86	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		40	29	8	0	2184	143	0	3.93	.890		9	5	4	540	28	0	3.12	.897
1986–87	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		44	22	13	3	2388	137	0	3.44	.881		19	14	5	1143	47	0	2.47	.908
1987–88	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		75	40	24	9	4304	246	4	3.43	.881		19	16	2	1136	55	0	2.91	.883
1988–89	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		59	23	26	6	3341	213	1	3.83	.875		7	3	4	417	24	1	3.45	.894
1989–90	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		21	9	7	3	1081	70	1	3.89	.868		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	Cape Breton Oilers	AHL		2	2	0	0	120	6	0	3.00	.919		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1990–91	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		13	6	4	3	778	39	1	3.01	.897		18	8	7	1019	51	0	3.00	.895
1990–91	Cape Breton Oilers	AHL		4	2	2	0	240	17	0	4.25	.870		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		66	25	33	5	3774	230	2	3.66	.881		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		29	13	9	4	1665	87	1	3.14	.895		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		29	11	15	2	1694	98	0	3.47	.891		8	3	4	474	27	1	3.42	.875
1993–94	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		32	13	12	3	1726	106	2	3.68	.883		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Rochester Americans	AHL		5	3	0	2	310	10	0	1.94	.935		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		3	1	2	0	180	12	0	4.00	.859		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		14	1	7	3	698	47	0	4.04	.876		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1995–96	St. Louis Blues	NHL		79	30	28	16	4365	209	3	2.87	.903		2	1	0	69	1	0	0.87	.978
1996–97	St. Louis Blues	NHL		73	33	27	11	4261	193	3	2.72	.901		6	2	4	357	13	2	2.18	.929
1997–98	St. Louis Blues	NHL		58	29	21	6	3274	138	3	2.53	.883		10	6	4	615	28	0	2.73	.906
1998–99	St. Louis Blues	NHL		39	16	11	8	2193	89	2	2.44	.892		13	6	6	780	31	1	2.35	.898
1999–2000	Calgary Flames	NHL		23	5	13	2	1205	77	0	3.83	.856		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	Saint John Flames	AHL		2	0	2	0	99	10	0	6.05	.839		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				868	403	295	114	48,945	2,756	25	3.38	.887		150	92	50	8,808	430	6	2.93	.898

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA
1984	Canada	CC		2	1	0	1	120	6	0	3.00
1987	Canada	CC		9	6	1	2	575	32	0	3.34
1989	Canada	WC		5	1	3	1	298	18	1	3.62
Senior totals				16	8	4	4	993	56	1	3.38

Awards and honours

Award	Year(s)
Junior
President's Cup champion	1981
WHL First All-Star Team	1980, 1981
NHL
All-Star Game	1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989
First All-Star Team	1988
Second All-Star Team	1982
Stanley Cup champion	1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990
Vezina Trophy	1988
William M. Jennings Trophy Shared with Dominik Hašek	1994
International
CC All-Star Team	1987

• In 1998, he was ranked number 70 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players. ^[13]
• His no. 31 was retired by the Edmonton Oilers on October 9, 2003.
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
• Inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
• Named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017.

Hall of Fame induction

Fuhr was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 2, 2003. ^[13]

Wayne Gretzky has said on many occasions that he believes Fuhr is the greatest goaltender in NHL history. This is mentioned in an interview with Gretzky conducted by John Davidson as part of the 2003 DVD "Ultimate Gretzky". ^[26]

Records

• Holds NHL record for most assists and points by a goaltender in regular season and playoffs combined – 61
• Holds NHL record for longest undefeated streak by a goaltender in his first NHL season – 23 in 1981–82
• Holds NHL record for most assists in a single season by a goaltender – 14 in 1983–84
• Holds NHL record for most games played by a goaltender in a single season – 79 in 1995–96
• Holds NHL record for most consecutive appearances in a single season by a goaltender – 76 in 1996

See also

• List of black NHL players
• List of NHL goaltenders with 300 wins

References

1. "100 Greatest NHL Players". NHL.com. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
2. NHL (March 22, 2017), Grant Fuhr was first half-black player in Hall of Fame, archived from the original on December 12, 2021, retrieved April 25, 2017
3. "Soul on Ice: Blacks and Historic Firsts in Hockey". The Black Ice Project. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
4. Sports of The Times; Hockey's Minority Players Moving Past Trailblazer Stage, George Vescey, The New York Times , August 23, 2001.
5. Laskaris, Sam. "Indigenous players have hoisted Stanley Cup in the past; unclear when others will join them with NHL season on pause". Windspeaker.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
6. "Why hockey is more than a pastime for Enoch Cree Nation - Sportsnet.ca".
7. "ALUMNI: Minor hockey in Spruce Grove helped shape Fuhr's legendary career". July 22, 2018.
8. "Hometown Hockey in Spruce Grove".
9. "Grant Fuhr coming to Edmonton".
10. Martens, Kathleen (October 25, 2017). "Cree man collects hockey cards with a twist". Aptn News.
11. "Cree goalie hopes to succeed his hero".
12. "Fuhr Suspended One Year by NHL for Using Drugs". Articles.latimes.com. September 28, 1990. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
13. "Legends of Hockey - Spotlight - One on One with Grant Fuhr". Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
14. "Edmonton Oiler goalie Grant Fuhr returns to... February 18 in History". Brainyhistory.com. February 18, 1991. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
15. "HOCKEY; Fuhr Used Cocaine, Paper Says". The New York Times. September 1, 1990.
16. "Fuhr Suspension Helped Pave Way for NHL Drug Policy". The Hockey Writers. January 18, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
17. Kelley, Jim. "First black inductee pleased to be role model", ESPN.com , 2003–11–03. Retrieved on 2008–03–16
18. Club Is Vandalized In Fuhr Incident - The New York Times
19. Dillman, Lisa (February 14, 1995). "Kings Pay Dearly for a Worn Fuhr : Hockey: They acquire veteran goalkeeper, 32, two young defensemen from Sabres in exchange for Zhitnik, Huddy, Stauber". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
20. "Fuhr poised to end 18-year career". ESPN. Associated Press. April 6, 2000. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
21. Grant Fuhr Bio, Hockey Goalies.org
22. Whyno, Stephen (October 31, 2014). "Grant Fuhr shows comfort in life and decisions in new book". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
23. Bohannan, Larry (November 17, 2022). "Firebirds hockey team making its pitch in golf-friendly Coachella Valley". The Desert Sun. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
24. "American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Tournament – American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Tournament at Edgewood, South Lake Tahoe, Nevada". Tahoecelebritygolf.com. June 23, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
25. "Authentic. Relaxed. Inspiring". Edgewood Tahoe. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
26. Celebrity Participants Announced for 2007 Celebrity/Amateur Desert Golf & Poker Challenge Archived 2007-12-23 at the Wayback Machine , Celebrity Golf.com

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  Legends of Hockey , or  The Internet Hockey Database
• Grant Fuhr profile at hockeygoalies.org
• One on One at Legends of Hockey.com
• Audio interview re: NutriSystem May 2008

Preceded by Paul Coffey	Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick 1981	Succeeded by Jim Playfair
Preceded by Ron Hextall	Winner of the Vezina Trophy 1988	Succeeded by Patrick Roy
Preceded by Ed Belfour	Winner of the William M. Jennings Trophy 1994 With: Dominik Hašek	Succeeded by Ed Belfour