Best NHL goalie from each franchise: Chicago Blackhawks – Charlie Gardiner
In the late 20s and early 30s, there was only one goalie in the NHL that everyone kept talking about and that was Charlie Gardiner of the Chicago Blackhawks. He was a legendary player that will go down in NHL history as the only goalie that was also a team captain that ever won a Stanley Cup championship.
Gardiner accomplished this back in 1934 and before that won the Vezina Trophy twice for being the best goalie to allow the fewest goals in a season. He was so great at what he did that in his seven seasons with the Blackhawks, he got major recognition when it came to what his career meant to the world of professional hockey.
It was in 1945 when the Hockey Hall of Fame was created that the committee made sure to recognize Gardiner and all his talents as an inaugural inductee. It was an amazing thing to do considering that unfortunately, Gardiner passed away just a few months after that incredible championship season due to a brain hemorrhage.
It’s a shame that is what ultimately happened to Gardiner as one can only imagine what else he could have accomplished if he was able to keep on playing for the Blackhawks. Regardless, he is a staple of franchise history and was mostly responsible for bringing the first Stanley Cup championship to the Windy City.