NHL: The best goalie from each franchise’s history (Updated 2023)

Best NHL goalie from each franchise: Detroit Red Wings – Terry Sawchuk

Goalie Terry Sawchuk made the Detroit Red Wings the team to beat in the mid-50s. At 5-11 and 195lbs, Sawchuk used his speed and tenacity to enjoy three Stanley Cup championships with the team in 1952, 1954, and 1955, respectively.

Sawchuk played in over 1,000 hockey games and totaled 971 regular-season wins, 103 shutouts, and was one of the best goalies playing in the 50s, 60s, and even early 70s. In the postseason, Sawchuk achieved 54 wins and 12 shutouts.

Once Sawchuk retired back in 1970, he was one of just 10 players to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame the following year without having to wait the usual waiting period. This is how legendary Sawchuk was and it wasn’t until decades later, the Red Wings did right for his legacy.

In 1994, the Red Wings finally retired his jersey No. 1 and hung it proudly in Little Caesars Arena. Sawchuk’s legacy will never be forgotten on the Red Wings as he’ll go down in franchise history as their best goalie of all time.