NHL: 30 best goalies of all time: 11. Turk Broda
Stats:
- Save percentage N/A
- 2.53 GAA
- 304 wins
Achievements:
- 5-time Stanley Cup champion
- 3-time All-Star
- 2-time Vezina Award winner
Turk Broda, like many of the recent names on this list, played in an era that is almost forgotten. The black and white old grainy tapes are difficult to watch and the voices that were screaming of his dominance have somewhat quieted. Yet, we won’t allow a name such as Turk Broda to fade into the shadows.
For roughly a decade and a half, Broda made the life of Maple Leafs fans a happy one. Though there were no calculations of his save percentage, Broda’s GAA was always ranked amongst the best. He began his career in 1936 and for six straight seasons, he averaged a GAA of 2.33.
His dominant run catapulted him to numerous awards such as two Vezina trophies and a pair of Stanley Cups. In his last full season on the ice which came in 1950, Broda proved that age was nothing but a number as he recorded a GAA of 2.23. He took home 15 wins that year across 10 losses and while he still had plenty left in the tank, he called it a career the following year after playing only one game.
Although many will have a difficult time recognizing his pictures, Broda should never be forgotten. He currently ranks 43rd all-time in GAA and led the league twice when he played. His 61 career shutouts also rank 18th all-time. Broda was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967.