NHL: 30 best goalies of all time: 23. Mike Vernon
Stats:
- 88.9 save percentage
- 3.00 GAA
- 385 wins
Achievements:
- 2-time Stanley Cup champion
- 1-time All-Star
Mike Vernon makes his way on our list due to his consistency as a great NHL goalie. With the starting position officially his in 1985 with the Calgary Flames, Vernon averaged an impressive 3.31 GAA for eight seasons. During that stretch, he took home a Stanley Cup and was selected to four All-Star games.
While those statistics alone would be enough to earn a spot here, what Vernon was able to accomplish during the second half of his career, cemented his placement amongst the all-time greats. For the next nine straight seasons, Vernon’s GAA plummeted to sub-3.00. Even more impressive was his save percentage. Vernon went on a four-year run where he saved more than 91% of goals that were shot in his direction.
That run netted Vernon another All-Star appearance and one more Stanley Cup to add to his collection. Although he was never recognized as the top goalie in the league with the Vezina award, Vernon took home something else instead, the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1997.
To wrap up his career, Vernon proved that he still had plenty left in the tank. At the age of 38, he went on to have a GAA of 2.76 and a save percentage just shy of 90% checking in at 89.9. Whether he was towards the beginning of his career or more so at the tail end of it, Vernon was as productive as they come.