RON TUGNUTT


'Ron Tugnutt' (born October 22, 1967 in Scarborough, Ontario) is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the OHL from 1984-1987 and was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques of the NHL in the 4th round, 81st overall.
Although he has not officially retired, Tugnutt is currently a broadcasting member for CBC's ''Hockey Night in Canada''.

Contents
Playing career
Early years
NHL beginnings
Career breakthrough
Recent career
Post-retirement
Style of play
Off the ice
Career statistics
Regular season
Playoffs
Honours and records
International play
International statistics
Awards
Trade history
External link
Notes and references

Playing career


Early years

Tugnutt was born in Scarborough, Ontario and played three seasons with the OHL Peterborough Petes before being drafted to the NHL. During that time, he won the F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy for the rookie with the best goals against average, followed by the Dave Pinkney Trophy for top team goaltending, and was named to the OHL All Star team in 1987.
NHL beginnings

He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 4th round, 87th overall. He was primarily used as a backup for his first three seasons, bouncing up and down from the AHL. During 1990-91 NHL season, Tugnutt played what would be a career high 56 games for Quebec.
On March 21, 1991, Tugnutt stopped 70 of 73 shots to earn his a 3-3 tie against the Boston Bruins, the second highest number of saves made in a regular season NHL game. His performance in that game evoked such respect that after it was over, several Bruins skated over to congratulate Tugnutt.[1]
After an inconsistent year, Tugnutt returned to his backup duties with the struggling Quebec squad in 1992. He was then traded to the Edmonton Oilers. For the next three years Tugnutt bounced around from Edmonton to Anaheim to Montreal getting little ice time, and questioning his career.[2]
Career breakthrough

In 1995, Tugnutt signed a one year deal with Washington and spent the entire NHL season with the AHL affiliate Portland Pirates. He was productive in Portland, helping lead the Pirates to the Calder Cup Finals.[3]
It was this showing that earned Tugnutt a deal with the Ottawa Senators. With the help of goaltending coach Phil Myre, Tugnutt worked on the fundamentals, gained some confidence and improved his game each season. While in Ottawa, he went from fighting for the backup position with Mike Bales behind starter Damian Rhodes to splitting duties with Rhodes the next two seasons.
In 1998-99, Tugnutt had the best season of his career. He posted a league-best goals against average of 1.79, placed second in the league in save percentage at .925, had a career high in wins, and tied a career high in shutouts. This great play, and an injury to Curtis Joseph, gave Tugnutt the opportunity to play in the 1999 NHL All-Star Game.
The next season, Rhodes was shipped to the expansion Atlanta Thrashers, giving Tugnutt sole possession of the starting job. However, he was unable to match his previous season and Ottawa decided to trade him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in favor of an experienced playoff performer, Tom Barrasso.
After arriving in Pittsburgh, Tugnutt took over the starting job from Jean Sebastien Aubin and helped lead Pittsburgh deep into the playoffs. Tugnutt was in goal for the epic May 4, 2000, playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He made 70 saves on 72 shots. Unfortunately for the Penguins, the 72nd shot was a goal scored by Keith Primeau of the Flyers at 12:01 of the fifth overtime. The final score was Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1, after 152:01 minutes, the longest NHL game since the 1930s.
Following his performance with Pittsburgh, Tugnutt was one of the most sought after free agents on the market. Both Ottawa and Pittsburgh attempted to sign Tugnutt but were unable to match the lucrative contract offered by the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets.[4][5]
During the Blue Jackets' inaugural season, Tugnutt was considered their backbone. Tugnutt's 22 wins broke another NHL record for most the wins on an expansion team. His .924 save percentage was among the best in the league.[6]
The team's second season was not as impressive as the first. Tugnutt battled injuries and ended up sharing time with young netminder Marc Denis. GM Doug MacLean decided that it was time to give Denis the opportunity to be the sole starter on the club, and traded Tugnutt to the Dallas Stars.[7]
Recent career

Tugnutt went to the Dallas Stars in 2002-03 as the backup to goaltender Marty Turco. In January 2003, Turco suffered an ankle injury that allowed Tugnutt to start almost 20 straight games. He posted back to back shutouts during that stretch. For the season, he played 31 games and posted a 15-10-5 record along with four shutouts.
2003-04 was considered Tugnutt's toughest year in the NHL. From the start of the season to January he only received three starts. He was sent down to the minors for the first time in almost ten years to get some playing time with the Utah Grizzlies. Just five games in, Tugnutt pulled his groin and was out until after the All Star break.[8] Soon after, he was recalled to the Dallas Stars. After two solid starts, one in which was a shutout, Tugnutt finally got the break he was waiting for. Turco got a four game suspension.[9]
Tugnutt played solid in crucial games between Vancouver and San Jose. Both in which he lost in overtime, 3-2, and 2-1 respectively. During the San Jose game, Tugnutt was named Pierre McGuire's Monster Performer. He ended up losing all four contests, although the Dallas Stars were missing several key defencemen, and forwards.
That was Tugnutt's last game in the NHL to date. He is currently listed as an Unrestricted Free Agent.
Post-retirement

After the lockout, Tugnutt joined CBC as a color commentator for Hockey Night in Canada.[10] He is also inquiring into becoming a goaltending coach.

Style of play


Tugnutt is a cross between a stand-up goaltender and a butterfly goaltender. In his earlier years he was known to flop around the crease too much, and not challenge shooters enough. However, since his days in Ottawa, under goaltending coach Phil Myre Tugnutt has become a much more position goaltender, standing tall in his crease and always ready to make the save. What kept him around the league so long, was his ability to adjust his style to the changing styles of the NHL.

Off the ice



★ Tugnutt, who is known around the league as one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, has only had one problem with a fellow netminder. That was in Montreal with Patrick Roy. Roy apparently slighted Tugnutt, letting him know who was boss and who was "that guy who only plays when I don't feel like it." Tugnutt has since put his differences aside with Roy, but hasn't forgotten.[11]

★ Tugnutt is married to wife Lisa, and has two children, Matthew and Jacob.

★ Currently, Tugnutt resides in Ottawa, Ontario.

★ He spends much of his free time coaching his kids minor hockey team.

★ Tugnutt is also a movie buff, he enjoys boating and travelling. In the summer of 1998, Tugnutt was involved in a severe boating accident. It was suspected that he might miss out on training camp. Ironically enough, Tugnutt healed and had the best season of his career, breaking the modern day NHL record for lowest G.A.A and coming 2nd in the league in save percentage.[12]

Career statistics


Regular season

Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SVP%
1984-85 Peterborough Petes OHL 18 7 4 2 938 59 0 3.77 -
1985-86 Peterborough Petes OHL 26 18 7 0 1543 74 1 2.88 -
1986-87 Peterborough Petes OHL 31 21 7 2 1891 88 2 2.79 -
1987-88 Fredericton Express AHL 34 20 9 4 1964 118 1 3.60 -
1987-88 Quebec Nordiques NHL 6 2 3 0 284 16 0 3.38 .870
1988-89 Halifax Citadels AHL 24 14 7 2 1368 79 1 3.46 -
1988-89 Quebec Nordiques NHL 26 10 10 3 1367 82 0 3.60 .892
1989-90 Halifax Citadels AHL 6 1 5 0 366 23 0 3.77 -
1989-90 Quebec Nordiques NHL 35 5 24 3 1978 152 0 4.61 .859
1990-91 Halifax Citadels AHL 2 0 1 0 100 8 0 4.80 -
1990-91 Quebec Nordiques NHL 56 12 29 10 3144 212 0 4.04 .886
1991-92 Halifax Citadels AHL 8 3 3 1 447 30 0 4.03 -
1991-92 Quebec/Edmonton NHL 33 7 18 3 1707 116 1 4.08 .864
1992-93 Edmonton Oilers NHL 26 9 12 2 1338 93 0 4.17 .879
1993-94 Anaheim/Montreal NHL 36 12 18 2 1898 100 1 3.16 .900
1994-95 Montreal Canadiens NHL 7 1 3 1 346 18 0 3.12 .895
1995-96 Portland Pirates AHL 58 21 23 6 3068 171 2 3.34 .898
1996-97 Ottawa Senators NHL 37 17 15 1 1991 93 3 2.80 .895
1997-98 Ottawa Senators NHL 42 15 14 8 2236 84 3 2.25 .905
1998-99 Ottawa Senators NHL 43 22 10 8 2508 75 3 1.79 .925
1999-00 Ottawa/Pittsburgh NHL 51 22 14 8 2809 118 4 2.52 .903
2000-01 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 53 22 25 5 3129 127 4 2.44 .917
2001-02 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 44 12 27 3 2502 119 2 2.85 .900
2002-03 Dallas Stars NHL 31 15 10 5 1701 70 4 2.47 .896
2003-04 Dallas Stars NHL 11 3 7 0 548 22 1 2.41 .900
OHL Totals 75 46 18 4 4372 221 3 3.03 -
AHL Totals 137 60 51 14 7594 443 4 3.50 -
NHL Totals (16 NHL Seasons) 537 186 239 62 29486 1497 26 3.05 .895

Playoffs

Season Team League GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SVP%
1985-86 Peterborough Petes OHL 3 2 0 133 6 0 2.70 -
1986-87 Peterborough Petes OHL 6 3 3 374 21 1 3.36 -
1987-88 Fredericton Express AHL 4 1 2 204 11 0 3.23 -
1991-92 Edmonton Oilers NHL 2 0 0 60 3 0 3.00 .919
1993-94 Montreal Canadiens NHL 1 0 1 59 5 0 5.08 .833
1995-96 Portland Pirates AHL 13 7 6 782 36 1 2.76 -
1996-97 Ottawa Senators NHL 7 3 4 425 14 1 1.97 .923
1997-98 Ottawa Senators NHL 2 0 1 74 6 0 4.86 .806
1998-99 Ottawa Senators NHL 2 0 2 118 6 0 3.05 .872
1999-00 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 11 6 5 746 22 2 1.76 .945
OHL Totals 9 5 3 507 27 1 3.19 -
AHL Totals 17 8 8 986 47 1 2.86 -
NHL Totals 25 9 13 1482 56 3 2.26 .923

Honours and records



★ Modern day record holder for most shots faced in a regular season game. (70/73 in a 3-3 tie against Boston; March21, 1991.)

★ 10th all time for lowest goals-against average during the regular season.

★ Named to the NHL first All-star Team in 1998-99.

★ Tied with Dominik Hasek for Ottawa Senators highest regular season save percentage.

★ Leader in save percentage for the 1999-2000 Playoffs

★ Holds Pittsburgh Penguins record for highest save percentage in the playoffs

★ Record holder for most wins in the regular season on an expansion team.

★ Holds Columbus Blue Jackets record for lowest goals-against average in the regular season.[13]

★ Has Division named in his honour in the FCHL.

International play


After a disappointing 4 game sweep in the NHL playoffs, Tugnutt was more than excited to play for Team Canada in the World Hockey Championship. The semi-final game was against the Czech Republic in which Canada lost after the game went undecided in overtime, ending in a shootout. This was Tugnutt's second appearance on Team Canada. He played for them in 1993 as well.[14]
International statistics

Year Team Event GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SVP%
1993 CAN WCh 4 - - - 125 6 - 2.87 -
1998 CAN WCh 7 4 3 0 328 11 0 2.01 .915
Combined Totals 11 4 3 0 453 17 0 2.25 -

Awards


Trade history



★ He was traded (with left-winger Brad Zavisha) to the Edmonton Oilers, for LW Martin Rucinsky, on March 10th 1992.

★ He was selected by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim as part of the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft on June 24th, 1993.

★ On February 20th, 1994, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for forward Stephen Lebeau.

★ Signed as a free agent by the Washington Capitals in the summer of 1995.

★ Signed as a free agent by the Ottawa Senators in the summer of 1996.

★ He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Janne Laukkanen, for goaltender Tom Barrasso, on March 14th, 2000.

★ Signed as a free agent by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the summer of 2000.

★ Traded, along with second-round draft pick in 2002 entry draft, to the Dallas Stars, for a first-round draft pick in the 2002 entry draft, in June 2002.

External link



The Unofficial Website of Ron Tugnutt

Notes and references



1. New York Times, March 21, 1991
2. TSN.ca player profile
3. The AHL.com, Portland rejuvanates Tugnutt's career
4. Post-Gazette, Sens want Tugnutt Back, Tugnutt hot on free agent market
5. Canoe Sports Slam Hockey, Tugnutt Signs with Columbus
6. The Sports Network, Tugnutt was the backbone to Columbus
7. HockeyInformer.com, Denis had potential to be starter
8. AllSports.com,Tugnutt pulls groin in minors
9. ESPN, Turco Suspended 4 Games
10. SLAM! Sports, Tugnutt Joins CBC as Commentator
11. SLAM! Sports, There's only one goalie Tugnutt couldn't work with
12. Hockey Goalies, Tugnutt Profile, and boating accident
13. Goalies Archive, Tugnutt's Honours and Records
14. Ottawa Sun, Shootout loss to Czechs



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