Glenn Hall, a Hockey Hall of Famer whose ironman streak of 502 starts as a goaltender remains an NHL record, has died at the age of 94. Nicknamed 'Mr. Goalie', Hall's remarkable career spanned the Original Six era into the expansion era, a time when goaltenders played without masks. He was a true pioneer, setting the bar for future generations of goalies.
Hall's impact on the game was immense. He led the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 1961 and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs in 1968 with the St. Louis Blues. His record of over 500 games in net is one of the most impressive in sports history, and it's even more remarkable considering the changes in goaltending equipment over the decades. Only Alec Connell comes close with 257 consecutive starts from 1924-1930.
'Glenn was sturdy, dependable, and a spectacular talent in net,' said Commissioner Gary Bettman. 'His record, set from 1955-1956 to 1962-1963, still stands and is almost unfathomable, especially when you consider he did it all without a mask.'
Hall's success extended beyond the ice. He won the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year in 1956 with the Detroit Red Wings and was a two-time Vezina Trophy winner with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1963 and 1967. He helped the St. Louis Blues reach the finals in their first three years of existence, winning the Vezina again at age 37.
One of Hall's most memorable moments came in 1970 when Boston's Bobby Orr scored in overtime to win the Cup for the Bruins. This goal is among the most famous in hockey history due to the iconic flying celebration that followed. Hall played one more season with the Blues before retiring in 1971.
'His influence extended far beyond the crease,' said Blues chairman Tom Stillman. 'From the very beginning, he brought credibility, excellence, and heart to a new team and a new NHL market.'
Born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Hall was a seven-time first-team NHL All-Star with 407 wins and 84 shutouts in 906 regular-season games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975, and his number 1 jersey was retired by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1988. Hall was also named one of the top 100 players in the league's first 100 years.
'Glenn Hall was an innovator and one of the greatest and most influential goaltenders in the history of our sport and a cornerstone of our franchise,' said Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz. 'We are grateful for his extraordinary contributions to hockey and to our club, and we will honor his memory today and always.'
The Blackhawks paid tribute to Hall and former coach and general manager Bob Pulford with a moment of silence before their game against St. Louis on Wednesday. Pulford died on Monday. A highlight video of Hall was shown on the center-ice videoboard, and the lights were turned off for a moment of silence, with a spotlight on the No. 1 banner for Hall that hangs in the rafters at the United Center.
Martin Brodeur, a fellow Hall of Famer and the league's all-time leader in wins and games played, posted a photo of the last time he saw Hall, along with a remembrance. 'Glenn Hall was a legend, and I was a big fan of his,' Brodeur said. 'He set the standard for every goaltender who followed. His toughness and consistency defined what it meant to play.'
The impact of Glenn Hall's career will be felt for generations to come, and his legacy will continue to inspire hockey fans and players alike.
