Grant Fuhr (born September 28, 1962) is a Canadian goalkeeper who played a lengthy career in NHL in several different franchises. He is five-time Stanley Cup winner and has played six times in NHL All-Star game. He is especially well-known for his participation in the heyday of Edmonton Oilers dynasty in the 1980’s. He has been a goaltending coach after finishing his professional playing career.

Early career

Fuhr started his career in WHL junior league, where he played two excellent seasons between years 1979 and 1981. In 1981, he was drafted by Edmonton Oilers and joined the first team instantly. Fuhr was good enough to skip the minor leagues and play with the big boys. He played post-season hockey already after his first season with the Oilers. That was the case also next year – however, Fuhr had also a ten-game spell in AHL team Moncton Alpines.

For season 1983-84, the Oilers dynasty was ready for their first Stanley Cup. By that time, Fuhr was already a first-choice goalkeeper of the team. During the 1984-85 playoffs – which ended to the second Stanley Cup won by the Oilers – Fuhr recorded astounding fifteen play-off match victories. He was at his best in the play-offs, which proved to be the case also in 1986-87 season, ending to the third Stanley Cup. It seemed that Fuhr was able to sustain the pressure better than the most of his opponents.

The Oilers won two more Stanley Cups with Fuhr – the last one without Wayne Gretzky, who was traded to Los Angeles Kings in 1988. Fuhr’s last season 1990-91 with the Oilers was marred by 59-game suspension, which was placed because of Fuhr’s drug use. After this season, Fuhr was traded to Toronto Maple Leafs in a big deal that included seven players.

Later career

Fuhr played in Toronto for one and a half seasons, with limited or moderate success. In February 1993, Fuhr was traded to Buffalo Sabres, where he backed up the legendary Dominik Hasek, with whom Fuhr won William M. Jennings Trophy. In 1994-95, Fuhr joined Los Angeles Kings to team up with Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri. Fuhr played only fourteen games for the Kings and after that, he joined St. Louis Blues as a free agent.

In Blues, Fuhr was undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, playing unbelievable 79 games during his first season in 1995-96. Once again, he was in the top of his game. After four seasons with the Blues, Fuhr played his final professional season with Calgary Flames in 1999-2000.

International career

Fuhr has won Canada Cup two times (1984 and 1987) with the Canadian national team. In 1987 Canada Cup, Fuhr was selected into All-Star team. Moreover, he has one World Championships silver medal from year 1989 games. He played total of sixteen games in the national team.

Other interesting stuff

After his retirement from the game, Fuhr worked as goaltending coach in both Calgary Flames and Phoenix Coyotes. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003. The very same year, Edmonton Oilers retired his #31 jersey. Fuhr won the Vezina Trophy in 1988. Fuhr holds a record for a goalkeeper with most assists and points in regular seasons and play-offs – 61 points. He is an absolute legend in the game and one of the greatest goalkeepers all time.