While many focus on seemingly unbreakable records in sports, Martin Brodeur`s incredible achievement of 691 career wins as an NHL goalie deserves greater recognition. This is the highest number of wins ever recorded by a goalie in NHL history.
Even if a player could match Brodeur`s remarkable career length and consistency, modern NHL strategies of resting goalies and limiting their game starts make it highly improbable for any current goaltender to accumulate enough wins to seriously challenge Brodeur`s record.
Just how significant is the lead Brodeur holds over today`s active players? And who else ranks among the top 10 in all-time wins? Let`s delve into the list of goalies who have secured the most victories in the history of the National Hockey League.
10. Tony Esposito – 423 Wins
Tony Esposito`s career spanned from 1967 to 1984, playing for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Blackhawks. A three-time recipient of the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the goalie with the fewest goals allowed (prior to 1981-82 season rules), Esposito once achieved a modern NHL record of 15 shutouts in a single season in 1970 (since 1942). He was instrumental in Montreal`s Stanley Cup victory in 1969 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
9. Jacques Plante – 437 Wins
Jacques Plante played intermittently between 1947 and 1975, representing teams such as the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Edmonton Oilers. He contributed to six Stanley Cup championships for the Canadiens, including an impressive five consecutive wins. Plante was honored with the Hart Trophy as the league`s MVP in 1962 and holds a record of seven Vezina Trophies. Notably, Plante revolutionized goaltending by inventing and popularizing the goalie mask. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.
8. Terry Sawchuk – 445 Wins
Terry Sawchuk, an 11-time All-Star, played from 1949 to 1970 and secured four Stanley Cups throughout his career. A four-time Vezina Trophy winner, he was the first goalie to reach 100 career regular-season shutouts. To this day, Sawchuk ranks second in NHL history with 103 shutouts, only surpassed by Martin Brodeur (125). The Detroit Red Wings retired Sawchuk`s jersey number 1 in 1994, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971.
7. Curtis Joseph – 454 Wins
Despite being undrafted, Curtis `Cujo` Joseph rose to fame as a star goalie, playing for teams like the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, and Calgary Flames. Joseph distinguished himself by achieving a 30-win season with five different teams, a first in NHL history. A three-time All-Star, Joseph, while never reaching the Stanley Cup Final, enjoyed a remarkable career.
6. Henrik Lundqvist – 459 Wins
Henrik Lundqvist dedicated his entire 20-year NHL career to the New York Rangers. He stands alone as the only NHL goalie to begin his career with seven consecutive 30-win seasons. Known for his consistency, Lundqvist achieved at least 20 wins in each of his first 11 seasons. In 2012, he received the Vezina Trophy as the NHL`s best goaltender and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last year.
5. Ed Belfour – 484 Wins
Another undrafted talent, Ed Belfour played for 19 seasons with teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. His accolades include a Stanley Cup win in 1999, Vezina Trophies in 1991 and 1993, and the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award in 2000 for the best save percentage. A six-time All-Star, Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.
4. Roberto Luongo – 489 Wins
Over his 19-year NHL career, Roberto Luongo played for the New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, and Vancouver Canucks. Drafted as the No. 4 overall pick in 1997, he became a six-time All-Star. In 2007, he was a Hart Trophy finalist (MVP). Among NHL goalies, Luongo ranks second in games played (1,044) and saves made (28,409), both after Martin Brodeur. Luongo was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022.
3. Patrick Roy – 551 Wins
Patrick Roy, the No. 51 pick in the 1984 NHL draft, played for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. Upon his retirement in 2003, he was the all-time wins leader, later surpassed by the top two on this list. Roy still holds the record for playoff wins with 151. His achievements include four Stanley Cups, three Vezina Trophies, and three Conn Smythe Trophies (playoff MVP). Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006, Roy is currently the head coach of the New York Islanders.
2. Marc-Andre Fleury – 575 Wins
Unlike the other goalies here, Marc-Andre Fleury is currently active with the Minnesota Wild, planning to retire at the end of the 2024-25 season. He is the only active goalie within the top 15 career wins. Fleury`s career includes stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Chicago Blackhawks. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2003, Fleury has lived up to expectations, earning five All-Star selections, three Stanley Cups, and a Vezina Trophy in 2021.
1. Martin Brodeur – 691 Wins
Martin Brodeur`s record of 691 wins is not his only NHL record; he also leads in shutouts (125) and games played (1,266). Throughout his 22-year NHL career, this nine-time All-Star secured three Stanley Cup championships (1995, 2000, and 2003) and four Vezina Trophies (2003, 2004, 2007, and 2008). Brodeur was a Hart Trophy nominee three times and achieved 12 consecutive seasons with at least 30 wins, including eight seasons with 40+ wins. He was named to the NHL`s 100 Greatest Players list and inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
