By Bryan Thiel, Senior NHL Writer for The Puck Drop
In what has become an all too common practice in today's sporting world, Dominik Hasek is preparing to retire—for the second time—from the NHL on Monday.
I say good riddance.
Now there's a lot to be said for dominance—hence Hasek's nickname of "The Dominator". Just a look at the list of awards he's won over his career will tell you that. Also the fact that he's won 30 or more games in a season seven times in his NHL career is nothing you can dispute.
Like Sidney Crosby though, I've never been a fan of Dominik Hasek—nor will I ever be.
First of all, he ruined the career of Curtis Joseph and I will thoroughly stand by this point just like I believe that Wayne Gretzky is a dirty cheater because of what he did to Doug Gilmour in 1993.
Back in 2002, Joseph was named to the Canadian Olympic team. After a particularly poor showing in the opening game against Sweden, he was benched in favor of Martin Brodeur. Canada then went on to win its first Olympic medal in men's hockey in just over 50 years.
It was said that, because of the benching, the relationship between Canada's head coach and head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs (see, they've always been troubled) Pat Quinn and Joseph soured.
CuJo was able to carry the Leafs to the Conference Finals after returning from a broken hand, but was forced to watch as the Hasek-led Red Wings exerted their authority over Arturs Irbe (pausing for laughter...), Kevin Weekes, and the Carolina Hurricanes.
After that title, Hasek had attained what he came to Hockey Town for, and retired. The door for the starting goaltender's position for the defending Stanley Cup champions was open, and Joseph jumped at the opportunity, hopping across the boarder (and opening the door for Ed "Bad Back" Belfour) and into the waiting arms of the Wings.
Hasek gave it a year, and a monster upset at the hands of Anaheim in next years' playoffs, and then decided that he wanted to come back to the NHL.
From there on the goalie situation in Detroit was comical to say the least as they tried to balance three net minders.
The second reason that I can never respect Hasek (Leave it to a Leafs' fan to bring up a first reason like that) is his style.
Don't get me wrong, it's innovative and yes it did change the way that some goalies change their position, but if all you need to do is lay on your back to stop pucks, then why not flip over a turtle and stick it in front of your net? It's not like that's going anywhere either.
Sidenote: Admit it, you thought I was going to make a "Paris Hilton is on her back soooo much" joke. Well I'm better than that. Besides, she's barely been in the news recently, so that's no fun. Although maybe she could play defense in the NHL because she seems to go to her knees pretty readily...
I can appreciate a goalie who spends a lot of time working to cut down the angles, and working on technique. However it seems to me that Hasek could just skip practice and show up for games and still play the same way and succeed.
But to give the man credit where credit is due, he has the best thrown stick to uncalled penalty shot ratio in the history of the NHL.
Despite all of his despicable tactics however, he still stacks up as one of the best statistical goalies to ever play the game.
Along with his two Stanley Cups, Hasek was able to tally 389 career wins in the NHL, ranking him 10th on the all-time list. He's in a tie for sixth in career shutouts with 81 and 11th in goals against average with a 2.20 mark. He also ranks in the top 10 in playoff wins and shutouts.
Hasek is also one of three goalies to ever win the Vezina trophy six times, joining Jacques Plante (who won it seven times) and Bill Durnan (a six-time winner), and the only goalie to ever win the Hart trophy in consecutive years.
To prove his unorthodox style wasn't just confounding to NHL players though, Hasek was also named the Czech Republic Extraleague goaltender of the year five times, player of the year twice, and a first-team All Star three times from 1985-1990.
Hasek was also placed at number five in Without Fear: Hockey's Fifty Greatest Goaltenders, a book by Bob Duff and Kevin Allen with input from Johnny Bower, and he's got an Olympic Gold Medal.
The more you look at it, I guess he earned his moniker.
As my friend Trevor says, "He did what a goalie is supposed to do, stop the puck—and he was one of the best at it. Give the man some credit."
So today, I'll put my feelings aside (mostly because after looking at what he's done over his career, I feel really stupid for not liking him because of his style) and congratulate him on a shining career.
I may not have liked you Mr. Hasek, but damn were you good.
To all the parents out there, I'll save you some time. Here's the email address: bryanthiel74@hotmail.com. Looking forward to your hate mail.
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