Chris Osgood

Chris Osgood grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he spent his early years competing for roster spots against two other goalies who would go on to professional careers: Blaine Lacher, who played in Boston, and Neil Little, who won an AHL championship with the Philadelphia Phantoms and appeared in a handful of games with the Flyers. That the three of them emerged from the same town is something Osgood himself has called "kind of incredible."

Born in Peace River, Alberta on November 26, 1972, Osgood was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the third round, 10th pick, of the 1991 NHL Draft. He went on to play 744 regular season games, recording 401 wins, 216 losses, 29 overtime losses, a 2.49 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and 50 shutouts. He won three Stanley Cup championships with Detroit — serving as a backup in 1997 and as the starter in 1998 and 2008 — and appeared in five Stanley Cup Finals overall, all with the Red Wings.

Before he reached that level, Osgood credits then-Red Wings scout Ken Holland — himself a former goaltender — with providing early guidance. "It was good that I had him. He was a mentor away from the ice for me," Osgood said How Hasek and Vernon Taught Me to Relax. Holland, he explained, kept a quiet eye on what young goalies in a small town were doing and steered him back when needed. "Whenever I was veering off the tracks, he'd get me back on."

In Detroit, Osgood played under Scotty Bowman, and the lessons were precise. Bowman pushed Osgood to maintain focus even in games that weren't close, arguing that habits built in January would matter in the playoffs. "He taught me you have to pay attention to detail even in the games when it's 5-1 in January," Osgood recalled, "because in the playoffs, when it matters most, you're going to have trained yourself mentally and physically to be ready for those situations" How Hasek and Vernon Taught Me to Relax.

The goaltenders Osgood shared a crease with over his career form a long list — Tim Cheveldae, Bob Essensa, Vincent Riendeau, Mike Vernon, Dominik Hasek, and eventually Jimmy Howard — and Osgood has spoken about what he absorbed from each of them. He roomed with Vernon during their time together in Detroit and watched how Vernon's approach to preparation never wavered. "He stayed even keel the whole time. He never changed his demeanor, ever," Osgood said. "He just worried about what he was doing and he just played" How Hasek and Vernon Taught Me to Relax.

With Hasek, the lesson was about relaxation before competition. Osgood described Hasek as so unassuming before games that "you wouldn't even know he's playing until he goes on the ice." Between the dressing room and warmups, Hasek would talk about anything but hockey — football, soccer, plans for the following week. Then, Osgood said, "he'd stand up, hit his pads and go and play unbelievable." Osgood's interpretation was that Hasek was deliberately clearing his mind so he had full mental capacity when it counted How Hasek and Vernon Taught Me to Relax.

One episode from their time together has stayed with Osgood. After a shootout loss, Hasek was unsatisfied. At the end of the next practice, he dumped what Osgood estimated at 80 or more pucks at center ice, and the two of them faced breakaways until they had stopped every one. A stopped puck went to the corner; a goal sent the puck back to center. "It was real fortunate for me I got a chance to play with him. He made me better," Osgood said How Hasek and Vernon Taught Me to Relax.

Osgood also rebuilt his game during the 2005–06 lockout, a period he credits with extending his career. He is currently a studio analyst and part-time color commentator for FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. InGoal Magazine has covered Chris Osgood in one InGoal article.