Earliest NHL Goalie Pull in Hockey History

The earliest instance of an NHL team pulling their goaltender during a game was a notable incident that took place in the 1930s. Although the exact game and team are not specified, this early act of strategy has since gained recognition for its historical significance and its complexity within hockey tactics.

Rarely Employed Strategy

While modern hockey teams typically start pulling their goaltenders in the final minutes when they are trailing, very few teams resort to this tactic early in a game. The most notable and well-documented early goalie pull in NHL history occurred on November 28, 1985, during a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins. With 5:34 remaining in the game and trailing 5-2, the New Jersey Devils pulled their goaltender Alain Chevrier in a desperate attempt to mount a comeback.

An Early 1959 Precedent

A decade earlier, in an even more unusual period of history, the Boston Bruins faced the Montreal Canadiens on November 7, 1959. Bruins coach Milt Schmidt pulled goalie Don Simmons during the third period when the Bruins were trailing 3-0. This move, though early, was part of an ongoing strategy to offset the deficit before the game concluded. The Bruins, however, could not recover and lost the game 3-1.

A Daredevil Move: 1970 Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens provided another unique example of an early goalie pull on April 5th, 1970, when they faced the Blackhawks. This decision came under particularly unusual circumstances. The Canadiens were facing a critical situation as the final games of the 1969–70 NHL season approached. To gain a playoff berth, they needed to win or at least tie the game. However, they fell behind early, trailing 5-2 in the third period.

Claude Ruel, the Canadiens’ head coach at the time, made a bold decision. With the tiebreaker rules of the day ultimately favoring his team, Ruel decided to pull goaltender Rogie Vachon below the nine-minute mark of the third period. His rationale was to aim for a 3-goal lead, sufficiently putting the Canadiens ahead in the season goal tally tiebreakers. This strategy involved playing with an extra attacker for an extended period.

However, the strategy backfired as the Blackhawks capitalized on the opportunity. They went on to score five empty-net goals, resulting in a 10-2 victory. This loss ended the Canadiens' playoff hopes, marking their first missed playoffs since 1948. The NHL made some rule changes the subsequent season, including a revised playoff tiebreaker system.

Curiously, the team's subsequent coach, Al MacNeil, turned the team's fortunes around, leading the team to an unexpected Stanley Cup victory in the following season.

Conclusion and Future Implications

The early goalie pulls discussed here showcase the tactical complexity and risk involved in these moves. Despite their historical significance, such strategies are still relatively rare. Teams typically opt for this tactic only when facing dire circumstances, as illustrated by the Montreal Canadiens' bold move in 1970.

Following these examples, it's clear that NHL teams will continue to evaluate their strategies based on the unique dynamics of each game and season. The early goalie pulls in hockey history provide valuable lessons in adaptability and the strategic importance of every moment on the ice.