Hanging up his helmet
Hrudey retires, takes job with CBC
Posted: Thursday July 30, 1998 07:47 PM
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In two years with San Jose, Hrudy posted a 29-40-7 record Elsa Hasch/Allsport |
SAN JOSE, California (AP) -- After 15 years in the NHL, goaltender Kelly Hrudey is
trading in his skates for a microphone. Hrudey, who played the
last two seasons with the San
Jose Sharks after stints with the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings, retired
Thursday. He said he has reached a three-year deal with the Canadian
Broadcasting Corp. to provide commentary for hockey games. "I
knew that I had no interest in going anywhere else," Hrudey said. "I had no
interest in leading the life of a gypsy." Hrudey, a backup
last season to Mike
Vernon, had been pondering retirement for some time. His decision was
cemented when the Sharks signed free agent goalie Steve Shields
earlier this month. "I have no feelings of sadness," he said
in a conference call from his home in Canada. "I just cannot believe the
opportunity I've had." Hrudey, 37, signed with the Sharks as
a free agent in 1996 and compiled a 20-40-7 record with a 3.03
goals-against average in two years with the team. During his
tenure in San Jose, Hrudey was known not only for his leadership in goal,
but for his character off the ice. Rookie Patrick Marleau
lived in the guest house at Hrudey's San Francisco Bay area home.
"Bottom line, he's a pro," Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi said.
Drafted by the Islanders in 1980, Hrudey came into the NHL in
the 1983-84 season and spent six years in New York. He led the team to the
Patrick Division final against Philadelphia in 1987. In the
semifinal playoff game that year, Hrudey stopped 73 of 75 shots in a 3-2
quadruple-overtime victory against the Washington Capitals.
He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings late in the 1988-89 season,
and helped the team to the Stanley Cup finals in 1993. He was chosen team
MVP for the 1991-92 and 1994-95 seasons. Hrudey said he was
grateful to play for the Kings during those years, both with the popularity
of the team in Los Angeles and the presence of Wayne Gretzky.
"I was there to ride the boat, basically," he said. "I couldn't
believe how fortunate I was to be a part of it." He still
ranks second among Kings goalies with 145 career victories and 389 games
played. Hrudey played 677 games with a 271-265-88 record, 16
shutouts and a 3.43 GAA. His 271 victories put him 24th on the NHL's career
list. Hrudey played in 85 playoff games, with a 36-46 record.
Over the course of last season, Hrudey said he could feel he
was nearing retirement. The wear and tear of the game was getting to him.
"The game didn't come as easy or naturally as it once did," he
said.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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