Steve Valiquette
2001-02 Bridgeport Sound tigers game worn koho blocker
What you are looking at right now is a circa 2001-02 game worn Koho goalie blocker that was used by Steve Valiquette while with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the AHL and possibly in pre-season action with the New York Islanders. It exhibits excellent game wear.
Born on August 20, 1977, in Etobicoke, Ontario, Valiquette was drafted 190th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 1995. The 6'6" netminder got his first taste of the pros with Dayton in the ECHL in 1996-97, though remained in juniors in the OHL for the majority of that season, and also into the next. Signed by the Islanders in 1998, Valiquette officially turned pro in 1998-99 and he turned some heads with his play as an ECHL rookie.
Near the end of the 1999-00 season, it happened. On March 9, 2000, Valiquette replaced Kevin Weekes in goal for the final period of action vs Phoenix. He stopped 4 of 5 shots that he faced as the Isles fell 5-0. His first start came a week later and he stopped 37 shots in a 4-2 victory over Atlanta. He remained in the minors for a few seasons thereafter, before ending up with Edmonton in 2003-04. Mostly spending time in the minors that year, he played 14 minutes with the Oilers before being traded to the Rangers in the deal that saw Jussi Markkanen return to Edmonton. Valiquette played two games for the Rangers that season as well. With the lockout in 2004-05, he and Jason Labarbera formed a deadly AHL duo as they shared the Best Goaltending Duo award, while Valiquette led the entire league with a 1.77GAA. After a season in Russia in 2005-06, he returned to North America and from 2006-07 to 2009-10, Valiquette played in a further 37 NHL games. Following two final seasons overseas, he officially retired from play in 2012.
Since retiring, he has most notably become an analyst for the New York Rangers.
In his NHL career, Steve Valiquette appeared in 46 regular season games, going 16-14-0-5 with 1 assist, 4 shutouts, a 2.74GAA, and a 0.905% save average. In 2 playoff games, he had a 1.000% save average.
Acquired from: Donated to museum by long-term patron
Dates of Game Use:
Unknown dates throughout the 2001-02 season
Photomatched: No
Born on August 20, 1977, in Etobicoke, Ontario, Valiquette was drafted 190th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 1995. The 6'6" netminder got his first taste of the pros with Dayton in the ECHL in 1996-97, though remained in juniors in the OHL for the majority of that season, and also into the next. Signed by the Islanders in 1998, Valiquette officially turned pro in 1998-99 and he turned some heads with his play as an ECHL rookie.
Near the end of the 1999-00 season, it happened. On March 9, 2000, Valiquette replaced Kevin Weekes in goal for the final period of action vs Phoenix. He stopped 4 of 5 shots that he faced as the Isles fell 5-0. His first start came a week later and he stopped 37 shots in a 4-2 victory over Atlanta. He remained in the minors for a few seasons thereafter, before ending up with Edmonton in 2003-04. Mostly spending time in the minors that year, he played 14 minutes with the Oilers before being traded to the Rangers in the deal that saw Jussi Markkanen return to Edmonton. Valiquette played two games for the Rangers that season as well. With the lockout in 2004-05, he and Jason Labarbera formed a deadly AHL duo as they shared the Best Goaltending Duo award, while Valiquette led the entire league with a 1.77GAA. After a season in Russia in 2005-06, he returned to North America and from 2006-07 to 2009-10, Valiquette played in a further 37 NHL games. Following two final seasons overseas, he officially retired from play in 2012.
Since retiring, he has most notably become an analyst for the New York Rangers.
In his NHL career, Steve Valiquette appeared in 46 regular season games, going 16-14-0-5 with 1 assist, 4 shutouts, a 2.74GAA, and a 0.905% save average. In 2 playoff games, he had a 1.000% save average.
Acquired from: Donated to museum by long-term patron
Dates of Game Use:
Unknown dates throughout the 2001-02 season
Photomatched: No