Mike Vernon

Michael Vernon (born February 24, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers.

First for the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 1979–80, and then the Calgary Wranglers of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

He appeared in 59 games in his first WHL season, 1980–81, posting a 33–17–1 record before leading the team to the WHL finals where the Wranglers lost the best-of-seven championship to the Victoria Cougars, four games to three.

Selected by the Flames in the third round, 56th overall, in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Vernon began his professional career in 1982 and ended it 20 years later, also in Calgary.

He attracted the attention of the Calgary Flames, who selected him with their third round pick, 56th overall, at the 1981 NHL Entry Draft.

Vernon returned to the Wranglers for the 1981–82 season where he posted a 22–14–3 record with three shutouts.

He was named a WHL all-star at goal, and was the recipient of the WHL Top Goaltender Award and named WHL most valuable player.

Though the Wranglers were eliminated in the playoffs, junior rules of the time allowed the league champion to add an extra goaltender on loan for the Memorial Cup tournament.

He was named both goaltender of the year and most valuable player in 1982 and 1983.

Vernon spent a third season with the Wranglers in 1982–83, however injuries during the season to Reggie Lemelin and Don Edwards forced the Flames to recall him to the NHL.

Vernon made his NHL debut on December 12, 1982, against the Detroit Red Wings.

A poor effort by the Flames resulted in Vernon surrendering six goals in the first two periods before being pulled in a 7–3 loss.

Vernon appeared in one additional game, also a loss, before returning to the WHL where he repeated as the WHL's top goaltender and most valuable player.

Vernon also played with the Canadian team at the 1982 World Junior Championship, winning two games in three appearances and helping Canada win the bronze medal.

Turning professional in 1982–83, Vernon spent most of the season with the CHL's Colorado Flames where he was named to the league's second all-star team after posting a 30–13–2 record in 46 games.

He was loaned to the Portland Winterhawks for the 1983 Memorial Cup and was named the top goaltender of the tournament in leading Portland to the championship.

Vernon represented Canada internationally on two occasions, winning a bronze medal at the 1983 World Junior Championship and silver at the 1991 World Championship.

Vernon began playing hockey at South Calgary Community Association outdoor rinks as a goaltender at the age of six.

A native of Calgary, Vernon played his junior hockey in his hometown.

Vernon accepted an invitation to join the Portland Winter Hawks for the 1983 tournament where the team finished third in the three team event(all teams had two wins and two losses).

Vernon made his professional debut following the tournament, appearing in one playoff game for the Central Hockey League's Oklahoma City Stars.

Vernon again joined the Winter Hawks, for the 1983 Memorial Cup, but not without controversy.

The WHL champion Lethbridge Broncos first requested he join their team for the tournament, but he was unwilling to play under the team's coach and refused.

The Broncos were upset by Vernon's refusal, calling it "garbage" that he was allowed to join the rival Winter Hawks, who were hosting the tournament, after turning them down.

Winning all three games he started, Vernon led Portland to the championship.

He was named recipient of the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the most valuable goaltender of the tournament while the Winter Hawks became the first American team to win the Memorial Cup.

He returned to the Flames in 1983-84 but had a loss so he returned to the CHL.

Considered at that point to be Calgary's goaltender of the future, he moved up to the Moncton Golden Flames of the American Hockey League (AHL) for 1984–85.

The season was a disappointment for Vernon as he struggled throughout the year.

He won only 10 of 41 starts and posted a goals against average (GAA) of 3.94.

Vernon began the 1985–86 season as the fourth goaltender on the Flames' depth chart behind Lemelin, Marc D'Amour and Rick Kosti.

He split the first half of the season between Moncton in the AHL and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the International Hockey League (IHL).

In the midst of what was ultimately a franchise record losing streak, wishing to rest Lemelin and facing a minor injury to backup Marc D'Amour, the Flames brought Vernon up to play an exhibition game against Soviet club Dynamo Moscow during the 1986 Super Series.

Vernon was outstanding in goal, leading the Flames to a 4–3 victory.

Following a 9–1 loss to the Hartford Whalers that was Calgary's 11th consecutive defeat, Vernon was given his first regular season start on January 9, 1986, against the Vancouver Canucks.

A winner of over 300 NHL games, he is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, with the Flames in 1989 and the Red Wings in 1997.

He appeared in five NHL All-Star Games, was named a second team All-Star in 1989, shared the William M. Jennings Trophy in 1996 with Chris Osgood, and was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Vernon was a standout goaltender in junior for the Calgary Wranglers of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

The Flames retired his number 30 in 2007 and he was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

Vernon has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023.