Chris Osgood's Career notes and play styles

Junior scouting report:
"Exceptionally quick reflexes. Will challenge a shooter. Can make the "highlight film" snare with his glove. Very good movement across the crease. Bases his game on reflexes and speed. Though relatively small, he's proven he can take a work load. Needs to work on playing the angles."

Junior info:
  • Led the Medicine Hat Tigers to a second place finish in the WHL's East Division
  • Recorded 40 shutout periods during the 90-91 season, tying for third best in league
  • tallied 4 assists, tying for second best in league
  • Playoffs, he posted a 3.54 gaa, won 7 of 12 games.
  • Played in the 1991 WHL all star game, named to league's Second All star team
  • East Division Rookie of the year '89-90
  • Played for only two teams in the WHL Medicine Hat, and Seattle T-Birds then was drafted
  • Drafted by Detroit Red Wings, 3rd by Detroit, 54th Overall, June 22, 1991
  • WHL East Second All-Star Team, 1991

    Recent NHL small stats:
    • Finished the Dallas series with a 1.66 gaa, .938 % save percentage and 2 shutouts.
    • Last 15 games, had a 1.81 gaa and ,932% save percentage
    • He faced 530 shots in 18 playoff games, Vernon only faced 494 shots in 20 games last year

    Penalty shots
    Stopped Peter Zezel, Toronto Maple Leafs, March 4, 1994
    Stopped Dave Gagner, Dallas Stars, April 1, 1995
    Stopped Mike Hudson, Phoenix Coyotes, November 18, 1996
    Alexander Mogilny scored, Vancouver Canucks, December 1, 1997

    Honors:
    • NHL Rookie of the Month - February, 1994
    • NHLPA Player of the Day - January 7, 1996
    • Club record, Longest unbeaten streak, 21 games (19-0-2), January 10 thru March 27, 1996
    • Club record, Longest winning streak, 13 games, January 30 thru March 20, 1996
    • NHL West Second Team All-Star, 1996
    • NHLPA Player of the Day - May 19, 1996
    • William M. Jennings Trophy for team with fewest Goals Against, shared with Mike Vernon,
    • 1995-1996
    • Finalist, Vezina Trophy - 1996
    • NHLPA Player of the Day - October 22, 1996
    • NHL West Second Team All-Star, 1997 (did not play due to injury)
    • NHL Player of the Week - week ending December 28th, 1997
    • 2003-2004
    • Player of the Month Honors in March 04
    • Finished 9th in wins
    • 5th in voting for the 04 All star game
    • Beat his former team the wings 6-5 1st half
    • Finished 15th in GAA

      Previous rankings in the Great Goalie list:
    • 1993: unranked
    • 1994: 32nd
    • 1995: 22nd
    • 1996:18th
    • 1997: 8th
    • 1998:10th

      • Various quotes given by the media

      "Crashing Osgood's crease is easier than getting into his head"
      "Osgood's small frame belies a willingness to mix it up with bruisers like Rick Tocchet of Phoenix"

      Click to read the Great Goalie Scouting Report 1997-1998

      Profile & Scouting Report 1996-97 season
      Height: 5-10 Weight: 180 lbs. Born: November 26, 1972 in Peace River, Alberta Drafted: Selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the third round (54th pick overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry draft.

      Scouting Report

      1996-97 Season
      Sixth in NHL in goals-against average. Tied for third in NHL in shutouts. Finalist for 1996 Vezina Trophy. Led NHL in wins. Second in NHL in goals-against average. Tied for third in NHL in shutouts.

      The Physical Game Osgood is a small goalie, but by challenging shooters he makes himself look bigger in the net. He plays his angles well and has very quick feet. His reflexes are excellent for close shots, and he stays on his skates and doesn't flop. He has a superb glove hand and is tough to beat high. He controls his rebounds well and doesn't have to scramble for too many second or third shots. His lateral movement is very good. Osgood can handle the puck; in fact, he has scored a goal. He also uses his stick effectively to poke pucks off of attackers' sticks around the net.

      The Mental Game Osgood concentrates well and keeps his head in the game. He doesn't defeat himself mentally. He has been brought along slowly and allowed to grow into a position of responsibility.

      The Intangibles Osgood took a seat on the bench while Mike Vernon carried the Red Wings to the end of their Stanley Cup drought, but at 24, Osgood will get more chances to do the same thing and he, not the Conn Smythe Trophy-winning Vernon, will be the Wings' number one netminder this season.

      Projection Osgood has to pay strict attention to nutrition and conditioning because he doesn't have the big body to get him through a busy schedule and could easily wear down. He still figures to get plenty of work this season, as the Red Wings, having snapped their Cup drought, return to their long-term plan.
      SOURCE: HOCKEY SCOUTING REPORT