Barrasso retiring

[Shell]

Barrasso retires as a Penguin
TSN.ca Staff
6/18/2003

Goaltender Tom Barrasso signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, and then retired.

Barrasso, 38, played in 777 NHL games with Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Carolina, Toronto and St. Louis, posting a record of 369-277-86, a 3.24 goals against average and 38 shutouts.

“It is a real honor for our organization to have a player of such stature such as Tom Barrasso want to retire as a Pittsburgh Penguin,” said General Manager Craig Patrick.

"Tom was an integral part of our success and our two Stanley Cup championships," said Penguins owner Mario Lemieux, the captain of those championship teams. "He was a tremendous goaltender and a true professional, and we are delighted that he is retiring as a Penguin."

In 12 seasons with the Penguins, Barrasso appeared in 460 career games, posting a 226-153-53 record with a 3.27 goals against average and 22 shutouts. He currently holds club records for games, minutes played, wins, saves and shutouts. Barrasso also holds the Penguins’ single season record for wins (43 in 1992-93), shutouts (7 in 1997-98) and goals against average (2.07 in 1997-98).

Barrasso was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres fifth overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Sabres in the 1983-84 season and posted a 26-12-3 record and a 2.84 goals against average. He won the Calder Trophy in 1984 as the league’s top rookie and won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender. Barrasso was also named a first team NHL All-Star and was an NHL All-Rookie selection in 1984.

Barrasso played parts of six seasons with Buffalo before being acquired by the Penguins on November 12, 1988 with Buffalo’s third round choice in the 1990 Entry Draft in exchange for Doug Bodger and Darrin Shannon. Barrasso finished the 1988-89 season with the Penguins, appearing in 44 games and posting an 18-15-7 record with a 4.04 goals against average.

Barrasso won his first Stanley Cup Championship with the Penguins in 1991. He finished the 1990-91 regular season with a 27-16-3 record and a 3.59 goals against average. During the 1991 playoffs, Barrasso played in 20 games, compiling a 12-7 record and a league leading 2.60 goals against average. Barrasso recorded his first post-season shutout in game six of the Stanley Cup Finals, making 39 saves in the Penguins’ 8-0 Stanley Cup clinching win.

Barrasso won his second Stanley Cup Championship with the Penguins in 1992. He finished the 1991-92 regular season with a 25-22-9 record and a 3.53 goals against average. During the 1992 playoffs, Barrasso played in all 21 games, compiling a 16-5 record and a 2.82 goals against average.

Barrasso led the league in wins during the 1992-93 season, going 43-14-5 with a 3.01 goals against average and four shutouts.

On October 19, 1997, Barrasso became the first American born goaltender and the 14th NHL goaltender to record 300 wins in a 4-1 Penguins’ win at Florida.

Barrasso was traded by the Penguins to Ottawa on March 14, 2000 in exchange for Ron Tugnutt and Janne Laukkanen. He appeared in seven regular season games with the Senators, going 3-4-0 with a 3.16 goals against average.

Barrasso did not play during the 2000-01 season before joining the Carolina Hurricanes for the 2001-02 season. He appeared in 34 games with Carolina, posting a 13-12-5 record and a 2.61 goals against average.

Barrasso won a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City as a member of Team USA, appearing in one game.

Barrasso was traded from Carolina to Toronto on March 15, 2002 and appeared in four games with the Maple Leafs, going 2-2-0 with a 2.74 goals against average.

In six games this season with St. Louis, Barrasso went 1-4-0 with a 3.28 goals against average and one shutout.

The Boston, Massachusetts native ranks 12th all-time in NHL history with 369 wins, 14th with 777 games and is tied for 28th with 38 shutouts.

[nccanes]

Glad this was worked out. I'm happy for him - and hope his family and he are doing well. :D

[nccanes]

I ran across this photo of Barrasso from his season with the Canes. Is it just me, or do his pads look really small? Guess he's "old school". ;)

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/sports/barrasso_tom0315.jpg

Here is Snow in comparison:

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/nhl/2001/1210/photo/a_snow_i.jpg

[nccanes]

In looking for some Barrasso stuff, I stumbled on this George H. Bush speech from 1991 when the Pens were honored at the White House. Of course, I've never been to a Rose Garden ceremony, but it seems strange that the POTUS would try to pull off knowing so much about a hockey team he's probably never followed. Anyway, a blast from the past from the George H. Bush Library:

Remarks Congratulating the National Hockey League Champion Pittsburgh Penguins
June 24, 1991
Well, please be seated. And standing next to me is a Pennsylvanian of note, our Attorney General. And he and I are very excited and somewhat -- I am, at least -- apologetic for keeping this group of athletes waiting. I don't want to get them up in arms like I've seen them from time to time out on the ice. [Laughter] But it's not exactly hockey weather, either; I'll admit that. But let me salute Pennsylvania's two Senators that are with us today, Senator Specter, Senator Wofford; of course, Rick Santorum, your Congressman from out there; and Bob Walker, another great Pennsylvanian. So, welcome all.

I'm delighted that we're here to honor the Penguins, the National Hockey League's champions that brought such excitement to this country. This is a special moment, I'm sure, for the city of Pittsburgh, as it is for all of us here in the Rose Garden. The Penguins have brought home the city's first-ever Stanley Cup -- brought the Cup back to the U.S. for the first time since 1983. Somehow, I have the feeling that's even -- special even if you're a Rose Garden veteran like Eddie DeBartolo over here, who comes regularly with his football team. [Laughter] But four Super Bowls with the 49ers, and now he's starting down this Stanley Cup collection road. We welcome you, sir.

The Penguins take their place alongside the Pirates and the Steelers in the hearts of Pittsburghers. And in the ``City of Champions,'' a new ice age has begun.

Back when the season started, I don't mean to downgrade you guys, but I don't think anyone of all our sports sages and scribes were predicting that you'd end up right here. But sure enough -- well, one of the reasons last year, some very good games, but you finished fifth -- watched the playoffs on TV. The Penguins began this year without their mainstay, Mario Lemieux, and he was then out -- as we all know who follow this sport -- with a serious back injury. Without his top scorer, Coach Johnson built a strategy around the defense. Mark Recchi and Kevin Stevens stepped right in to supply the scoring, and goalie Tom Barrasso took his motto from Harry Truman: ``The puck stops here.'' [Laughter]

And, yes, as we all know, Mario made it back. Just so he wouldn't feel left out, his teammates let him skate away with the Stanley Cup MVP -- you talk about a comeback.

But your success took team effort. A large share of the credit does go to Craig Patrick, the general manager who took a gamble in March when the Penguins were 12 points out of first place. Craig engineered a six-player trade that brought Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelson, Grant Jennings to the team. And I think, most sports observers would concede it was in there that things started turning around. The Penguins went 9, 3, and 2 in their last 14 games -- came from behind and clinched the title.

You beat the injuries. You beat the odds. And, clearly, you beat your opponents all the way to the Stanley Cup.

So, your hard work, your drive, your determination made this a season to remember. But while you're here, let me just commend you for another special achievement off the ice -- for a team spirit that just doesn't win games, but saves lives.

I mentioned Tom Barrasso a moment ago. Two years ago, Tom and his wife Megan got the news that every parent dreads -- they learned their daughter was stricken with cancer. And this brave little girl is only 4, and already she's pulled through surgery and chemo and a bone marrow transplant. And Ashley, I'm just so pleased you could come here to the Rose Garden today. She's sweet. You play your cards right and I'll invite you in to say hello to Millie, our dog, too. [Laughter]

Now, the Barrassos have overcome their pain to reach out to other children battling illness. They've begun a foundation to combat childhood cancer. Every member of the Penguins team -- the family, if you will -- has joined in this effort.

I can tell you nothing hits harder than to see a kid up against this kind of a problem. And so I would say to you, you are, in addition to being fantastic skaters -- tough hockey players -- you are what we like to refer to as Points of Light, each of you in your own way, and we're very grateful for the example that sets for our country.

So, you're champions on the ice and off the ice. And welcome to all of you. We're just delighted you're here on this beautiful day.

Thanks for coming.

Note: The President spoke at 11:42 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White House. In his opening remarks, he referred to Attorney General Dick Thornburgh; Senators Arlen Specter and Harris Wofford; Representatives Richard John Santorum and Robert S. Walker; Edward DeBartolo, owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Francisco 49ers football team; Bob Johnson and Craig Patrick, Penguins coach and general manager; team members Mario Lemieux, Mark Recchi, Kevin Stevens, Tom Barrasso, Ron Francis, Uif Samuelson, and Grant Jennings; and Mr. Barrasso's wife, Megan, and daughter, Ashley.

[Jeff O Rocks]

That is good....does anyone know how he daughter is doing?? I hope all is well and that he has plenty of time to spend with her... and yes Eileen, his pads look super small...maybe Jiggy stole all the padding that he was supposed to have!! :D ;)

[MCAngel]

:angel:

[Jeff O Rocks]

Yep, he's old school, I guess. I saw the 1991 game on ESPN classic when they won the 1st Stanley Cup and thought the same thing. Times change, I guess. I was wondering when he was going to retire since I heard about him signing with the Pens to do just that. On my birthday...that was cool! :D
He got known to have a sort of prickly nature with the press, but he's really a good guy. The last I heard, his daughter was doing ok. She and Mario Lemieux ran with the Olympic torch back in 2002 when it passed through Pittsburgh. They are both cancer survivors, so it was a great moment. :D

:angel:

That is great about his daughter!! :) The old equipment looks really weird..I watch a lot of ESPN Classic, and it is so weird to see the players without helmets and the goalie only wearing a "Jason" hockey mask!! In the really "old" days, the goalies didn't wear anything either......talk about concussion city!!! :beatup:

[Guyute]

Good for Tommy.... enjoy retirement!

[crazy4canes]

Good for him! Hope he enjoys retirement. :spin:

[Stormbringer]

What everyone else has said...wishing Tommy B the best in retirement. :)