The Goaltending Consultant Group Advisory Board
The Goaltending Consultant Group currently consists of three members, John Vanbiesbrouck, Kelly Hrudey and Lloyd Friedland. John and Kelly both had illustrious careers in the NHL and Lloyd is a veteran player agent who has helped numerous clients have successful careers during and following their playing days. All three members will play key roles in advising the GCG on how best to serve clients and provide the resources necessary for goalies to achieve their potential.
Lloyd Friedland, GCG Advisory Board
Lloyd has had a long-term relationship with several of the GCG consultants and will bring a wealth of experience to the Goaltending Consultant Group. A respected player agent, Lloyd knows first hand about the importance of decision making for young athletes and will be a valuable resource to GCG consultants. As an agent, Lloyd represented fellow advisory board members John Vanbiesbrouck and Kelly Hrudey as well as Darren Pang. He also represents clients in the entertainment field and played a major role in establishing post hockey careers for his clients as John, Kelly and Darren are all members of broadcast teams covering the NHL. Currently practicing law in New York, Lloyd will bring a unique perspective to the group and his influence will be key to providing guidance to GCG clients.
John Vanbiesbrouck, GCG Advisory Board
"The Beezer" has been active with several of the GCG consultants over the past six years and will play a key role advising the group in providing the best available resources to clients. John played for the NY Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils. He finished his career with a record of 374 wins against 346 losses and 119 ties, and is considered to be one of the top American goaltenders in history. He won the Vezina Trophy in 1986, was selected to the NHL All-Star Team in 1986,1994, 1996 and 1997 and was the back-up goaltender for the United States in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
In Florida John played a key role keeping the team in the playoff hunt until the end of the 1993-1994 season. He recorded 33 victories and his performance earned him the runner-up to the Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy. In 1996 he backstopped the Panthers to the first, and only, Stanley Cup Finals appearance in franchise history. In 1997 John recorded his 300th career victory. John is currently an analyst for the NHL on Versus as well as hockey broadcasts on HD Net.
John holds Florida Panthers all-time record for most games played by a goaltender (268). Holds Florida Panthers all-time record for second most wins by a goaltender (106). Holds all time record for most wins as an American born goaltender (374). Became the fifteenth, and only the second American, goaltender in NHL history to record 300 career wins when he defeated the NY Islanders Islander 6-2, on 12/27/97.
Kelly Hrudey, GCG Advisory Board
Kelly Hrudey was instrumental in developing new techniques for goaltenders as a player and will be a valuable assett to the GCG consultants serving as part as a member of the GCG Advisory board. During his NHL career Hrudey played for the New York Islanders (1983-1989), Los Angeles Kings (1989-1996), and San Jose Sharks (1996-1998). He played junior hockey for three years with the WHL Medicine Hat Tigers where he was drafted in the second round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders. Kelley first played for the Indianapolis Checkers, New York's minor league affiliate, and moved to the main club in the 1984-85 season.
Kelly was the Islanders' goaltender in 1987 when they defeated the Washington Capitals in the longest game in club history, a four-overtime Game 7 thriller known as the "Easter Epic", which was won on a goal by Pat Lafontaine after 68:47 of overtime. He made 73 saves in a 3-2 Islander victory that ended just before 2am on Easter morning. In 1989, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings and would play there for eight seasons. His most notable achievement was playing in the 1993 Stanley Cup finals, but the team lost to Patrick Roy's Montreal Canadiens. In 1996, he signed with the San Jose Sharks and played his last two seasons there before retiring in 1998. After retirement he joined the Hockey Night in Canada team as an analyst, hosting the "Behind the Mask" segment. Nicknamed 'Hollywood' while playing in LA, Hrudey was also known for wearing a blue bandana underneath his mask throughout his career.
