More Ozzie Information

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More Interesting Ozzie Information

More Information, Pranks, Quirks, Quotes, and Superstitions

Ozzie's Aboriginal Love sign:
Deer (November 22-December 21)
Deer are very emotional. While they are warm and loving when together, they keep they're feelings under lock and key. although they don't speak often, they communicate with thought and emotions.

PRANKS:
Chris and Marty (Lapointe) once pasted a photo of Kris Draper's head onto various body types found in magazines, such as a couch potato, a hard body, and some others, and hung them up all over the locker room.
He wrote an "H" on a piece of tape and taped it to the back of Bob Rouse's jersey, over the "R", so it said "House" he actually skated a shift with it too!
He tied Dave Lewis' shoe laces to a chair at the bench, so when he went to congratulate Vernie after the game, the chair came with him!
He wrote on Pushor's tennis shoes "Canes Forever" ( the team Pushor played for in the juniors) and "Lawyers Rule" whatever that means... :o)
OTHER INFO:
He was best man @ Kris Draper's Wedding
When he was 11, his father mortgaged their house to buy him goalie equipment
He always hated school
When he was thirteen, his mother dared him to attend areobics class and he barely made it through.
When he was little, he told a TV audience that his dad drove a train through the mountains. (His dad was a teacher.)
He used to be a sega master.(And probably still is)
The big city used to scare him, so he bought a car, and drove aimlessly through the city, and the countryside. He diliberately got himself lost. He drove through rough neighbourhoods, warehouse districts, and ship yards. And then he found his way back to the family he was staying with, and his fear of the city was over.
He supposedly has a tattoo.
When he was little, he went to an Andy Moog Goalie School and he got an autographed hat. He wore it all the time. Even to bed!
He scored a goal against Hartford 03/06/96 (my birthday is 3/6/85)
He has a Dalmation Named Roscoe
He once "treated" his teammates by dressing up as Baywatch beach "hottie" David Hasselhoff for a Red Wings Halloween Party. I bet he was much hotter than David!!!
Ever want to know why Ozzie has such a boring helmet? Well, here is the true story I wrote about it.
Many have asked Chris the reason for him wearing his old plain, blue, undecorated helmet, and why he doesn't switch to a newer, more stylish, safer helmet, like most other goaltenders.
He simply tells them that he has always worn his helmet, it is more comfortable, and he can see much better in it, as opposed to the new style.
He said he has tried other helmets, but he likes his best. He also added that he just might get a new one in the future, but the design that is to go on it is still undecided.
Most goaltenders get theirs painted as a reflection of thier attitude, or personality, In my opinion, the helmet Ozzie has already matches his mild-mannered (usually), quiet persona just fine, although he might want to consider something like a dragon to put on his helmet, for his "on-ice" additude. ;-) Just a thought...

When Ozzie got traded, he didn't want to let go of his red helmet, and the only place he could find paint to match the Isles colors, was a Mercedes dealer in New York!
Superstitions
Tapping each goalpost 3 or 4 times after every whistle
Steps over the lines, not on them.
He touches every part of his equipment with a puck before each game.

OTHER GOALTENDER RELATED INFO:
The first goaltender to wear a mask was Clint Benedict. Most people think it was Jacques Plante, but that's not entirely true. Father of the face mask, clint Benedict commissioned a leather mask from a Boston firm, when Howie Morenz broke his nose on a shot during a game in 1929. The injury took six weeks to heal sufficiently to allow his return. Benedict only kept the mask a few days, because of a rigged nosepiece that obscured his vision on low shots. The mask would not return to the NHL until Jacues Plante insisted on wearing it 30 years later in 1959.
Cute Quotes:
Dreams are almost always taller than we are, that is why we have to reach to make them come true.
Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it!
There are going to be things that happen during the course of a season, both good and bad. You have to focus on the present, I don't dwell on the losses, and I don't dwell on the wins, I just look at the big picture.
More to come soon!

Here's a little story that my friend Holly found at a Medicine Hat City website.
Chris Osgood National Hockey League Player Medicine Hat has produced its share of hockey greats and among them is goaltender Chris Osgood. From the age of five, Chris loved to play hockey both as a forward and as a goalie. A few years later he was handpicked to mind the net full-time. The position has suited him well as he has become one of the best goaltenders in professional hockey today. Born November 26, 1972, Chris grew up in Medicine Hat with his mother and brother. His favourite pastime was playing street hockey with his friends-all pretending to be NHL stars. Chris played all his minor hockey in the Medicine Hat community. His Grandpa Sheuer had a special role in those years, taking him to games and cheering him on when his mother couldn't be there. Chris went on to play the majority of his junior hockey career with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. Known as an outstanding stick-handler, Chris became only the second goaltender in WHL history to score a goal. He later repeated this feat as a Detroit Red Wing, becoming the third goalie in National Hockey League history to find the open net at the far end of the ice. Chris was chosen by the Detroit Red Wings in the June, 1991 entry draft. He made his National Hockey League debut in 1993 and played in 40 more games that year. His breakthrough year came in 1995-96 when he lead the NHL with a record of 39-6-5 and tied for first in the league with a 2.17 goals-against average. He also set a franchise record with a 21-game unbeaten streak. That season Chris played his first NHL All-Star Game and shared the William Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals against during the regular season. Chris saw more dreams come true the following season when he recorded a career-best six shutouts and earned his first Stanley Cup. In 1998 the coveted Cup was in his hands once again, a victory even sweeter this time as his netminding played a key role in the Red Wings win. Chris went 16-6 in 22 playoff games, allowing just 48 goals while achieving a 2.12 goals-against average. On both occasions, Chris brought the Stanley Cup back to Medicine Hat to share his triumphant victory with his dedicated hometown friends and fans. In October of 1999 Chris posted his 25th NHL career shut out and he continues to break more records in the Detroit franchise book. Shouts of "Ozzie" and screams from excited fans fill the arena in Detroit whenever this popular player hits the ice. As Ozzie himself puts it, "it doesn't get any better in the NHL than playing for the Detroit Red Wings." While he would love to win another Stanley Cup, Chris Osgood's personal aim is to become the best goaltender in the National Hockey League.

Some neat statitstics:

1993

Osgood was appointed as Detroit's #1 minor league goaltending prospect after a stellar playoff performance for Seattle in '91-92. Im 15 post-season games he had a 3.30 GAA. He was also named to the WHL East All-Star Second Team. Detroit General Manager and coach Bryan Murray have been very impressed with Osgood's performance for Adirondack during the '92-93 season. Osgood "is the kind of goaltender who can win games by himself". Murray said. "We think he is going to be a top level goaltender in time".
1994

After three seasons and three teams in junior hockey, Osgood made his professional debut with the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL last season, compiling a 12-7-1 record and a 3.20 GAA. In his first 14 NHL contests, he recorded a 7-3-2 record with a 3.04 GAA.

Displaying lots of grace under pressure, Chris emerged as one of the NHL's top young netminders in '93-94. he went 23-8-5, with a 2.66 GAA, during the regular season and shut out the Sharks in his first NHL playoff game. Chris posted back 2 back shutouts in Feb. when he was named the league's Rookie of the Month.

Chris filled in admirably after Detroit goaltender Tim Cheveldae suffered a knee injury on the opening night of '93-94. The youngster played so well (4-3-2, 2.82 GAA) that the Red Wings didn't send him back to the minors after Cheveldae returned 11/20/93.

Chris combats his lack of size with outstanding reflexes and an aggressive style. His best play is to come out of his net to challenge the shooter and cut down the angles. He covers the low ice quickly and shuts his five-hole :-) He showed great durability in his junior days. Chris earned half of the Red Wings' 46 victories in '94-95.
1995

When Tim Cheveldae was injured at the start of '93-94, Chris stepped in and didn an outstanding job, going 3-1-1, with a 2.92 GAA, in his 1st six appearances. Chris, a graduate of the WHL, went 19-19-4 with a 3.91 GAA, for AHL in '92-93.

Osgood put up sensational numbers for a rookie netminder last season. Included in those numbers were back 2 back shutouts. He joined the Red Wings after playing a full season with the Adirondacks of the AHL in '92-93.

A cure for the Wings' goaltending blues last season, rookie Chris Osgood performed like a veteran backstop in the regular season as he led his squad to aa 100-point season and the best record in the Western conference. He recorded a .895 SV% against 999 shots. Osgood continued his strong play in the playoffs, recording a 2.35 GAA before Detroit fell to an inspired Sharks team in seven games.

Thrown into the NHL fire in his rookie season, Chris thrived, providing the high-powered Red Wings with impressively poised, reliable goaltending.
1996

chris combined with Mike Vernon & Kevin Hodson to record the NHL's best team GAA among NHL goaltenders. His 14 career shutouts tie him with Roy Edwards for eighth on Detroit's all-time list. If he has six in '97-98, he ties third-place roger Crozier.

Chris was O-so-good in '94-95 as he ranked 4th in the NHL in GAA & 2nd in SV%. The Red Wings compiled the best regular season record (33-11-4) in the league as he & fellow netminder Mike Vernon allowed just 117 goals, 2nd only to Chicago's 115.

A former WHL All-Star, Osgood registered the NHL's 4th best GAA & the leagues's 2nd highest SV% for the Red Wings during the '94-95 season.

With 39 wins, Chris had the 4th best goaltending season in Red Wings history. Terry Sawchuk had 44 wins twice, and 40 wins once, Roger Crozier also had 40 wins in '64-65.
1997

Chris is coming off a tremendous season. He led all NHL goalies in wins (39) and tied Philadelphia's Ron Hextall for the lead in GAA (2.17). He only had six losses. His play as Detroit's #1 goalie helped the Wings establish a new NHL record with 62 wins in a single season. Chris also fired a puck the length of the ice into the empty net against Hartford last year to score his 1st NHL goal. he also scored a goal as a junior in the WHL, and Whalers forward Geoff Sanderson was on the ice as an opponent on both occasions. Chris himself has said this was the best year of his career. He also shared the Jennings Trophy with Mike Vernon having the best team GAA in the league, and went to his 1st NHL All-Star game.

chris earned his 16th career shutout when he made 21 saves in Detroit's 2-0 victory over Montreal on November 28 '97.
1998

An NHL Second Team All-Star in '95-96, Osgood continued to shine in '96-97. His six shutouts were the most by a red Wing goaltender since Roy Edwards recorded six in '72-73.

Chris had six shutouts last year giving him 11 in the last two seasons. The little guy with loads of confidence recorded a stunning 39-6 record in '95-96.

With the #1 goaltending job finally his this season, Detroit's Chris Osgood blossomed into one of the game's most dominant netminders. Through the All-Star break, the 25-year-old backstop owned the NHL's 3rd highest wins total, logged the 4th best GAA and had guided the Red Wings to the league's 2nd best record.

In a rematch of the '97 Stanley Cup Finals, the result stayed the same as Chris had 20 saves in the wings' 1-0 shutout victory over Philadelphia on January 24th '98. It was the 3rd shutout of the month for Osgood, who earned the 15th zero of his career earlier in the season when he made 29 saves in a 3-0 victory over Tampa Bay.
1999

Chris was a vital contributer to the Wings' strong regular season showing in '97-98. Known as a durable workhorse, Chris was at his best in December when he posted a 7-2-4 record with a 2.18 GAA and .916 SV%.

Sawchuk and Osgood share this oddity: The Red Wings won the Stanley Cup with Harry Lumley in goal in 1950, but going against conventional wisdom, broke up the winning combination by trading the veteran netminder to make room for a promising youngster. Sawchuk got the job and led the Wings to three more Stanley Cups in the next four seasons.
2000

Osgood who has never posted a season GAA above 2.86, registered another solid campaign in '98-99, racking up a 2.42 GAA and a .910 SV%. He kept the Red Wings in virtually every contest, compiling a 34-25-4 record on the year. Osgood rarely goes into slumps, another sign of a goaltender who is good on a nightly basis.

In just six years of NHL work for the Red Wings, Chris has already placed himself among the great goalies ever to strap on pads in Detroit. In '98-99, he passed Harry Lumley on the team wins list, his 166 victories trailing only Hall of Famer Terry Sawchuk (352). And with a March 6th '96 goal, Ozzie outscored Lumley AND Sawchuk :-)

Osgood turned in a solid campaign, posting a 2.42 GAA, on 1-16-99, he made 16 saves in a 2-2 tie @ Vancouver. In doing so, he extended his OT shutout streak to 31 games. he was 7-0-24 in the streak. he hadn't given up a regular season OT goal since a 2-1 loss to the Rangers on 12-8-95, which is over 3 years!

As the Red Wings make yet another run for the Stanley Cup, Osgood has again proven to be the difference-maker on defense. He made sure Detroit got off on the right foot this season as he logged two shutouts and a 1.92 GAA through the first 2 months of the season. The Wings began the season 11-2-3 in that time.

Osgood plays his position soundly. He is an ideal fit with the Red Wings because they know he'll keep them in most contests. He has shown the ability to carry his club at times, as he's tough to stop when he's on a roll.

Osgood ended up 3rd in the NHL last season with 34 wins. It gave him 90 the past three years and 166 for his career. Osgood was in net for all 4 of Detroit's first-round victories against Anaheim during the '99 playoffs, including Game 4, a series clinching 3-0 whitewashing on 4-27-99.

osgood has become one of the steadiest netminders in the league. He finished last year with a 2.42 GAA after posting marks of 2.21, 2.30, and 2.17 respectively. He gives the Red Wings the knowledge that their goalie is going to keep them in nearly every contest.

Osgood has stepped up and become one of the most reliable goalies in the entire league. he is good for 30-40 wins per season, and figures to keep the Wings competitive on a nightly basis.

Chris earned his 3rd shutout of '99-00 with a 13 save performance in the Red Wings' 2-0 blanking of the division-rival Blues on 2-10-00.

Chris posted his 30th win of '98-99, gloving 23 saves in detroit's 6-1 victory over Tampa Bay. It was the 3rd time in 4 years that Osgood has reached the 30-win plateau.

chris helped the Red Wings sweep Anaheim in the first round of the '99 playoffs with 31 saves in Detroit's 3-0 win over the Ducks. It was his sixth career postseason shutout.

Consider some of the men to precede him- Terry Sawchuk, Glen Hall, Roger Crozier- and it's no small feat that Osgood owns Detroit's all-time GAA.

A great competitor, hates to lose or give up bad goals, plays angles well, and is lightning fast on his feet, handles the puck well.

Osgood's career .644 winning percentage puts him near the head of the class. At his current rate, he could one day reach the 300 win mark.

Note: Most of this information was from the backs of sports cards and newspapers. I didn't write it.