Between the Pipes: Glenn Hall—The NHL All-Star Goalie Who Set an Unbreakable Record in Net
From Saskatchewan to the Big League
Former NHL goalie, Glenn Hall, was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan on October 3, 1931. After working his way through junior hockey, he broke into the NHL in the early 1950s. His first stop was Detroit, but it didn’t take long before the league realized he belonged somewhere else—right in the middle of the action.
The Ironman in the Original Six
Hall’s career truly took off with the Chicago Black Hawks, where he became one of the most dependable players the NHL has ever seen. In an era when goalies wore minimal padding and faced constant traffic, Hall did something almost unthinkable: he played every night. His streak of 502 straight regular-season games (552 including Stanley Cup playoff games) remains unmatched by any goaltender, then or now. Back-up goalies existed—but not if Glenn Hall was healthy.
His numbers back up the legend. Hall finished his career with over 400 wins, a goals-against average under 2.50, and more than 80 shutouts. Those stats weren’t padded by modern systems or equipment. They came from sharp angles, quick reactions, and a calm presence that never seemed rattled, even when games turned chaotic.
Cool Fact: Glenn Hall, recognized as the first goalie to develop and effectively use the butterfly style to stop pucks, was given the nickname, "Mr. Goalie".
Stanley Cup Playoff Performances, Awards, and Respect
The defining team moment of Hall’s career came in 1961, when he helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup, which ended a long drought for the hockey franchise. Individually, he collected three Vezina Trophies (1963, 1967, 1969), won the Calder Memorial Trophy (1968) as rookie of the year, and earned regular All-Star recognition. More than the hardware, Glenn Hall earned respect. Players knew that if Hall was in net, the game was never out of reach.
A New Chapter in St. Louis
When the NHL expanded in 1967, Hall became the face of the St. Louis Blues. In 1967-68, paired with Seth Martin of Trail, British Columbia and coached by Scotty Bowman, Hall helped guide the Blues to a Stanley Cup Final appearance. For an expansion team, that run was extraordinary—and Hall’s leadership set the standard.
Cool Fact: In the 1968 Stanley Cup Final series, the St. Louis Blues were swept 4-0 by the Montreal Canadiens—in four exciting 1-goal games. Hall's remarkable play led to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy—Playoff MVP (an award that rarely goes to a player from a losing team).
Mr. Goalie: A Lasting Impact
NHL All-Star, Glenn Hall, didn’t just stop pucks. He changed expectations. His preparation, durability, and consistency reshaped the goaltending position. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975, “Mr. Goalie” remains a benchmark for toughness, intelligence, and quiet excellence—exactly the kind of goalie hockey fans never forget.