NHL Records: The Quarterbacks of the Crease—The Elite 40-Assist Club
In the NHL, goalies are judged by how many pucks they stop. But, aside from just stopping pucks, a rare group of legends helped redefine the position by contributing to the offensive part of the game, too. These "quarterbacks of the crease" didn't just stand in the paint; they hunted for open ice and helped jump-start counter-attacks. And—worthy of conversation—in the history of the NHL, four goalies reached the 40-assist plateau.
1. Tom Barrasso (48 Assists)
At the top of the list is Tom Barrasso. Over 777 NHL games, he racked up 48 assists, the most ever by a goaltender. Alongside 48 assists, Barrasso won 369 NHL games and collected 2 Stanley Cup rings.
2. Grant Fuhr (47 Assists)
Grant Fuhr was part of the engine behind the Edmonton Oilers' transition game. In 868 games, Fuhr tallied 47 assists, thriving in the high-scoring 1980s. Alongside 47 assists, Fuhr won 403 NHL games and collected 5 Stanley Cup rings.
3. Patrick Roy (45 Assists)
Patrick Roy played with a fiery, calculated edge that didn't stop at making saves. Across 1,029 games, he racked up 45 assists, proving just how efficient he was at moving the puck. Alongside 45 assists, Roy won 551 NHL games and collected 4 Stanley Cup rings.
4. Martin Brodeur (45 Assists)
Martin Brodeur put up 45 assists over 1,266 games, and his influence on the game was so massive that the NHL literally changed the rink dimensions, creating the "trapezoid" to limit his puck-handling. Alongside 45 assists, Brodeur won 691 NHL games and collected 3 Stanley Cup rings.
40-Assist Club: A Legacy Beyond the Saves
The NHL’s elite “40-Assist Club” is a testament to hockey IQ. Barrasso, Fuhr, Roy, and Brodeur aren't just in the Hockey Hall of Fame for their saves—they are there because they saw the game differently. They stepped out of the crease, challenged the rules, and proved that sometimes the best way to defend a lead is to help score the next goal.
Fun Fact 1: Patrick Roy was never one to play it safe; he famously showed off his audacity in a 1997 game against the Rangers when he stickhandled right past Wayne Gretzky and hauled the puck all the way to center ice before the whistle blew.
Fun Fact 2: Martin Brodeur acted like a third defenseman, killing off the "dump and chase" by calmly finding teammates and clearing the zone. He didn't just play goal; he changed the way teams had to forecheck, which—ultimately—led to a rule change.