HIGHLIGHTS
WEIGHT: 176
DOB: 1972
TEAM: Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
GAA: 2.48
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***On Monday December 27th, 2010, in a game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center, Osgood earned his 400th career victory. He became just the 10th goaltender in NHL history to reach this impressive milestone. The Red Wings won the game 4-3 in overtime and Osgood finished the game with 46 saves***
(Q) You’ve been a fan favorite here in Detroit for many years. When you were selected 54th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1991, did you ever imagine you would become such a large icon with the fans here in the Motor City?
(A) Not at all. When I was drafted, my goal was to first make the team. Then, my goals changed from year to year and grew larger and larger. As for being an icon, I am not so sure about that; but I would say I’m blessed to have played in Detroit for all these years.
(Q) After spending 8 years in Detroit (1993-2001) and then being traded to the New York Islanders and then the St. Louis Blues, how did it feel to come back to Detroit in 2005?
(A) It felt great. It was the first time I realized how much I loved playing in Detroit when I put the Red Wings jersey on again.
(Q) Playing goal in Detroit naturally attracts heavy attention and scrutiny from the media and fans. How do you play through that?
(A) You focus on the task at hand, whether it’s a practice or a game. The key is to work hard and play the best hockey you can. Hockey is fun and I’ve never forgotten that.
(Q) Offer some strategies that you work on with your personal goalie coach Stan Matwijiw of Bandits Goalie School?
(A) I work on my foot speed and body positioning. The biggest thing I have learned from Stan may seem like its simple: it’s to watch the puck at all times and to finish off every save. As well, Stan has instilled in me to always be aware of my surroundings and to never be caught by surprised … Or as he calls it, “checking your mirrors.”
(Q) Can you describe your own style?
(A) I think I’d consider myself to be a hybrid goaltender. I believe I’m a butterfly goalie when I need to be but also stand up when needed. I believe in using the best techniques that suit you for a specific move or save. No goalie is the same.
