Andrew Raycroft
Andrew Raycroft (born May 4, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 2000 to 2012, most notably winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2003–04 with the Boston Bruins.[1] Drafted by the Bruins in the fifth round, 135th overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Raycroft emerged as a promising starter in Boston, posting a 2.05 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in his Calder-winning season while helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals.[1] Over his NHL career, he appeared in 280 games with the Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, and Dallas Stars, compiling 113 wins, 9 shutouts, a 2.83 goals-against average, and .904 save percentage.[2] After retiring from professional play in 2014 following stints in European leagues, Raycroft transitioned into broadcasting and coaching.[1] As of 2025, he serves as a studio analyst for Boston Bruins coverage on NESN, providing expert commentary on games and team developments.[3] Additionally, Raycroft works as assistant coach for the Cape Cod Whalers 15U AAA youth team and remains active with the Boston Bruins Alumni Association.[4][5]Professional playing career
Boston Bruins era
After being selected by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round, 135th overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Raycroft completed two more seasons in the Ontario Hockey League before turning professional.[1] He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Bruins on June 1, 2000, and was immediately assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Providence Bruins, for the 2000–01 season.[1] There, he appeared in 26 regular-season games, posting an 8–14–4 record with a 3.37 goals-against average (GAA).[6] Raycroft made his NHL debut with the Bruins during the 2000–01 season, appearing in 15 games (11 starts) as a backup to Byron Dafoe amid several goaltending injuries on the roster.[7] He recorded a 4–6–0 mark with a 2.96 GAA and .890 save percentage.[2] Over the next two seasons, Raycroft continued in a backup role, primarily behind Félix Potvin after Dafoe's departure, seeing limited action with just one game in 2001–02 (0–0–1, 2.77 GAA) and five in 2002–03 (2–3–0, 2.40 GAA).[6] He split time between the NHL and Providence, where he honed his skills, achieving a 2.57 GAA in 56 games during 2001–02 and a 2.50 GAA in 39 games the following year.[1] Raycroft earned the starting role for the 2003–04 season after the Bruins re-signed him to a two-year contract extension on July 31, 2003.[5] He delivered a breakout performance, going 29–18–9 in 57 games with a 2.05 GAA, .926 save percentage, and three shutouts, helping the Bruins reach the Eastern Conference Finals.[7] His strong play earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.[5] The 2004–05 NHL lockout canceled the season, prompting Raycroft to sign with Tappara Tampere of Finland's SM-liiga, where he appeared in just one game with a 4.92 GAA before returning to North America.[1] He did not play for Providence during this period. Upon the lockout's resolution, Raycroft signed a one-year deal with the Bruins on September 16, 2005. In 2005–06, Raycroft initially shared starting duties with rookie Hannu Toivonen but struggled with injuries, including a knee issue and hamstring strain that caused him to miss time.[8] He appeared in 30 games with an 8–19–2 record, 3.72 GAA, and .879 save percentage, as the team rotated in Tim Thomas late in the season amid defensive woes and Raycroft's inconsistencies.[9] These challenges set the stage for his eventual departure from the organization.[10]Toronto Maple Leafs
On June 24, 2006, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired goaltender Andrew Raycroft from the Boston Bruins in exchange for the rights to prospect Tuukka Rask.[11] Shortly after the trade, on July 4, 2006, Raycroft signed a three-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs worth $6 million US.[12] Raycroft assumed the role of the Maple Leafs' primary starting goaltender for the 2006–07 season, appearing in 72 games and recording 37 wins, which tied the franchise record previously set by Ed Belfour in 2002–03.[13] His performance included a 2.99 goals-against average and .894 save percentage over 4,108 minutes of ice time, though these figures ranked 49th and 56th league-wide, respectively.[7] Despite the win total, the Maple Leafs finished with 91 points and missed the playoffs, ending a streak of seven consecutive appearances.[14] The 2007–08 season marked a sharp decline for Raycroft, who struggled early and lost the starting position to newly acquired Vesa Toskala after the Maple Leafs traded for him in the summer of 2007.[10] Limited by minor injuries including flu and a groin issue that caused him to miss three games, Raycroft appeared in only 19 games with a 2–9–5 record, 3.92 goals-against average, and .876 save percentage.[7][8] On June 24, 2008, the Maple Leafs placed Raycroft on unconditional waivers and subsequently bought out the final year of his contract, owing him two-thirds of his $2 million salary over a two-year period.[15] Raycroft's tenure underscored the Maple Leafs' goaltending instability during a stretch of six consecutive non-playoff seasons from 2005–06 to 2010–11, as the team cycled through multiple netminders without establishing a reliable starter.[16] His initial promise faded amid defensive inconsistencies and heightened expectations in Toronto's high-pressure market, contributing to the organization's broader challenges in net during that era.[10]Colorado Avalanche
Following his buyout by the Toronto Maple Leafs in June 2008, where the team retained two-thirds of his $2.2 million salary, Andrew Raycroft signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Colorado Avalanche as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2008.[15] This move positioned him as the backup goaltender to Peter Budaj, filling a need after the departure of José Théodore, amid a roster transition that included the addition of fellow ex-Leaf Darcy Tucker. Raycroft faced immediate adaptation challenges in Denver's high altitude and on a rebuilding team, receiving limited starts in a rotation that emphasized Budaj's experience. In the 2008–09 season, Raycroft appeared in 31 games for the Avalanche, posting a 12–16–0 record with a 3.14 goals-against average and .892 save percentage.[7] He served primarily as Budaj's understudy during Colorado's dismal campaign, which ended with a 32–45–5 record and 69 points, placing last in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs.[17] Raycroft filled in during Budaj's rest periods and minor ailments, contributing to a brief hot start with a 9–1–0 stretch early in the season, including a three-game win streak from January 6–10 against Nashville, Chicago, and Pittsburgh—highlighted by a 43-save effort in a 2–1 victory over the Blackhawks on January 8.[18] He came close to his first shutout of the season on December 18, stopping 37 of 38 shots in a 2–1 shootout win over Tampa Bay, but faltered later with inconsistencies, such as allowing seven goals in a 7–4 loss to Toronto on January 29. The Avalanche did not renew Raycroft's contract after the season, opting instead to sign free-agent goaltender Craig Anderson to a two-year, $3.625 million deal on July 1, 2009, as part of broader goaltending and roster overhauls following the team's collapse.[19]Vancouver Canucks
On July 6, 2009, Andrew Raycroft signed a one-year contract worth $500,000 with the Vancouver Canucks as a backup goaltender to Roberto Luongo, providing depth following his stint with the Colorado Avalanche.[20][21] This move positioned Raycroft on a contending team in the Northwest Division, where he competed with Curtis Sanford for the backup role during training camp and preseason.[22] During the 2009–10 season, Raycroft appeared in 21 games for the Canucks, posting a 9–5–1 record with a 2.42 goals-against average and .911 save percentage, contributing to Vancouver's strong defensive performance.[2] On February 12, 2010, he earned his 100th NHL career win in a 4–3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, making 28 saves in relief of Luongo.[23] Raycroft's reliable play in spot starts helped support the Canucks' Northwest Division title, where they finished first with 103 points and advanced to the playoffs as the third seed in the Western Conference.[24] Following the season, the Canucks did not re-sign Raycroft, and he entered free agency on July 1, 2010, concluding his brief but stabilizing tenure with the team.[8]Dallas Stars
Raycroft signed a two-year, $1.4 million contract with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2010, positioning him as the backup goaltender to Kari Lehtonen.[25] The deal included a two-way component for the first year, allowing flexibility for minor-league assignments if needed.[25] In the 2010–11 season, Raycroft appeared in 19 games for Dallas, achieving an 8–5–0 record with a 2.83 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.[2] His performance provided reliable support during Lehtonen's occasional absences, contributing to the Stars clinching a playoff spot as the eighth seed in the Western Conference on the final day of the regular season before losing 4–2 to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round.[2] The following year, however, Raycroft's role diminished amid increased competition from rookie Richard Bachman.[26] He played in only 10 games, posting a 2–8–0 record, 3.51 goals-against average, and .898 save percentage before being placed on waivers and assigned to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League on December 29, 2011.[2][26] With his contract set to expire at season's end, this marked the conclusion of Raycroft's NHL tenure, as no further opportunities arose in North America.[10] Reflecting on the period, Raycroft described his stints in Dallas, along with Colorado and Vancouver, as the final chapters of his professional playing career in the league, where he transitioned into a steady but limited backup position.[27]European leagues
Following his time with the Dallas Stars, Raycroft signed with HC Milano Rossoblu of the Italian Serie A on July 3, 2012.[28] In the 2012–13 season, he served as the team's primary goaltender, appearing in 42 regular-season games and recording a 2.69 goals-against average (GAA), .918 save percentage, 20 wins, and 5 shutouts.[1] Milano advanced to the playoffs, where Raycroft played 6 games with a 3.65 GAA and .915 save percentage.[1] On July 14, 2013, Raycroft transferred to IF Björklöven of the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan.[1] During the 2013–14 regular season, he appeared in 41 games, posting a 2.88 GAA, .897 save percentage, 16 wins, and 3 shutouts, as Björklöven finished 14th in the 14-team league.[1][29] The team entered the relegation qualification series (Kvalserien), where Raycroft played 10 games with a 2.16 GAA and .910 save percentage, helping Björklöven secure their HockeyAllsvenskan status against challengers from Division 1.[1] Raycroft's European stint highlighted the adjustments required for North American players transitioning to international competition, including smaller rink dimensions, distinct puck-handling rules, and a more fluid style emphasizing speed and passing over physicality. These elements, common to European leagues, demanded greater positional discipline and quicker lateral movements from goaltenders accustomed to the NHL's larger ice surface. On April 9, 2014, shortly after the conclusion of the Swedish season, Raycroft announced his retirement from professional hockey at age 33.[1] His two seasons abroad extended his career beyond the NHL, providing competitive play in prominent European leagues and contributing to team stability amid promotion and relegation pressures.[6]Post-retirement activities
Coaching career
Following his retirement from professional hockey in April 2014, Andrew Raycroft transitioned into coaching by joining the University of Connecticut men's ice hockey program as a volunteer goaltending coach.[30] In this role, he focused on developing the Huskies' goaltenders during the team's early years in the Hockey East conference, starting with the 2014-15 season.[31] Raycroft served through the 2016-17 season, providing hands-on instruction and leveraging his NHL experience from stints with teams like the Boston Bruins to refine training regimens tailored to collegiate athletes.[32] He emphasized technical skills, mental preparation, and game management, drawing directly from his professional background to help young goalies adapt to high-pressure environments.[33] Among his key contributions was mentoring goaltenders Rob Nichols and Adam Huska; Nichols recorded eight shutouts under Raycroft's guidance—more than all other UConn goalies combined over the subsequent seven years—while Huska posted a career-high .916 save percentage during their shared 2016-17 season.[32] These developments helped elevate the team's goaltending performance, contributing to UConn finishing no worse than ninth in Hockey East standings despite roster challenges and establishing a foundational standard for future prospects in the program.[32] Raycroft departed UConn after the 2016-17 season, citing the demands of his Boston-area commute, but his work laid groundwork for sustained player growth at the collegiate level.[32] As of November 2025, he continues his coaching involvement as head coach of the Cape Cod Whalers 15U AAA team in the Eastern Hockey Federation and as a director in the Bridge Program at Stop It Goaltending, focusing on youth development.[34][35] Raycroft also remains active with the Boston Bruins Alumni Association, participating in youth hockey clinics and charity games to promote the sport and support community initiatives. As of November 2025, he has hosted events such as TD PASS Clinics for youth development teams.[5][36]Broadcasting roles
After retiring from professional hockey, Andrew Raycroft transitioned into broadcasting, leveraging his experience as a goaltender to provide expert analysis for New England Sports Network (NESN) broadcasts of Boston Bruins games. He joined NESN as a studio and rinkside analyst in October 2017, offering insights into goaltending strategies and game dynamics during pregame, intermission, and postgame segments.[37] In 2021, Raycroft co-launched the podcast "Morning Bru with Jaffe & Razor," partnering with longtime NHL analyst Billy Jaffe to deliver daily breakdowns of Bruins games, player performances, and league news over coffee-style discussions. The show, which airs episodes shortly after games and on weekends via platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, has become a staple for fans seeking in-depth, conversational analysis from former insiders.[38] Raycroft expanded his media presence in the 2024–25 season by co-hosting NESN's "Unobstructed Views," an alternate telecast series featuring unfiltered commentary on Bruins games alongside former teammates Tuukka Rask and Patrice Bergeron. Broadcast on NESN and NESN 360, the program provides behind-the-scenes perspectives and lighthearted banter during select matchups, enhancing viewer engagement with its casual yet expert tone.[39][40] The program "Unobstructed Views," for which Raycroft served as analyst, won a 2025 New England Emmy Award in the Outstanding Sports Program – Post-Produced or Edited category, honoring his work on NESN's Bruins coverage. This accolade underscores Raycroft's growth from a player offering niche goaltending expertise to a versatile media personality who connects with audiences through humor, storytelling, and strategic breakdowns.[40]Personal life
Family
Andrew Raycroft married Erin O'Brien, a native of Foxborough, Massachusetts, in 2007.[41][42] The couple has three children: an older son, Mason Raycroft, born around 2009, and twins—a boy and a girl—born around 2013.[43][44] Raycroft's professional career involved frequent relocations, including trades from the Boston Bruins to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2006, then to the Colorado Avalanche in 2009, the Vancouver Canucks in 2011, and the Dallas Stars in 2012, which strained family life as the family packed up multiple times over six years.[10] His wife, rooted in the Boston area, found the move to Toronto particularly challenging during the 2004-05 NHL lockout-extended transition, though she provided steadfast support throughout his NHL tenure.[42] During Raycroft's brief stint in European leagues from 2012 to 2014, the family remained in the United States, allowing him to return to his adopted Boston-area hometown afterward to prioritize family stability.[45] Mason, following in his father's footsteps as a goaltender, was selected 286th overall by the Kingston Frontenacs in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection Draft.[44]Recent developments
In April 2025, Andrew Raycroft's son Mason, a goaltender like his father, was selected in the 15th round (286th overall) of the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection by the Kingston Frontenacs.[46][47] This milestone echoes Raycroft's own draft experience, as he was chosen 135th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, highlighting a family legacy in the position.[46] Raycroft has remained active in community initiatives in Massachusetts, where he resides with his family, focusing on youth hockey development and charitable causes. In March 2025, he participated as a Bruins alumnus in a PASS (Play At Something Special) clinic hosted by North Central Mass Youth Hockey, providing instruction to young participants.[48] Earlier that year, in June, he served as the guest speaker at the 2024-25 Central Massachusetts High School Sports Awards, engaging with local student-athletes.[49] Additionally, Raycroft holds a director role at Stop It Goaltending, supporting goaltending training programs for youth in the region.[50] Post-retirement, Raycroft has maintained a healthy, active lifestyle centered on family and hockey involvement, with no reported health challenges in recent years. He has openly discussed past mental health struggles from his playing career in a 2020 interview, emphasizing the importance of seeking support, which continues to inform his advocacy in youth programs.[51] Raycroft's broadcasting career has increasingly integrated with his family life, as he balances studio work from his Massachusetts base. Since the 2024-25 season, he has co-hosted "Unobstructed Views," an alternate Bruins telecast on NESN featuring former teammates Tuukka Rask and Patrice Bergeron, allowing him to contribute insights while staying close to home and supporting his son's emerging hockey path.[39]Career statistics
NHL regular season and playoffs
Andrew Raycroft appeared in 280 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season games over 11 seasons from 2000 to 2012, posting a career record of 113 wins, 114 losses, and 27 ties or overtime losses (T/OTL), with a 2.89 goals-against average (GAA), .900 save percentage (SV%), and 9 shutouts.[1][2] His performance varied across teams, including the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, and Dallas Stars, reflecting a breakout rookie year followed by inconsistent output due to injuries and competition for starting roles.[2] The following table summarizes Raycroft's NHL regular season statistics by season:| Season | Team | GP | W | L | T/OTL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | Boston Bruins | 15 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2.96 | .890 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | Boston Bruins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2.77 | .897 | 0 |
| 2002–03 | Boston Bruins | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2.40 | .918 | 0 |
| 2003–04 | Boston Bruins | 57 | 29 | 18 | 9 | 2.05 | .926 | 3 |
| 2005–06 | Boston Bruins | 30 | 8 | 19 | 2 | 3.72 | .879 | 0 |
| 2006–07 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 72 | 37 | 25 | 9 | 2.99 | .894 | 2 |
| 2007–08 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 19 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 3.92 | .876 | 1 |
| 2008–09 | Colorado Avalanche | 31 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 3.14 | .892 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | Vancouver Canucks | 21 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2.42 | .911 | 1 |
| 2010–11 | Dallas Stars | 19 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 2.83 | .910 | 2 |
| 2011–12 | Dallas Stars | 10 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 3.51 | .898 | 0 |
Minor and international leagues
Andrew Raycroft began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), playing for the Sudbury Wolves from 1997 to 1999 before transferring to the Kingston Frontenacs for the 1999–2000 season. In 139 regular-season games across these teams, he recorded a 3.82 goals-against average (GAA) and .913 save percentage (SV%), with one shutout. His most notable junior season came in 1999–00 with Kingston, where he appeared in 61 games, posting a 3.43 GAA and .924 SV% while helping the team to the OHL playoffs, though they were eliminated in the second round. In the playoffs overall, Raycroft played 10 games with a 5.19 GAA and .884 SV%.[1][6] Raycroft transitioned to professional hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Providence Bruins, the Boston Bruins' affiliate, starting in 2000–01. Over parts of six seasons with Providence from 2000 to 2006, he played 122 regular-season games, achieving a 2.70 GAA and .910 SV% with six shutouts. Key performances included the 2001–02 season (56 games, 2.57 GAA, .916 SV%, four shutouts) and 2002–03 (39 games, 2.50 GAA, .917 SV%, one shutout), during which he contributed to the team's Calder Cup playoff runs. In 2001–02 playoffs, Providence reached the division finals, with Raycroft in two games (2.52 GAA, .904 SV%); in 2002–03, they advanced to the conference finals, where he started four games (1.36 GAA, .955 SV%, one shutout). Later, in 2011–12, Raycroft joined the Texas Stars for 21 games, recording a 3.16 GAA and .891 SV%. His overall AHL totals stand at 143 games, 2.73 GAA, .908 SV%, and six shutouts, including six playoff appearances.[1][6][52]| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–98 | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | 33 | 8 | 16 | 5 | 1802 | 125 | 4.16 | .890 | 0 |
| 1998–99 | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | 45 | 17 | 22 | 5 | 2528 | 173 | 4.11 | .897 | 1 |
| 1999–00 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | 61 | 33 | 20 | 5 | 3340 | 191 | 3.43 | .918 | 0 |
| OHL Totals | 139 | 58 | 58 | 15 | 7670 | 489 | 3.82 | .913 | 1 |
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 26 | 8 | 14 | 4 | 1459 | 82 | 3.37 | .891 | 1 |
| 2001–02 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 56 | 25 | 24 | 6 | 3317 | 142 | 2.57 | .916 | 4 |
| 2002–03 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 39 | 23 | 10 | 3 | 2255 | 94 | 2.50 | .917 | 1 |
| 2005–06 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 3 | 2.80 | .870 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | Texas Stars | AHL | 21 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 1157 | 61 | 3.16 | .891 | 0 |
| AHL Totals | 143 | 66 | 58 | 14 | 8252 | 382 | 2.73 | .908 | 6 |
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | HC Milano | Italian Serie A | 42 | 20 | 22 | 0 | 2542 | 114 | 2.69 | .918 | 5 |
| 2013–14 | IF Björklöven | HockeyAllsvenskan | 41 | 16 | 24 | 0 | 2335 | 112 | 2.88 | .897 | 3 |
| European Totals (Selected) | 83 | 36 | 46 | 0 | 4877 | 226 | 2.78 | .908 | 8 |