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Dwayne Roloson
Dwayne Roloson
Roloson during the 2009-10 Season as a member of the New York Islanders.
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
Height
Weight
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
NHL Team
F. Teams
Tampa Bay Lightning
Calgary Flames
Buffalo Sabres
Minnesota Wild
Edmonton Oilers
New York Islanders
Born (1969-10-12)October 12, 1969,
Simcoe, ON, CAN
Pro Career 1998 – present
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Competitor for Flag of Canada Canada
World Championships
Bronze 1995 Sweden
Gold 2007 Moscow
Silver 2009 Bern


Albert Dwayne Roloson (born October 12, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, and New York Islanders during his professional career. He is often affectionately referred to by his fans as "Roli", which is on his mask, or Dwayne "The Rock". Following Mark Recchi's retirement, Roloson is currently the oldest active NHL player and the last active NHL player to have been born in the 1960s.

Playing career[]

Pre-NHL[]

A Hobey Baker Award nominee and NCAA All-American while tending goal for University of Massachusetts Lowell, Roloson went undrafted after graduating. He was signed as a free agent by the Calgary Flames in 1994. After splitting time between the Flames and their American Hockey League counterpart, the Saint John Flames, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres to back up Dominik Hašek. Following two years with the Sabres, he was picked up in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Rather than joining the Blue Jackets, Roloson signed with the AHL team of the St. Louis Blues, the Worcester IceCats.

NHL years[]

Minnesota years[]

Deciding to give the NHL one more try, Roloson earned a roster spot with the Minnesota Wild in 2001. In the 2002–03 NHL season, Roloson shared netminding duties with Manny Fernandez as the Wild made their first ever appearance in the post-season, defeating the Colorado Avalanche in the first round and the Vancouver Canucks in the second round. Despite splitting goaltending duties with Fernandez, Roloson earned his first All-Star appearance at age 34, appearing in the 2004 NHL All-Star Game with the Western Conference team. He also won the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award for having the NHL's best save percentage.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Roloson played with the SM-liiga's Lukko. He returned to the Wild once the lockout concluded.

Edmonton years and playoffs[]

On March 8, 2006, Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for the first round pick that later became part of a trade for Pavol Demitra and a conditional draft pick that later became a third-rounder. Initially, Oilers General Manager Kevin Lowe was harshly criticized for the acquisition when Roloson struggled during the regular season. Lowe was criticized both for not acquiring a better goaltender, and also for surrendering a first-round draft pick to a divisional rival.

Roloson

Roloson, playing for the Edmonton Oilers

Criticism was muted following sensational play by Roloson, backstopping the Oilers to the final of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had a record of 12–5 through the first three rounds, and along with Chris Pronger, was considered a front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Oilers were victorious in the finals.

However, during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Roloson suffered a third-degree MCL sprain of his right knee when Hurricanes forward Andrew Ladd was pushed into Roloson by a back-checking Oiler defenseman Marc-André Bergeron. Oilers coach Craig MacTavish announced that Roloson would not be able to continue in the series. It was also learned that he had hyper-extended his right elbow in the collision as well. As a result, Ty Conklin lost Game 1 after Roloson's departure and co-backup goalie Jussi Markkanen was left to finish the series. The Oilers eventually lost to the Hurricanes in seven games. Months of intense rehabilitation would follow in order to prepare Roloson for the 2006–07 season.

Roloson could have tested the unrestricted free agency market in the summer of 2006 but opted to re-sign with the Oilers on July 1, 2006. The majority of Edmonton fans were expecting Kevin Lowe to sign Roloson to a one or two-year contract due to his age, but in the end a three-year deal was signed.

He was a member of the Canadian 2007 IIHF World Championship team that won gold in a 4–2 win against Finland in Moscow.

In the 2007–08 season, Roloson started out strong before seeing his record fall to 7–12–0. By early January 2008, backup goaltender Mathieu Garon had taken the reins as starter. It wasn't until March 13, 2008, that Roloson had seen regular play, coming in as relief for an injured Garon, starting each subsequent game.

When the 2008–09 NHL season began, Roloson found himself vying for the starting goaltender position with Garon and upstart Jeff Deslauriers. For the beginning of the season, it appeared Garon was once again the starter, but after some bad games, Oiler coach Craig MacTavish decided to rotate Garon, Deslauriers and Roloson by playing whoever had the hot hand. Eventually, the team had to get rid of one of the goalies and ended up trading Garon to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Roloson claimed the starting spot. Down the stretch, he started 36 consecutive games as the Oilers fought for a playoff spot. During this time, he became the oldest goaltender to start more than 60 games in a single season. Though the Oilers ultimately did not qualify for the post-season, Roloson put up solid numbers, making upwards of 40 saves on a regular basis.

Only days after the last game of the season, Roloson (along with Oilers teammate Shawn Horcoff) was called upon for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships. He played in the finals against Russia, where Canada lost 2–1, regardless of some "great play" by Roloson.[1]

New York Islanders[]

Dwayne Roloson 2

Roloson in goal for the New York Islanders during their season home-opener.

On July 1, 2009, Roloson became an unrestricted free agent. After rejecting a one-year, $3 million deal from Edmonton, Roloson signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the New York Islanders. The Islanders also signed Martin Biron, who was to serve as Roloson's backup goalie while Rick DiPietro was out on injured reserve. Roloson lost his first game as an Islander on October 3, 2009 in a shootout.

On November 23, 2009, Roloson made 58 saves on 61 shots in a 4–3 overtime win in Toronto. The 58 saves were a career high, and broke the Islander club record of 56, held by Rick DiPietro.[2]

Tampa Bay Lightning[]

On January 1, 2011, Roloson was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenceman Ty Wishart.[3] He won his first game with Tampa Bay in a 1-0 overtime shutout against the Washington Capitals. In his first 11 games with the Lightning, he recorded 4 shutouts. In April 2011, Roloson recorded a shutout in a first round playoff Game 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, making him the oldest goaltender to do so. Roloson and the Lightning ultimately advanced to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, where they were eliminated by the Boston Bruins in seven games. With his contract set to expire the Lightning re-signed Roloson to a one-year $3 million deal on June 29, 2011.[4]

Awards and achievements[]

  • HE First All-Star Team - 1994
  • HE Player of the Year - 1994
  • HE William Flynn Tournament MVP Award - 1994
  • NCAA East First All-American Team - 1994
  • AHL Baz Bastien Memorial Trophy (Best Goaltender) - 2001
  • AHL First All-Star Team - 2001
  • NHL Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award – 2004
  • NHL All-Star Game – 2004

Career statistics[]

Regular season[]

   
Season Team League GP W L T OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1990–91 UMass-Lowell HE 15 5 9 0 823 63 0 4.59 n/a
1991–92 UMass-Lowell HE 12 3 8 0 660 52 0 4.73 n/a
1992–93 UMass-Lowell HE 39 20 17 2 2342 150 0 3.84 n/a
1993–94 UMass-Lowell HE 40 23 10 7 2305 106 0 2.76 n/a
1994–95 Saint John Flames AHL 46 16 21 8 2734 156 1 3.42 .900
1995–96 Saint John Flames AHL 67 33 22 11 4026 190 1 2.83 .905
1996–97 Saint John Flames AHL 8 6 2 0 481 22 1 2.75 .910
1996–97 Calgary Flames NHL 31 9 14 3 1618 78 0 2.89 .897
1997–98 Saint John Flames AHL 4 3 0 1 245 8 0 1.96 .939
1997–98 Calgary Flames NHL 39 11 16 8 2205 110 0 2.89 .897
1998–99 Rochester Americans AHL 2 2 0 0 120 4 0 2.00 .922
1998–99 Buffalo Sabres NHL 18 6 8 2 911 42 1 2.77 .909
1999–00 Buffalo Sabres NHL 14 1 7 3 677 32 0 2.84 .884
2000–01 Worcester IceCats AHL 52 32 15 5 3127 113 6 2.17 .929
2001–02 Minnesota Wild NHL 45 14 20 7 2506 112 5 2.68 .901
2002–03 Minnesota Wild NHL 50 23 16 8 2945 98 4 2.00 .927
2003–04 Minnesota Wild NHL 48 19 18 11 2847 89 5 1.88 .933
2004–05 Lukko Rauma Fin 34 20 10 4 2048 70 4 2.05 .931
2005–06 Minnesota Wild NHL 24 6 17 1 1361 68 1 3.00 .910
2005–06 Edmonton Oilers NHL 19 8 7 5 1163 47 1 2.42 .905
2006–07 Edmonton Oilers NHL 68 27 34 6 3931 180 4 2.75 .909
2007–08 Edmonton Oilers NHL 43 15 17 5 2340 119 0 3.05 .901
2008–09 Edmonton Oilers NHL 63 28 24 9 3597 166 1 2.77 .915
2009–10 New York Islanders NHL 50 23 18 7 2897 145 1 3.00 .907
2010–11 New York Islanders NHL 20 6 13 1 1206 53 0 2.64 .916
2010–11 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 34 18 12 4 1993 85 4 2.56 .912
NHL totals 566 214 241 42 37 32198 1424 28 2.65 .910
AHL totals 179 92 60 25 10733 493 9 2.76 .911

Playoffs[]

   
Season Team League GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1994–95 Saint John Flames AHL 5 1 4 299 13 0 2.60 .897
1995–96 Saint John Flames AHL 16 10 6 1027 49 1 2.86 n/a
1998–99 Buffalo Sabres NHL 4 1 1 139 10 0 4.31 .870
2000–01 Worcester IceCats AHL 11 6 5 697 23 1 1.97 .931
2002–03 Minnesota Wild NHL 11 5 6 578 25 0 2.59 .903
2004–05 Lukko Rauma Fin 9 4 5 512 18 2 2.10 .941
2005–06 Edmonton Oilers NHL 18 12 5 1159 45 1 2.33 .927
2010–11 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 17 10 6 982 41 1 2.51 .924
NHL totals 50 28 18 2860 121 2 2.54 .918
AHL totals 32 17 15 2022 85 2 2.52 ?

International statistics[]

Year Team Event   MINS GA GAA SO Sv.%
1995 Canada WJC
1995 Canada WHC
2007 Canada WHC 240 10 2.50 0 .910

Personal life[]

  • Roloson and his wife, Melissa, who were married around 1999–2000, have two sons, Brett, 7, and Ross, 5
  • Best friends with Rob Blake, with whom he played hockey in high school in Simcoe, Ontario. Also friends with Andrew Brunette[1]
  • Dwayne wears contact lenses and writes with his left hand.
  • The Saint Paul Police Federation swore in Dwayne Roloson as an honorary police officer for his interest and involvement. The award is to recognize the contribution and support to local law enforcement. Roli can now patrol his former neighborhood from when he played for the Wild.
  • Teaches his goalie school with Wild goaltending coach Bob Mason.
  • His mask has a shamrock with the initials "KR" to remember Kelly Ryan, a 12 year old player who attended several of Roloson's goalie camps. The shamrock also has the letters "TDLO", "The Dream Lives On."

References[]

External links[]

Preceded by
Marty Turco
Winner of the Crozier Award
2004
Succeeded by
Cristobal Huet
This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Dwayne Roloson. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).


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