Happy Birthday Rogie Vachon
Happy 69th Birthday to Kings great Rogie Vachon!
Vachon played 16 seasons in the NHL as a goaltender for the Montreal Canadians, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings! Seven of his pro-playing seasons were spent in Los Angeles, where Vachon played some of his best hockey, helping to establish the Kings as a competitive hockey franchise.
Vachon joined the Montreal Canadians in the later half of the 1966-1967 season as a backup to Gump Worsley. In 1967-1968 Vachon played 39 games, resulting in Vachon sharing the Vezina Trophy with Worsley. They posted a 2.26 Goals Against Average, which was a league best dating back to 1958. Vachon won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1968 and 1969 with the Canadians. Vachon played as the Canadians starting goalie until November of 1971, when he requested a trade after a snot-nosed rookie punk named Ken Dryden took-over the netkeeper duties.
In 1971, Vachon became a King. Vachon still holds 8/20 of the Kings franchise goalkeeper records, including most games played, most career
Feb 6, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) reacts after the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Blue Jackets 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
shutouts, and most shutouts in one season. Most of Vachon’s records stood until recently, a span of three decades. Three of the records on this list have not been updated. All-Star Jonathan Quick has taken the records, Most Career Wins with 176 – which he just took this past season, Most Shutouts (SO) in one season at 10, and one season GAA: 1.95. Quick is also tied with Vachon for single season SV% of .929. Quick broke and tied Vachon’s GAA, SO and SV% records with his performance during the 2011-2012 season.
Vachon never won the Cup with the Kings, but he helped them set a new franchise record for points in a season with 105 during 1974-1975. Vachon was known for his quick glove hand and his great skill as a one-on-one goaltender. Vachon never allowed a single penalty-shot goal.
After retiring Vachon returned to L.A. in 1983 as the Kings General Manager. He also served as a coach and president of hockey operations throughout his tenure. Vachon retired as General Manager in 1991, but continued to assist the Kings franchise as a consultant. The Kings retired his jersey in 1985.
His number 30 in the Purple and Gold still hangs in the rafters of the Staples center.
Here’s to one of our Kings. Happy Birthday Rogie!