Curtis Joseph – Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender 1998-2002, 2008-09
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Curtis “Cujo” Joseph as a free agent on July 15, 1998.
“Cujo” would play five seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his entire career, he would never win a Vezina trophy, but the closest he came was with the Leafs in 1999.
No Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender has won the Vezina trophy since the trophy began being awarded by vote in 1982, but in 1999, Curtis Joseph came closer than any when he was Vezina runner-up behind Dominik Hasek.
In 1999, Joseph was also fourth in Hart trophy voting behind only Dominik Hasek, Alexei Yashin and winner, Jaromir Jagr.
Curtis Joseph was a Vezina Trophy finalist again after the 1999-2000 season finishing third in voting behind Roman Turek and winner, Olaf Kolzig.
Joseph is one of the winningest goaltenders in NHL history having the seventh most NHL wins with 454 wins during his career. He had the fourth most single season wins in Toronto Maple Leafs history in 1999-2000 and the sixth most in 1998-99.
Curtis Joseph has yet to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, but his name seems to pop up every time players are inducted. Hopefully he’ll get the call to the Hall he deserves.
Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1990’s
#35 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
King Clancy Trophy Winner 2000
Vezina Trophy Runner- Up 1999
Vezina Trophy Finalist (3rd in voting) 2000
4th in Hart Trophy voting 1999
4th in NHL All-Star Team voting 1999
5th in NHL All-Star Team voting 2000
2nd Most NHL Wins 1998-99
4th Most NHL Wins 1999-2000
7th Best NHL Save Percentage 1999-2000
4th Most Single Season Wins in Toronto Maple Leafs History 1999-2000 (36)
6th Most Single Season Wins in Toronto Maple Leafs History 1998-99 (35)
7th Most Career Wins in NHL History (454)