Alex Auld facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alex Auld |
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Auld with the Boston Bruins in 2007
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| Born | January 7, 1981 Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | ||
| Weight | 223 lb (101 kg; 15 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Vancouver Canucks Florida Panthers Phoenix Coyotes Boston Bruins Ottawa Senators Dallas Stars New York Rangers Montreal Canadiens Red Bull Salzburg |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 40th overall, 1999 Florida Panthers |
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| Playing career | 2001–2013 | ||
Alexander James Auld (born January 7, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for many teams. These include the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens.
Auld also represented Team Canada three times. He played in the 2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, the 2004 Spengler Cup, and the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.
Contents
Playing Career: Alex Auld's Journey in Hockey
Early Hockey Days: Minor and Junior Leagues
Alex Auld started playing hockey in his hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was part of the Thunder Bay Kings program. During his minor hockey years, he played with future NHL stars like Taylor Pyatt and Patrick Sharp. His Kings team won a gold medal in the All Ontario Bantam AAA championships in 1997.
Auld began his junior career with the North Bay Centennials in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 1998. After playing 38 games, the Florida Panthers drafted him. This happened in the second round, 40th overall, of the 1999 NHL entry draft. He continued to play for the Centennials for two more seasons.
In his final junior season, Auld joined Team Canada. He won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Later that season, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks.
Turning Pro: Alex Auld in the NHL
Auld became a professional player in the 2001–02 season. He first joined the Manitoba Moose, the Canucks' team in the American Hockey League (AHL). After an ankle injury, he played a few games in the East Coast Hockey League. His strong play quickly moved him back to the AHL.
Auld got his first chance to play in the NHL on January 23, 2002. He helped the Canucks win 4–2 against the Dallas Stars. He continued to play mostly in the AHL, but he also appeared in seven NHL games during the 2002–03 season. He even played one playoff game. On March 23, 2003, Auld earned his first NHL shutout against the Washington Capitals.
During the 2003–04 season, Auld again spent most of his time in the AHL. However, when Canucks' starting goalie Dan Cloutier was injured in the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, Auld stepped up. He became the starting goalie for the playoffs and played well, pushing the Calgary Flames to a Game 7.
Becoming a Starter: Alex Auld's Rise
The 2004–05 NHL lockout meant Auld played the entire season with the Manitoba Moose. He was a key player for the team, helping them reach the third round of the Calder Cup playoffs. He also played for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in December 2004.
When the NHL returned for the 2005–06 season, Auld started as a backup. But when Dan Cloutier suffered a serious knee injury, Auld became the main starting goalie for the Canucks. He played very well, winning the Cyclone Taylor trophy as the team's Most Valuable Player. He also joined Team Canada for the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.
Moving Around: Alex Auld's NHL Teams
In June 2006, Auld was part of a big trade. He moved to the Florida Panthers along with Todd Bertuzzi and Bryan Allen. In return, the Canucks received Roberto Luongo. Auld faced tough competition for the starting goalie spot in Florida.
After one season with Florida, Auld signed with the Phoenix Coyotes in August 2007. He played nine games for Phoenix before being traded to the Boston Bruins in December 2007. He played well as a backup for the Bruins during the 2007–08 season.
On July 1, 2008, Auld signed a two-year deal with the Ottawa Senators. He quickly became the team's starting goalie due to his strong play. He shared goaltending duties with Brian Elliott in Ottawa. In July 2009, he was traded to the Dallas Stars.
Auld struggled with the Stars and was later claimed by the New York Rangers in February 2010. He played a few games for the Rangers. On July 1, 2010, he signed with the Montreal Canadiens as a backup to Carey Price. He had a good season with Montreal.
In July 2011, Auld returned to the Ottawa Senators for another season. He played his final professional season in 2012–13 with EC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. He then retired from hockey.
International Play: Representing Canada
Alex Auld proudly played for Team Canada several times.
- He won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
- He helped Team Canada finish third at the 2004 Spengler Cup.
- He made his full international debut at the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, where Canada finished fourth.
Life After Hockey: Alex Auld's New Role
After retiring from playing, Alex Auld became a broadcaster. He now works for Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, covering Canucks games on weekends.
Personal Life: Family and Home
Alex Auld was born in Cold Lake, Alberta, but grew up mostly in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He is married to Melanie Auld, who is a designer. They have two children and split their time between Vancouver and Thunder Bay.
Career Statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 1997–98 | Sturgeon Falls Lynx | NOJHL | 11 | 4 | 6 | 0 | — | 611 | 46 | 0 | 4.52 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | North Bay Centennials | OHL | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 206 | 17 | 0 | 4.95 | .872 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | North Bay Centennials | OHL | 37 | 9 | 20 | 1 | — | 1894 | 106 | 1 | 3.36 | .899 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 170 | 10 | 0 | 3.53 | — | ||
| 1999–00 | North Bay Centennials | OHL | 55 | 21 | 26 | 6 | — | 3047 | 167 | 2 | 3.29 | .891 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 374 | 12 | 0 | 1.93 | .950 | ||
| 2000–01 | North Bay Centennials | OHL | 40 | 22 | 11 | 5 | — | 2319 | 98 | 1 | 2.54 | .917 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 240 | 15 | 0 | 3.75 | .883 | ||
| 2001–02 | Columbia Inferno | ECHL | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | 375 | 12 | 0 | 1.92 | .927 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 21 | 11 | 9 | 0 | — | 1104 | 65 | 1 | 3.53 | .881 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.000 | ||
| 2001–02 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 | .909 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 37 | 15 | 19 | 3 | — | 2209 | 97 | 3 | 2.64 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 382 | 10 | 1 | 1.57 | .939 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 3.00 | .800 | ||
| 2003–04 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 40 | 18 | 16 | 4 | — | 2329 | 99 | 4 | 2.55 | .915 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 348 | 12 | 0 | 2.07 | .929 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 222 | 9 | 0 | 2.43 | .898 | ||
| 2004–05 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 50 | 25 | 18 | 4 | — | 2763 | 118 | 2 | 2.56 | .909 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 128 | 7 | 0 | 3.29 | .860 | ||
| 2005–06 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 67 | 33 | 26 | — | 6 | 3859 | 189 | 0 | 2.94 | .902 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 27 | 7 | 13 | — | 5 | 1470 | 82 | 1 | 3.34 | .888 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 9 | 3 | 6 | — | 0 | 508 | 30 | 1 | 3.54 | .880 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | San Antonio Rampage | AHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 119 | 5 | 1 | 2.53 | .906 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 23 | 9 | 7 | — | 5 | 1213 | 47 | 2 | 2.32 | .919 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 43 | 16 | 18 | — | 7 | 2449 | 101 | 1 | 2.47 | .911 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 21 | 9 | 6 | — | 0 | 1181 | 59 | 0 | 3.00 | .894 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | New York Rangers | NHL | 3 | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 119 | 5 | 0 | 2.53 | .904 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 16 | 6 | 2 | — | 2 | 749 | 33 | 0 | 2.64 | .914 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 14 | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | 645 | 36 | 0 | 3.35 | .884 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | EC Red Bull Salzburg | EBEL | 16 | — | — | — | — | 844 | 46 | 1 | 3.27 | .892 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 237 | 91 | 88 | 2 | 30 | 12,985 | 606 | 6 | 2.80 | .904 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 242 | 10 | 0 | 2.48 | .892 | ||||
Awards and Honours
- OHL Second All-Rookie Team - 1999
- OHL Third All-Star Team - 2001
- Cyclone Taylor Trophy (Vancouver Canucks MVP) - 2006
- Molson Cup (Vancouver Canucks three-star selection leader) - 2006
