Artūrs Irbe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Artūrs Irbe
Irbe in 2023
Born	(1967-02-02) 2 February 1967 (age 58) Riga, Latvian SSR, Soviet Union
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	Dynamo Riga San Jose Sharks Dallas Stars Vancouver Canucks Carolina Hurricanes HK Riga 2000 EC Red Bull Salzburg SK Rīga 20 Hk Dynamax Oil Nitra
National team	Soviet Union and  Latvia
NHL Draft	196th overall, 1989 Minnesota North Stars
Playing career	1981–2006
Medal record Men's ice hockey Representing Soviet Union World Championships Gold 1989 Sweden Team Gold 1990 Switzerland Team

Artūrs Irbe (born 2 February 1967) is a famous Latvian ice hockey coach and former goaltender. He was born when Latvia was part of the Soviet Union. Irbe played for many Soviet teams and the Soviet Union national team.

In 1991, he moved to North America. There, he played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for teams like the San Jose Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes. In 2004, Irbe went back to Europe to play until he retired in 2007.

After retiring, he became a coach. He coached goalies for teams like the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres. He also coached the Latvia men's national ice hockey team. In 2010, he was added to the IIHF Hall of Fame. This is a special place for hockey legends.

Playing Hockey: Artūrs Irbe's Journey

Irbe on a 2000 stamp of Latvia

Artūrs Irbe was chosen by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. This is how teams pick new players. He was the 196th player picked that year.

Irbe's first professional team was Dinamo Riga. This team played in the Soviet Hockey League from 1987 to 1991. In the 1987–88 season, he became their main goalie. He helped Dinamo Riga reach the league finals. They lost to the strong team CSKA Moscow.

During this time, he also played for the Soviet Union national team. They won the World Championships in 1989 and 1990. Irbe was even named the best goalie in the 1990 tournament.

In 1991, Latvia declared its independence from the Soviet Union. The Soviet government tried to stop this. Irbe refused to play for the Soviet Union that year. He even helped protect buildings in Riga when tanks were sent in.

Playing in the NHL: A Goalie's Story

Irbe started his North American career with the Kansas City Blades. This team was linked to the San Jose Sharks. In the 1991–92 season, he helped the Blades win the Turner Cup. This was their league championship.

He also played 14 games for the San Jose Sharks in the 1991–92 season. He stayed with the Sharks until 1996. With Irbe as goalie, the Sharks made their first playoffs in 1994. They even surprised the top team, the Detroit Red Wings. That season, Irbe played more minutes than any other NHL goalie.

Fans called Irbe "Archie" and "The Wall" because he was so good. He became a fan favorite in San Jose. After an injury and a tough season, he left the Sharks.

For the next two years, Irbe was a backup goalie. He played for the Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks. He did very well with both teams. Then, in 1998, he became the main goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes.

In 1999, Irbe was chosen for the NHL All-Star team. He was the first goalie to get an assist in an All-Star Game. His best time with the Hurricanes was in the 2001–02 season. He helped lead them all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. They played against the Detroit Red Wings but lost.

Playing in Lower Leagues

After a difficult 2002–03 season, the Hurricanes sent Irbe to a lower league. He played for the Johnstown Chiefs in the ECHL. He played well there and was even picked for the ECHL All-Star Game. However, he couldn't play due to a wrist injury. In March 2004, he was called back to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Final NHL Games

Irbe played his last NHL game on April 4, 2004. He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in June 2004. But he never played for them. The NHL had a lockout that canceled the 2004–05 season. After that, Irbe decided to play in Europe.

Return to Europe: Finishing His Career

Irbe played for HK Riga 2000 in Latvia. He also played for EC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria during the 2004–05 season. He later signed with HK Dynamax Nitra in Slovakia. But he left that team after a short time.

Artūrs Irbe's Unique Equipment

Irbe was known for his old-looking helmet and pads. They were full of puck marks and stains. He wore them for a long time, almost since his first NHL games. Because of this, some people nicknamed him the "Michelin Man".

Coaching Career: Guiding New Goalies

In 2008, Irbe became a goaltending coach for Dinamo Riga. In 2009, he moved to North America. He became the goaltending coach for the NHL's Washington Capitals. He left the Capitals in 2011 to spend more time with his family.

In 2013, Irbe became an assistant coach for the Latvia men's national ice hockey team. He later resigned due to a disagreement. In 2014, he was hired again as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres.

While coaching the Sabres in 2014, Irbe even dressed as a backup goalie for one game. This happened when their main goalie was injured. In 2017, he became a consultant for a Latvian hockey club.

In 2023, Irbe helped the Latvian national team win a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. He was their goaltending coach. The Latvian goalie, Artūrs Šilovs, was named the best player of the tournament.

Personal Life and Contributions

Artūrs Irbe is part of the Kids First Fund. This group helps abused and abandoned children in Latvia. He is on their board of directors.

At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Irbe was Latvia's flag-bearer. This means he carried his country's flag during the opening ceremonies.

Awards and Honors

Artūrs Irbe has received many awards throughout his career.

International Awards

• EJC Best Goaltender: 1985
• WC Best Goaltender: 1990
• IIHF Hall of Fame: 2010
• IIHF All-Time Latvia Team: 2020

Soviet Awards

• Rookie of the Year: 1988

IHL Awards

• Turner Cup: 1992
• IHL First All-Star Team: 1992
• James Norris Memorial Trophy (IHL): 1992 (Shared)

NHL Awards

• NHL All-Star Game: 1994, 1999

San Jose Sharks Awards

• Player of the Year: 1994

ECHL Awards

• ECHL All-Star Game: 2004 (Did not play due to injury)

San Jose Awards

• San Jose Sports Hall of Fame: 2010