Curtis Joseph facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Curtis Joseph
Joseph in 2013
Born	(1967-04-29) April 29, 1967 (age 58) Keswick, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	St. Louis Blues Edmonton Oilers Toronto Maple Leafs Detroit Red Wings Phoenix Coyotes Calgary Flames
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1989–2009
Medal record Men's ice hockey Representing Canada Olympic Games Gold 2002 Salt Lake City World Championships Silver 1996 Austria World Cup of Hockey Silver 1996 Canada Spengler Cup Gold 2007 Spengler Cup

Curtis Shayne Joseph (born April 29, 1967) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional player. He was a fantastic goaltender, known for his cool nickname "Cujo". You could always spot him on the ice because his goalie masks had a snarling dog design.

During his long career in the NHL, Joseph played for several teams. He became very famous during the playoffs with the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, and Calgary Flames. His last season was with the Maple Leafs in 2008–09. He was also a key player on Canada's team that won the gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Joseph retired with 454 career wins. This was the most wins for any NHL goaltender who never won the Stanley Cup. He was also the first goalie to win 30 or more games in a regular season for five different teams. He was the last goaltender to have played in the NHL during the 1980s.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Curtis Joseph was born on April 29, 1967. His young parents gave him up to be fostered by Jeanne and Howard Eakins. They thought the Eakins family could give him a better life. He was named Curtis after his birth father. Later, Jeanne married Harold Joseph, and Curtis began using Joseph as his last name.

Curtis grew up in Sharon, Ontario. He started playing hockey for the East Gwillimbury Eagles. He later moved to Saskatchewan to play for Notre Dame College. Even though he led the Notre Dame Hounds to the Centennial Cup in 1988, and played for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, no NHL team drafted him. He signed with the St. Louis Blues as a free agent in 1989. Before joining the NHL, he played 23 games for the Peoria Rivermen in the IHL.

Playing Career Highlights

Curtis Joseph, known as "Cujo," always wore the number 31. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, and Calgary Flames. He was chosen for the NHL All-Star Game three times (1994, 1999, 2000). In 2000, he won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This award is given to players who show great leadership and help their community. He also won an Olympic Gold Medal with Team Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

College Hockey at Wisconsin

Joseph started his college hockey career at the University of Wisconsin. While playing for the Badgers, he won 21 games. He was also named to the WCHA All-Conference Team. After his first year, the St. Louis Blues signed him to a contract, even though he was not drafted.

NHL Career Journey

St. Louis Blues (1989–1995)

Joseph playing for the St. Louis Blues in 1990

Joseph joined the NHL in 1990 with the St. Louis Blues. In the 1992–93 season, he played a huge part in helping the Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs. The Blues swept them in four games. They then faced the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Joseph's amazing play helped the series go to seven games. Because of his efforts, he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, which is given to the best goalie. After the 1995 playoffs, the Blues traded his rights to the Edmonton Oilers.

Edmonton Oilers (1995–1998)

When Joseph joined the Edmonton Oilers, he quickly became a star. He won two team MVP awards and was named the Most Popular Player. He led the Oilers to upset wins in the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Stars in 1997 and the Colorado Avalanche in 1998. These were the Oilers' first playoff series wins since 1992.

Joseph with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2001

Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–2002)

After the 1997–98 season, Joseph signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had three straight seasons with more than 30 wins. He was also a runner-up for the Vezina Trophy twice (1999 and 2000). In 2000, he won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Joseph was a key player in the Leafs' runs to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1999 and 2002.

After the 2001–02 season, Joseph left the Maple Leafs. He signed with the Detroit Red Wings. This move was a big deal and made many fans in Toronto sad.

Detroit Red Wings (2002–2004)

The Detroit Red Wings had just won the Stanley Cup in 2002. They signed Curtis Joseph to a big contract to replace their retired goalie. Joseph had a strong second half of the 2002–03 season. However, the Red Wings lost in the first round of the 2003 playoffs.

In 2003, another star goalie, Dominik Hašek, decided to come out of retirement. The Red Wings ended up with two starting goalies. Joseph played well when Hašek was injured. In the 2004 playoffs, Joseph stepped up when the starting goalie struggled. He helped Detroit win their first-round series. The Red Wings were later defeated by the Calgary Flames. Joseph was one of the best goalies in the 2004 playoffs based on his stats.

Phoenix Coyotes (2005–2007)

In 2005, Joseph signed with the Phoenix Coyotes. On October 28, 2005, he won his 400th NHL game. On March 28, 2006, he earned his 424th career win, moving him into sixth place on the NHL's all-time wins list. He returned to Phoenix for another season in 2006. While with the Coyotes, Joseph became the first goalie to have 30 or more regular season wins for five different teams.

Calgary Flames (2008)

On January 14, 2008, Joseph signed with the Calgary Flames. On March 1, 2008, he passed Terry Sawchuk for fourth place in all-time NHL wins with 448. This happened in a 3–1 win against his old team, the Phoenix Coyotes. On April 13, 2008, Joseph came into a playoff game against the San Jose Sharks. He helped the Flames come back from being down 3–0 to win 4–3. This made him the first goalie to win a playoff game for five different teams.

Return to Toronto (2008–2009)

On July 1, 2008, Joseph rejoined the Toronto Maple Leafs. He signed a one-year contract. He mostly served as a backup goalie, playing 21 games. On December 30, 2008, he got his 450th career win. On April 8, 2009, he recorded his 352nd NHL loss, tying a record at the time.

Joseph announced his retirement on January 12, 2010. His career ended with 454 regular season wins, which is the 5th most all-time. His 63 playoff wins are the most by a goalie who never won the Stanley Cup.

Joseph warming up before a game at the 2002 Winter Olympics

In the 2016–17 season, Joseph worked as a goaltending consultant for the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL.

International Play

Joseph was a member of the Canada men's national ice hockey team. He played for Canada in several big tournaments. These included the 1996 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, and the 2002 Winter Olympics. He also helped Team Canada win the 2007 Spengler Cup on December 31, 2007.

Personal Life

Curtis Joseph has been married twice and has seven children. His autobiography, Cujo: The Untold Story of My Life On and Off the Ice, was released in 2018.

Joseph was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. He was also inducted into the St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame in January 2025.

Career Statistics

NHL Totals

International Play Statistics

Awards and Honours

Leafs jersey worn by Joseph during a Hockey Hall of Fame Game in 2001

• Inducted into St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, 2015
• Inducted into St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame, 2025

See Also

• List of NHL goaltenders with 300 wins
• List of National Hockey League statistical leaders