Grant Fuhr facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Grant Fuhr
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2003
Fuhr at his induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame, February 2025
Born	(1962-09-28) September 28, 1962 (age 62) Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Right
Played for	Edmonton Oilers Toronto Maple Leafs Buffalo Sabres Los Angeles Kings St. Louis Blues Calgary Flames
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	8th overall, 1981 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	1981–2000
Medal record Representing  Canada Men's ice hockey Canada Cup Gold 1984 Canada Gold 1987 Canada World Championships Silver 1989 Sweden

Grant Scott Fuhr (born September 28, 1962) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and was a goaltending coach for the Arizona Coyotes. Fuhr is famous for playing with the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s, where he helped them win the Stanley Cup five times.

He was chosen for the NHL All-Star team six times. In 2003, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2017, Fuhr was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. He was the first Black ice hockey player to win the Stanley Cup and the first to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Growing Up in Alberta

Grant Fuhr's parents were from different backgrounds. One was Afro-Canadian, and the other was from the Enoch Cree Nation. He was adopted by Betty Wheeler and Robert Fuhr. Grant grew up in Spruce Grove, Alberta, which is west of Edmonton.

In the mid-1970s, Fuhr played hockey for the Enoch Tomahawks team. His mother had family ties to the Enoch Cree Nation.

Joining the WHL

In 1979, when he was 16, Fuhr joined the Victoria Cougars in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had two excellent seasons in Victoria. His team won the league championship and went to the Memorial Cup in 1981. Because of his great play, the Edmonton Oilers drafted him eighth overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft on June 10, 1981.

Playing Career Highlights

Edmonton Oilers Era (1981–1991)

Fuhr played ten seasons for the Oilers. He formed a strong goaltending team first with Andy Moog and then with Bill Ranford. Together, they helped the Oilers win the Stanley Cup four times in five seasons, from 1984 to 1988.

In the 1983 playoffs, Andy Moog was the starting goalie. He helped the Oilers reach their first Stanley Cup Finals. The next year, in 1984, Fuhr became the main goalie for the playoffs. He got injured in the third game of the Stanley Cup Finals, but Moog stepped in and helped the Oilers win the series. After that, Fuhr remained the top goaltender.

In 1987, Fuhr played for the NHL All-Stars in a special series against the Soviet National Team. In the 1987-88 season, Fuhr helped Canada win the 1987 Canada Cup. He played in 75 regular season games and 19 playoff games that year. He won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender. Many people called him "the best goaltender in the world" during this time.

On January 28, 1989, Fuhr achieved his 200th career win. He briefly retired from the Oilers in June 1989 but returned in August.

Later Career (1991–2000)

On September 19, 1991, Fuhr was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a season and a half, he was traded again to the Buffalo Sabres in February 1993.

In Buffalo, he helped the Sabres win a big playoff series against the Boston Bruins. He also helped teach the younger goalie, Dominik Hašek. In the 1993-94 season, Fuhr and Hašek shared goaltending duties. They won the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the league.

Fuhr was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in February 1995, where he played with Wayne Gretzky again.

His career saw a big comeback when he joined the St. Louis Blues in July 1995. He played 79 games that season, including 76 in a row, which were NHL records. On November 30, 1995, Fuhr got his 300th career win. Fuhr and Gretzky became teammates for the third time when Gretzky joined the Blues in February 1996.

Fuhr got a knee injury in the 1996 playoffs. He never fully recovered from this injury. After the Blues signed a new goalie, Fuhr was traded to the Calgary Flames in September 1999. He helped mentor the young goalies there. On October 22, 1999, he earned his 400th career win. On April 5, 2000, Fuhr announced he would retire after the 1999-2000 season. He officially retired on September 6, 2000.

International Play

Fuhr played for Team Canada in the 1984 Canada Cup, but he had limited playing time due to an injury. He was chosen again for the 1987 Canada Cup. Here, he showed he was one of the best goalies by making many saves against the strong Soviet Union team. After the Oilers were out of the 1989 playoffs, Grant also played for Team Canada at the 1989 World Ice Hockey Championships, where he won a silver medal.

After Playing Hockey

Grant Fuhr during the Farewell of Rexall Place (2016)

Fuhr became the goaltending coach for the Phoenix Coyotes in July 2004. He stayed in that role until 2009. He also coached for the Calgary Flames from 2000 to 2002.

In 2015, Fuhr worked with Bruce Dowbiggin on his biography, Grant Fuhr: The Story of a Hockey Legend.

In 2022, Fuhr started working in radio and television for the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He also joined 3ICE, a 3-on-3 professional ice hockey league, as a coach.

Personal Life

Grant Fuhr married Lisa Cavanaugh in the Cayman Islands on September 14, 2014. He has four children from earlier marriages and a step-daughter.

Fuhr enjoys playing golf. He often competes in the American Century Championship. This is a yearly golf competition for sports and entertainment celebrities. It takes place at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course near Lake Tahoe.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Awards and Honours

• In 1998, he was ranked number 70 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
• His jersey number 31 was retired by the Edmonton Oilers on October 9, 2003.
• He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
• He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
• He was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017.

Hall of Fame Induction

Grant Fuhr was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 2, 2003. Wayne Gretzky has often said that he believes Fuhr is the greatest goaltender in NHL history.

Records Set by Grant Fuhr

• Holds the NHL record for most assists and points by a goaltender in regular season and playoffs combined – 61.
• Holds the NHL record for the longest undefeated streak by a goaltender in his first NHL season – 23 games in 1981–82.
• Holds the NHL record for most assists in a single season by a goaltender – 14 in 1983–84.
• Holds the NHL record for most games played by a goaltender in a single season – 79 in 1995–96.
• Holds the NHL record for most consecutive appearances in a single season by a goaltender – 76 in 1996.

See also

In Spanish: Grant Fuhr para niños

• List of black NHL players
• List of NHL goaltenders with 300 wins