José Théodore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids José Théodore |
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Théodore with the Florida Panthers in 2012
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| Born | September 13, 1976 Laval, Quebec, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Right | ||
| Played for | Montreal Canadiens Djurgårdens IF Colorado Avalanche Washington Capitals Minnesota Wild Florida Panthers |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 44th overall, 1994 Montreal Canadiens |
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| Playing career | 1995–2013 | ||
José Nicolas Théodore (born September 13, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams. These include the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers.
Théodore played junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). There, he won a championship called the President's Cup in 1995. He also competed in the Memorial Cup tournament. In 1995, he won awards for being the best defensive player and the playoff MVP. He was also named a QMJHL All-Star twice.
The Montreal Canadiens picked Théodore 44th overall in the 1994 NHL Draft. He played eight seasons with the Canadiens. In 2002, he won two major awards: the Vezina Trophy (for best goalie) and the Hart Memorial Trophy (for the league's most valuable player). Later, in 2006, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. He also played for the Washington Capitals.
Internationally, Théodore won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 1996 World Junior Championships. He was named the best goaltender at that tournament. He also played for Canada's national team at the 2001 World Championships. He was a backup goalie for the team that won the 2004 World Cup.
Contents
José Théodore's Hockey Journey
Early Career in Junior Hockey
As a young player, Théodore participated in the 1990 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. This is a famous tournament for young hockey players.
He played major junior hockey in the QMJHL for four seasons. He played for the St-Jean Lynx and the Hull Olympiques. He started his first season in 1992–93 at age 16. He shared goaltending duties with another player.
In the 1993–94 season, he became the main starting goalie. That summer, the Montreal Canadiens drafted him 44th overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
Théodore returned to the Lynx for the 1994–95 season. However, he was traded early in the season to the Hull Olympiques. With his new team, he had a strong record. He won the Ford Cup as the top defensive player. He was also named to the QMJHL Second All-Star team.
Théodore then led the Olympiques to win the President's Cup, making them QMJHL champions. He also won the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the playoff MVP. The Olympiques earned a spot in the 1995 Memorial Cup tournament, but they finished in last place.
After the 1995 junior playoffs, Théodore played his first professional game. He joined the Fredericton Canadiens in the American Hockey League (AHL). This team was a minor league affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.
He played his fourth and final QMJHL season with the Olympiques in 1995–96. He was named to the Second All-Star team again. However, the Olympiques did not win the QMJHL title that year. Théodore was injured and missed the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Playing for the Montreal Canadiens
Théodore spent his first three professional seasons with the Montreal Canadiens organization. He split his time between the NHL team and their AHL affiliate, the Fredericton Canadiens.
He made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut in 1997. He won a thrilling game against the New Jersey Devils in triple overtime. He made 56 saves in that game. The next year, he played in three playoff games for the Canadiens.
Becoming a Star Goalie (1999–2004)
Théodore became a full-time NHL player in the 1999–2000 season. He shared starts with another goalie, Jeff Hackett. In his first full NHL season, Théodore had a good record and five shutouts. He became the main starting goalie the following season, 2000–01.
On January 2, 2001, Théodore made history. He became the sixth goaltender to directly score a goal. He shot the puck from his own end of the ice into an empty net. The opposing goalie had left the net for an extra attacker. He was the first NHL goalie to score a goal and get a shutout in the same game. The Canadiens won that game 3–0 against the New York Islanders.
Théodore became a top goaltender in the 2001–02 season. He won the Vezina Trophy for best goalie and the Hart Memorial Trophy for league MVP. He had a great record, a low goals-against average, and a high save percentage. He led the Canadiens into the playoffs. They were the eighth seed but surprised everyone by beating the top-ranked Boston Bruins. Fans in Montreal loved him. However, the Canadiens were eliminated in the next round.
In the 2002–03 season, Théodore's performance was not as strong. The Canadiens did not make the playoffs. He bounced back in the 2003–04 season with improved stats. During this season, he played in the 2003 Heritage Classic. This was the NHL's first outdoor hockey game. It was held at Commonwealth Stadium against the Edmonton Oilers. Montreal won the game. Théodore famously wore a warm hat (a toque) over his goalie helmet because it was so cold. He helped the Canadiens qualify for the 2004 playoffs. They again upset the Boston Bruins before being eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Théodore played overseas. He joined Djurgårdens IF in Sweden's top league, the Elitserien.
Time with the Colorado Avalanche
Théodore was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2006. He had been injured before the trade. He played in the last five regular season games for the Avalanche. His stats were not his best, but he was still named the starting goalie for the playoffs. The Avalanche were swept in the second round by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
His play did not improve much in the 2006–07 season. He lost his starting role to another goalie, Peter Budaj. However, he had a comeback season in 2007–08. He regained his starting position and had much better stats. He helped the Avalanche reach the second round of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They were swept by the Detroit Red Wings.
Playing for the Washington Capitals
On July 1, 2008, Théodore signed a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals. He took over as the main goalie for the team. The Capitals had many young talented players like Alexander Ovechkin. Théodore helped lead the Capitals to win their division. They entered the 2009 playoffs as the second seed. However, he was replaced by a backup goalie early in the playoffs.
In 2010, Théodore had a great record. He tied a Capitals team record for consecutive wins (10). He ended the season with a long streak of not losing in regulation time. He started the playoffs but was again replaced by a backup. The Capitals were eliminated in the first round by the Montreal Canadiens. Théodore won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2010. This award is given to a player who shows perseverance and dedication to hockey.
With the Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild needed a backup goalie for the 2010–11 season. Their regular backup was injured. So, the Wild signed Théodore to a one-year contract. He had a solid year, winning 15 games. This included his 250th career victory on January 2, 2011.
Final Years with the Florida Panthers
After a good year in Minnesota, Théodore signed a two-year contract with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2011. He became Florida's starting goaltender. On December 8, 2011, Théodore played in his 600th regular season NHL game. He recorded 22 wins that season. He helped the Panthers return to the playoffs for the first time since 2000. The Panthers lost in Game 7 of the first round in double overtime. He played one more year for Florida, but it was cut short by injury. He was not kept by the team in 2013.
International Play
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Canada |
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| Ice hockey | ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Gold | 1996 | |
Théodore played for Team Canada at the 1996 World Junior Championships. He had a perfect record with a low goals-against average. He was named Best Goaltender and a Tournament All-Star. Canada won its fourth straight gold medal at the tournament.
Théodore first played for Canada's men's team in the 2001 World Championship. He recorded two shutouts. However, Canada was defeated in the quarter-finals by the United States. In 2004, he was a backup goalie for Team Canada at the World Cup. Canada won the championship by defeating Finland in the final.
Personal Life
Théodore's father is of Macedonian descent, and his mother is of Spanish descent.
Théodore has a daughter, Romi, born in 2006, with his wife Stéphanie Cloutier.
Théodore started a charity called Saves for Kids. This charity helps the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C..
In 2013, TVA Sports announced that Théodore would join them as an analyst for their NHL coverage. In 2014, he also became a hockey columnist for the Journal de Montréal newspaper.
Career Statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 1991–92 | Richelieu Riverains | QAAA | 24 | 9 | 13 | 2 | — | 1440 | 96 | 0 | 3.99 | — | 5 | 2 | 3 | 295 | 26 | 0 | 5.28 | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Saint-Jean Lynx | QMJHL | 34 | 12 | 16 | 2 | — | 1775 | 111 | 0 | 3.78 | .871 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 175 | 11 | 0 | 3.77 | .911 | ||
| 1993–94 | Saint-Jean Lynx | QMJHL | 57 | 20 | 29 | 6 | — | 3225 | 194 | 0 | 3.61 | .882 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 296 | 18 | 0 | 3.65 | .910 | ||
| 1994–95 | Saint-Jean Lynx | QMJHL | 14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | — | 833 | 67 | 0 | 4.83 | .860 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 43 | 27 | 14 | 1 | — | 2521 | 126 | 5 | 3.00 | .901 | 21 | 15 | 6 | 1263 | 59 | 1 | 2.80 | .898 | ||
| 1994–95 | Hull Olympiques | MC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 3 | 150 | 13 | 0 | 5.20 | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 48 | 33 | 11 | 2 | — | 2807 | 158 | 0 | 3.38 | .889 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 299 | 20 | 0 | 4.01 | .905 | ||
| 1995–96 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 9 | 1 | 0 | 6.69 | .500 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 16 | 5 | 6 | 2 | — | 821 | 53 | 0 | 3.87 | .896 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 168 | 7 | 0 | 2.51 | .935 | ||
| 1996–97 | Fredericton Canadiens | AHL | 26 | 12 | 12 | 0 | — | 1469 | 87 | 0 | 3.55 | .898 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Fredericton Canadiens | AHL | 53 | 20 | 23 | 8 | — | 3053 | 145 | 2 | 2.85 | .918 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 237 | 13 | 0 | 3.28 | .901 | ||
| 1997–98 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | 120 | 1 | 0 | 0.50 | .971 | ||
| 1998–99 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 18 | 4 | 12 | 0 | — | 913 | 50 | 1 | 3.29 | .877 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Fredericton Canadiens | AHL | 27 | 12 | 13 | 2 | — | 1609 | 77 | 2 | 2.87 | .917 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 694 | 35 | 1 | 3.03 | .926 | ||
| 1999–00 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 30 | 12 | 13 | 2 | — | 1655 | 58 | 5 | 2.10 | .919 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 59 | 20 | 29 | 5 | — | 3298 | 141 | 2 | 2.57 | .909 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Quebec Citadelles | AHL | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 180 | 9 | 0 | 3.00 | .886 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 67 | 30 | 24 | 10 | — | 3864 | 136 | 7 | 2.11 | .931 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 686 | 35 | 0 | 3.06 | .915 | ||
| 2002–03 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 57 | 20 | 31 | 6 | — | 3419 | 165 | 2 | 2.90 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 67 | 33 | 28 | 5 | — | 3961 | 150 | 6 | 2.27 | .919 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 678 | 27 | 1 | 2.39 | .919 | ||
| 2004–05 | Djurgårdens IF | SEL | 17 | — | — | — | — | 1024 | 42 | 0 | 2.46 | .917 | 12 | — | — | 728 | 27 | 0 | 2.23 | .922 | ||
| 2005–06 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 38 | 17 | 15 | — | 5 | 2114 | 122 | 0 | 3.46 | .881 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 5 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 296 | 15 | 0 | 3.04 | .887 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 573 | 29 | 0 | 3.04 | .902 | ||
| 2006–07 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 33 | 13 | 15 | — | 1 | 1748 | 95 | 0 | 3.26 | .891 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 53 | 28 | 21 | — | 3 | 3028 | 123 | 3 | 2.44 | .910 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 514 | 27 | 0 | 3.15 | .906 | ||
| 2007–08 | Lake Erie Monsters | AHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 59 | 3 | 0 | 3.02 | .875 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 57 | 32 | 17 | — | 5 | 3287 | 157 | 2 | 2.87 | .900 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 97 | 6 | 0 | 3.72 | .818 | ||
| 2009–10 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 47 | 30 | 7 | — | 7 | 2586 | 121 | 1 | 2.81 | .911 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 81 | 5 | 0 | 3.70 | .875 | ||
| 2010–11 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 32 | 15 | 11 | — | 3 | 1793 | 81 | 1 | 2.71 | .916 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 53 | 22 | 16 | — | 11 | 3049 | 125 | 3 | 2.46 | .917 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 268 | 11 | 1 | 2.46 | .919 | ||
| 2012–13 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 15 | 4 | 6 | — | 3 | 766 | 42 | 0 | 3.29 | .893 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 643 | 286 | 254 | 30 | 39 | 36,607 | 1,635 | 33 | 2.68 | .909 | 56 | 21 | 30 | 3,185 | 148 | 2 | 2.79 | .912 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Canada | WJC | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 6 | 0 | 1.50 | ||
| 2000 | Canada | WC | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 478 | 13 | 2 | 1.63 | .932 | |
| 2004 | Canada | WCH | DNP | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Awards and Achievements
QMJHL Awards
- Named to the Second All-Star team in 1995 and 1996.
- Won the Ford Cup as top defensive player in 1995.
- Won the Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP in 1995.
- Won the President's Cup with the Hull Olympiques in 1995.
NHL Awards
- Named NHL Player of the Week in November 1999.
- Won the Vezina Trophy in 2002.
- Won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2002.
- Won the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award in 2002.
- Named to the Second All-Star team in 2002.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2002 and 2004.
- Won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2010.
International Awards
- Won a World Junior Championships gold medal with Team Canada in 1996.
- Named to the World Junior Championship All-Star team in 1996.
- Named the World Junior Championships' Best Goaltender in 1996.
See also
- List of Colorado Avalanche players
- List of Montreal Canadiens players
- List of goaltenders who have scored a goal in an NHL game
