Olaf Kölzig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olaf Kölzig |
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Kölzig with the Washington Capitals in 2007
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| Born | 6 April 1970 Johannesburg, South Africa |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 221 lb (100 kg; 15 st 11 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Washington Capitals Eisbären Berlin Tampa Bay Lightning |
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| National team |  Germany |
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| NHL Draft | 19th overall, 1989 Washington Capitals |
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| Playing career | 1989–2009 | ||
Olaf Kölzig (born 6 April 1970) is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He was born in South Africa but is German. He is now a goaltender coach and player development coach for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Kölzig played almost his entire 14-year NHL career with the Capitals. He played only eight games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. People often called him "Olie the Goalie".
Olaf Kölzig was born in South Africa to German parents. He grew up in different cities across Canada. His family moved to Union Bay, British Columbia, when he was a teenager. Kölzig never became a Canadian citizen. This allowed him to play for Germany in international games. He is one of the NHL's top goalies in many areas. He ranks high in career saves, wins, games played, and minutes played.
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Playing Career: Olaf Kölzig's Journey in Hockey
Olaf Kölzig started playing major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He played for the New Westminster Bruins and the Tri-City Americans. While with the Americans, he even had a fight on the ice with another goalie, Byron Dafoe. On November 29, 1989, Kölzig scored a goal while playing for Tri-City. This is very rare for a goalie!
The Washington Capitals chose Kölzig in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He played his first NHL game in the 1989–90 NHL season. However, he then spent several years playing in minor leagues. He played in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Baltimore Skipjacks, Rochester Americans, and Portland Pirates. He also played one year in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) for the Hampton Roads Admirals. In 1994, while with the Pirates, he won two important awards. He won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the AHL playoffs. He also won the Hap Holmes Memorial Award for being a top goalie.
Becoming a Star Goalie
During the 1995–96 NHL season, the Capitals called Kölzig up to the main team. He became the backup goalie for Jim Carey. For the 1996–97 NHL season, the Capitals got Bill Ranford. Kölzig stayed on as the backup. In the first game of the 1997-98 season, Ranford got hurt. Kölzig took over as the main goalie.
Kölzig played very well for the rest of that season. He won 33 games and had a low 2.20 goals against average. This means he let in very few goals per game. He helped the Capitals reach the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals. He was one of only 21 goalies in NHL history to get four shutouts in one postseason. A shutout means he didn't let any goals in during a game. Even with his great play, the Capitals lost the finals to the Detroit Red Wings.
He also played in the 1998 All-Star Game. He made 14 saves in that game. During the 2004–05 NHL lock-out, when NHL games were paused, he played for the German team Eisbären Berlin.
On February 11, 2006, Kölzig signed a new contract with the Capitals. In February 2007, he tore a ligament in his knee (MCL). Before this injury, Kölzig had rarely missed games.
Later Career and Retirement
The Capitals made it to the playoffs in 2008. Kölzig's team lost in seven games. A few weeks later, Kölzig said he would not return to the team.
On July 1, 2008, Kölzig became a free agent. He signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was the backup goalie for Mike Smith. When Kölzig returned to Washington D.C. to play against the Capitals, fans cheered loudly for him. A video was shown to honor his time with the team. On January 28, 2009, it was announced that Kölzig would miss the rest of the 2008–09 season. He had a serious arm injury.
Kölzig was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 4, 2009. This was part of a trade deal. Since he was already injured and his contract was ending, this trade helped Toronto get a draft pick.
On September 23, 2009, Kölzig announced he was retiring from the NHL. Later that year, Kölzig was added to the ECHL Hall of Fame. The Capitals have not given Kölzig's number 37 to any other player since he retired.
Personal Life: Beyond the Ice
In 2005, Kölzig and another former player, Stu Barnes, became part of a group that owned their old junior team, the Tri-City Americans. This helped make sure the team stayed in Kennewick, Washington.
Kölzig is also well-known for his work off the ice. He helped start "Athletes Against Autism" with other NHL players. This group helps raise awareness about autism and encourages more research. He also created the Carson Kolzig Foundation for Youth Autism. This foundation is named after his son, who has autism.
Because of his good work in the community, he received the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2006. This award is for players who show great leadership and do good things for their community. He was also named one of the "10 Washingtonians of the Year" in 2000. He is one of only four non-Canadian players to receive the NHL Foundation Player Award. This award also recognizes community service.
When he was growing up, Kölzig was a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
International Play: Representing Germany
Kölzig was the main goalie for the German Olympic team. He played in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. He had a very low 1.00 goals against average and won both his games. He also played for Germany in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. Kölzig was also the starting goalie for Germany at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
Awards and Achievements
As a player
- WHL West Second All-Star Team – 1989
- Jack A. Butterfield Trophy – 1994
- Hap Holmes Memorial Award – 1994 (with Byron Dafoe)
- NHL All-Star Game – 1998 and 2000
- Vezina Trophy – 2000 (Award for best goalie in the NHL)
- NHL First All-Star Team – 2000
- NHL Foundation Player Award – 2001 (Award for community service)
- DEL champion – 2004–05 (German League Champion)
- King Clancy Memorial Trophy – 2006 (Award for leadership and community service)
- One of Ten "Washingtonians of the Year" (from Washingtonian Magazine) – 2000
- ECHL Hall of Fame Inductee, Developmental Player – 2010
As a coach
Washington Capitals Records
These records are for goalies only with the Washington Capitals.
Career Records
- Most career games played (711).
- Most career wins (301).
- Most career losses (293).
- Most career ties (86).
- Most career minutes played (41,261).
- Most goals allowed (1,860).
- Most career shutouts (35).
- Most career points scored (17).
Regular Season Records
- Most games played in a season (73 in 2000) (Tied with Braden Holtby).
- Most minutes played in a season (4,371 in 2000).
- Most ties in a season (11 in 2000).
Playoffs Records
- Most career playoffs shutouts (6).
- Most career playoffs penalty minutes (12).
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% | ||
| 1987–88 | New Westminster Bruins | WHL | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | — | 2333 | 156 | 0 | 4.01 | — | 3 | 0 | 3 | 149 | 11 | 0 | 4.43 | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Tri-City Americans | WHL | 30 | 16 | 10 | 2 | — | 1671 | 97 | 1 | 3.48 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Tri-City Americans | WHL | 48 | 27 | 16 | 4 | — | 2504 | 187 | 1 | 4.48 | — | 6 | 4 | 0 | 318 | 27 | 0 | 5.09 | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 120 | 12 | 0 | 6.00 | .810 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Hampton Roads Admirals | ECHL | 21 | 11 | 9 | 1 | — | 1248 | 71 | 2 | 3.41 | .890 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 180 | 14 | 0 | 4.66 | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Baltimore Skipjacks | AHL | 26 | 10 | 12 | 1 | — | 1367 | 72 | 0 | 3.16 | .889 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Hampton Roads Admirals | ECHL | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 | — | 847 | 41 | 0 | 2.90 | .914 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Baltimore Skipjacks | AHL | 28 | 5 | 17 | 2 | — | 1503 | 105 | 1 | 4.19 | .878 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 49 | 25 | 16 | 4 | — | 2737 | 168 | 0 | 3.68 | .882 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 1040 | 61 | 0 | 3.52 | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 | 2 | 0 | 6.00 | .714 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Portland Pirates | AHL | 29 | 16 | 8 | 5 | — | 1725 | 88 | 3 | 3.06 | .906 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 1035 | 44 | 0 | 2.55 | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 224 | 20 | 0 | 5.36 | .844 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Portland Pirates | AHL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | 125 | 3 | 0 | 1.44 | .952 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 14 | 2 | 8 | 2 | — | 724 | 30 | 0 | 2.49 | .902 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 1.35 | .952 | ||
| 1995–96 | Portland Pirates | AHL | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 300 | 7 | 1 | 1.40 | .957 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 18 | 4 | 8 | 2 | — | 897 | 46 | 0 | 3.08 | .887 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 341 | 11 | 0 | 1.93 | .934 | ||
| 1996–97 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 29 | 8 | 15 | 4 | — | 1644 | 71 | 2 | 2.59 | .906 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 64 | 33 | 18 | 10 | — | 3788 | 139 | 5 | 2.20 | .920 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 1351 | 44 | 4 | 1.95 | .941 | ||
| 1998–99 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 64 | 26 | 31 | 3 | — | 3586 | 154 | 4 | 2.58 | .900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–2000 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 73 | 41 | 20 | 11 | — | 4371 | 163 | 5 | 2.24 | .917 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 284 | 16 | 0 | 3.38 | .845 | ||
| 2000–01 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 72 | 37 | 26 | 8 | — | 4279 | 177 | 5 | 2.48 | .909 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 375 | 14 | 1 | 2.24 | .908 | ||
| 2001–02 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 71 | 31 | 29 | 8 | — | 4131 | 192 | 6 | 2.79 | .903 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 66 | 33 | 25 | 6 | — | 3894 | 156 | 4 | 2.40 | .919 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 404 | 14 | 1 | 2.08 | .927 | ||
| 2003–04 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 63 | 19 | 35 | 9 | — | 3738 | 180 | 2 | 2.89 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Eisbären Berlin | DEL | 8 | — | — | — | — | 452 | 19 | 2 | 2.52 | .905 | 3 | — | — | 178 | 7 | 1 | 2.36 | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 59 | 20 | 28 | — | 11 | 3506 | 206 | 0 | 3.53 | .896 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 54 | 22 | 24 | — | 6 | 3184 | 159 | 1 | 3.00 | .910 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 54 | 25 | 21 | — | 6 | 3154 | 153 | 1 | 2.91 | .892 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 8 | 2 | 4 | — | 1 | 410 | 25 | 0 | 3.66 | .898 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 719 | 303 | 297 | 63 | 24 | 41,670 | 1,885 | 35 | 2.71 | .906 | 45 | 20 | 24 | 2,799 | 100 | 7 | 2.14 | .927 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Germany | WCH | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 5 | 0 | 6.67 | .886 | |
| 1997 | Germany | WC | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 199 | 13 | 0 | 3.92 | .891 | |
| 1998 | Germany | OLY | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 2 | 1 | 1.00 | .966 | |
| 2004 | Germany | WC | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 299 | 11 | 0 | 2.21 | .921 | |
| 2004 | Germany | WCH | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 180 | 10 | 0 | 3.34 | .905 | |
| 2006 | Germany | OLY | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 179 | 8 | 0 | 2.68 | .899 | |
| Senior totals | 18 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 1022 | 49 | 1 | 2.88 | .915 | |||
