Tom Barrasso facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Barrasso
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2023
Barrasso (right) in 2008
Born	(1965-03-31) March 31, 1965 (age 60) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Right
Played for	Buffalo Sabres Pittsburgh Penguins Ottawa Senators Carolina Hurricanes Toronto Maple Leafs St. Louis Blues
National team	United States
NHL Draft	5th overall, 1983 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	1983–2002

Thomas Patrick Barrasso (born March 31, 1965) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 18 seasons. Barrasso started his NHL journey with the Buffalo Sabres. They picked him fifth overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft right out of high school.

In 1988, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is where he played most of his career and is best remembered. Barrasso spent parts of 12 seasons with the Penguins. He helped them win the Stanley Cup twice, in 1991 and 1992. After playing for the Ottawa Senators in 2000, he took a season off. His last two seasons were split between the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues. Barrasso was honored in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. He was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023.

After retiring as a player, Barrasso became an ice hockey coach. He coached for the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL. In 2012, he joined Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In 2016, he became head coach for Asiago Hockey in Italy. He led them to win the league championship in 2017–18. In October 2018, Barrasso coached the EIHL's Sheffield Steelers for a year.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting Out in Hockey

Barrasso grew up in Stow, Massachusetts. He played ice hockey on an outdoor rink. He started playing goalie at age five. As a teenager, he played for Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. He played with future NHL players like Bob Sweeney and Jeff Norton.

Many thought Barrasso was one of the most promising American goalies ever. The Buffalo Sabres drafted him fifth overall in 1983. He went straight from high school to the NHL. He did not play college hockey. When he debuted on October 5, 1983, he was the youngest goalie to win an NHL game in nearly 40 years. In his first season, he won two big awards: the Calder Memorial Trophy (best rookie) and the Vezina Trophy (best goalie). He was only the third player to win both in the same year.

Winning with the Pittsburgh Penguins

On November 12, 1988, the Sabres traded Barrasso to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992. His strong play during these championships earned him the nickname "money goalie."

In later years, Barrasso missed almost two full seasons due to injuries. But he always came back strong. In 1997, he became the first American goalie to reach 300 NHL wins. He was a very determined player. His jersey number 35 has not been retired by the Penguins. Only a few special players like Mario Lemieux have had their jerseys retired.

Final Seasons in the NHL

In March 2000, Barrasso was traded to the Ottawa Senators. He played seven games for them. He also played in the playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs. After the playoffs, his contract ended.

Barrasso did not play during the 2000–01 season. He took time off to be with his family. His daughter had been diagnosed with cancer, and his father passed away from cancer. After his daughter's health improved, Barrasso returned to hockey. He signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 17, 2001. That season, he also won a Silver medal with Team USA at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

On March 14, 2002, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played only four games for Toronto. After the season, he became a free agent. He then signed with the St. Louis Blues on November 4, 2002. He played only six games for the Blues. On June 19, 2003, Barrasso announced his retirement from hockey. He signed a special one-day contract with Pittsburgh to retire as a Penguin.

Hockey Hall of Fame Recognition

In 2023, Barrasso was chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was formally inducted in November 2023. Many people felt he deserved to be in the Hall of Fame earlier. He had great stats and achievements.

International Hockey Play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Silver	2002 Salt Lake City

Barrasso won a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He played for the U.S. national men's ice hockey team. He played in one game, an 8–1 win against Belarus.

He had planned to play in the 1984 Winter Olympics. But he chose to start his professional career instead. He left the Olympic team in September 1983 to sign with the Sabres. He first played for Team USA at the 1984 Canada Cup when he was 19. He also played in the 1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, the 1986 World Ice Hockey Championships, and the 1987 Canada Cup.

Coaching Career

Barrasso was a goaltending coach for the Carolina Hurricanes from 2007 to 2009. He then became an assistant coach until 2011. In the 2012–13 season, he moved to Russia. He became an assistant coach for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL.

In 2015, he coached Valpellice in Italy. His team won the Coppa Italia. He then moved to Asiago as head coach. Barrasso was named head coach of the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL in October 2018. On June 26, 2021, Barrasso became head coach of HC Varese in the IHL.

On November 26, 2024, Tom Barrasso was announced as the new Head Coach of the Hannover Scorpions. This ice hockey team plays in Germany's third-tier league. He was replaced by Kevin Gaudet on January 6, 2025.

Personal Life and Charity Work

Barrasso is married to Megan. They have three daughters: Ashley, Kelsey, and Mallory. In the early 1990s, Barrasso started the Ashley Barrasso Cancer Research Fund. He did this after his oldest daughter, Ashley, survived neuroblastoma cancer. Ashley was first diagnosed at age two. She beat it with a bone marrow transplant at age four. The cancer returned in June 2000. Doctors determined in April 2000 that Ashley would recover.

Barrasso's father, Tom Barrasso Sr., was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April 1999. He passed away in January 2000. These events made Barrasso lose interest in hockey. He chose not to play in the 2000–01 season. Barrasso has since participated in charity events. These events raise money for cancer research.

Career Records and Achievements

Barrasso holds several impressive records:

• Most NHL assists by a goaltender (career) – 48
• Most NHL points by a goaltender (career) – 48
• Shares record for most consecutive wins in one NHL regular season – 14 (March 9, 1993, to April 9, 1993)
• Most consecutive NHL playoff wins – 14 (May 9, 1992, to April 22, 1993)
• Shares record for most consecutive wins in one NHL playoff season – 11 in 1992
• Shares record for most wins in one NHL playoff season – 16 (1992)
• Most playoff wins by an American goaltender – 61

Awards and Honors

• 1984 – Calder Memorial Trophy (Top rookie in NHL)
• 1984 – Vezina Trophy (Top goaltender in NHL)
• 1984 – NHL First All-Star Team
• 1985 – NHL Second All-Star Team
• 1985 – William M. Jennings Trophy (Team with fewest goals allowed – shared with Bob Sauve)
• 1985 – Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1991 – Stanley Cup champion (Pittsburgh Penguins)
• 1992 – Stanley Cup champion (Pittsburgh Penguins)
• 1993 – NHL Second All-Star Team
• 2003 – Member of the Pittsburgh Penguins Ring of Honor
• 2007 – Inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
• 2009 – Inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
• 2015 – Coppa Italia champion, (Hockey Club Valpellice)
• 2018 – Alps Hockey League champion, (Asiago Hockey AS)
• 2023 – Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame

Career Achievements

• #3 in career NHL wins by a left-handed goaltender
• #4 in career NHL wins by a US-born Goaltender (369)
• #15 in career playoff wins (61, tied with Henrik Lundqvist).
• #20 all time in career regular season saves (19695).
• #21 career regular season wins (369).
• #1 points scored by an NHL goaltender (48).

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International Statistics