Dwayne Roloson

Dwayne Roloson
Roloson with the Lightning in the 2011 playoffs.
Born	October 12, 1969 Simcoe, ON, CAN
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	Calgary Flames Buffalo Sabres Minnesota Wild Edmonton Oilers New York Islanders Tampa Bay Lightning
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1994–2012
Website	Dwayne Roloson Goalie Development

Albert Dwayne Roloson (born October 12, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and former goaltending coach of the Anaheim Ducks.^[1] Roloson played for the Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning during his National Hockey League career. He is often affectionately referred to by his fans as "Roli." Following Mark Recchi's retirement, Roloson became the oldest active NHL player and the last active NHL player to have been born in the 1960s.

Playing career

Pre-NHL

A Hobey Baker Award nominee and National Collegiate Athletic Association All-American while tending goal for University of Massachusetts Lowell, Roloson went undrafted after graduating. He was signed as a free agent by the Calgary Flames in 1994. After splitting time between the Flames and their American Hockey League counterpart, the Saint John Flames, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres to back up Dominik Hašek. Following two years with the Sabres, he was picked up in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Rather than joining the Blue Jackets, Roloson signed with the AHL team of the St. Louis Blues, the Worcester IceCats.

NHL career

Minnesota Wild

Roloson earned a roster spot with the Minnesota Wild in 2001. In the 2002–03 NHL season, Roloson shared netminding duties with Manny Fernandez as the Wild made their first ever appearance in the post-season, reaching the conference final. Despite splitting goaltending duties with Fernandez, Roloson earned his first All-Star appearance at age 34, appearing in the 2004 NHL All-Star Game with the Western Conference team. He also won the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award for having the NHL's best save percentage. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Roloson played with Finnish club, Lukko Rauma of the SM-liiga.

Edmonton Oilers

On March 8, 2006, Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for the first round pick that later became part of a trade for Pavol Demitra and a conditional draft pick that later became a third-rounder. Initially, Oilers General Manager Kevin Lowe was harshly criticized for the acquisition when Roloson struggled during the regular season. Lowe was criticized both for not acquiring a better goaltender, and also for surrendering a first-round draft pick to a divisional rival.

Roloson, playing for the Edmonton Oilers

Criticism was muted following sensational play by Roloson, backstopping the Oilers to the final of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had a record of 12–5 through the first three rounds, and along with Chris Pronger, was considered a front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Oilers were victorious in the finals.

However, during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Roloson suffered a third-degree MCL sprain of his right knee when Hurricanes forward Andrew Ladd was pushed into Roloson by a back-checking Oiler defenseman Marc-André Bergeron. Oilers coach Craig MacTavish announced that Roloson would not be able to continue in the series. It was also learned that he had hyper-extended his right elbow in the collision as well. Backup Ty Conklin replaced Roloson for the remainder of Game 1 and co-backup goalie Jussi Markkanen finished the series. The Oilers lost to the Hurricanes in seven games. Months of intense rehabilitation would follow in order to prepare Roloson for the 2006–07 season.

Roloson could have tested the unrestricted free agency market in the summer of 2006 but opted to re-sign with the Oilers on July 1, 2006 for a three-year term.

In the 2007–08 season, Roloson started out strong before seeing his record fall to 7–12–0. By early January 2008, backup goaltender Mathieu Garon had taken the reins as starter. It wasn't until March 13, 2008, that Roloson saw regular play, coming in as relief for an injured Garon, starting each subsequent game.

When the 2008–09 NHL season began, Roloson found himself vying for the starting goaltender position with Garon and upstart Jeff Deslauriers. For the beginning of the season, it appeared Garon was once again the starter but after some bad games Oiler coach Craig MacTavish decided to rotate Garon, Deslauriers and Roloson by playing whoever had the hot hand. Eventually, the team traded Garon to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Roloson claimed the starting spot. Down the stretch, he started 36 consecutive games as the Oilers fought for a playoff spot. During this time, he became the oldest goaltender to start more than 60 games in a single season. Though the Oilers ultimately did not qualify for the post-season, Roloson put up solid numbers, making upwards of 40 saves on a regular basis.

Roloson in goal for the Islanders during their 2009 home-opener.

New York Islanders

On July 1, 2009, Roloson became an unrestricted free agent. After rejecting a one-year, $3-million deal from Edmonton, Roloson signed a two-year, $5-million contract with the New York Islanders. The Islanders also signed Martin Biron, who was to serve as Roloson's backup goalie while Rick DiPietro was out on injured reserve. Roloson lost his first game as an Islander on October 3, 2009 in a shootout.

On November 23, 2009, Roloson made 58 saves on 61 shots in a 4–3 overtime win in Toronto. The 58 saves were a career high, and broke the Islander club record of 56, held by Rick DiPietro.^[2]

Tampa Bay Lightning

On January 1, 2011, Roloson was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenceman Ty Wishart.^[3] He won his first game with Tampa Bay in a 1-0 overtime shutout against the Washington Capitals. In his first 11 games with the Lightning, he recorded 4 shutouts. In April 2011, Roloson recorded a shutout in a first round playoff Game 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, making him the oldest goaltender to do so. Roloson and the Lightning ultimately advanced to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, where they were eliminated by the Boston Bruins in seven games. With his contract set to expire the Lightning re-signed Roloson to a one-year $3 million deal on June 29, 2011.^[4] He retired at season's end after the Lightning failed to qualify for the playoffs.

International play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing Canada
World Championships
	2009 Bern
	2007 Moscow
	1995 Sweden

Roloson was a member of the Canadian 2007 IIHF World Championship team that won gold in a 4–2 win against Finland in Moscow.

In 2009, Roloson (along with Oilers teammate Shawn Horcoff) was called upon for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships. He played in the finals against Russia, where Canada lost 2–1.^[5]

Post-playing career

Following his retirement from ice hockey, Roloson was immediately hired as a consultant to the Anaheim Ducks farm team the Norfolk Admirals. On June 10, 2013, Roloson was named as the replacement for Pete Peeters as the Anaheim Ducks goaltending consultant. On November 2, 2014, he suited up in an emergency role after Ducks goaltender John Gibson suffered an injury pregame and could not play the game against Colorado.^[6]

Personal life

Roloson and his wife, Melissa, who were married in 1999, have two sons, Ross and Brett. ^[7] He is close friends with Rob Blake, with whom he played hockey in high school in Simcoe, Ontario. He is also friends with Andrew Brunette

The Saint Paul Police Federation swore in Dwayne Roloson as an honorary police officer for his interest and involvement. The award is to recognize the contribution and support to local law enforcement. He teaches his goalie school with Wild goaltending coach Bob Mason.^[8]

While with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Roloson wore a mask that had a shamrock with the initials "KR" to remember Kelly Ryan, a 12-year-old player who attended several of Roloson's goalie camps. The shamrock also had the letters "TDLO", "The Dream Lives On."^[9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T/OT	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1987–88	Belleville Bobcats	MJBHL		21	9	6	1	1070	60	2	3.36	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	Thorold Blackhawks	GHJHL		27	15	6	4	1490	82	0	3.30	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	Thorold Blackhawks	GHJHL		30	18	8	1	1683	108	0	3.85	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1990–91	UMass Lowell	HE		15	5	9	0	823	63	0	4.59	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	UMass Lowell	HE		12	3	8	0	660	52	0	4.73	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	UMass Lowell	HE		39	20	17	2	2342	150	0	3.84	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	UMass Lowell	HE		40	23	10	7	2305	106	0	2.76	—		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Saint John Flames	AHL		46	16	21	8	2734	156	1	3.42	.900		5	1	4	299	13	0	2.60	.897
1995–96	Saint John Flames	AHL		67	33	22	11	4026	190	1	2.83	.905		16	10	6	1027	49	1	2.86	.908
1996–97	Saint John Flames	AHL		8	6	2	0	481	22	1	2.75	.910		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Calgary Flames	NHL		31	9	14	3	1618	78	0	2.89	.897		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Saint John Flames	AHL		4	3	0	1	245	8	0	1.96	.939		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Calgary Flames	NHL		39	11	16	8	2205	110	0	2.89	.897		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Rochester Americans	AHL		2	2	0	0	120	4	0	2.00	.922		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		18	6	8	2	911	42	1	2.77	.909		4	1	1	139	10	0	4.31	.870
1999–00	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		14	1	7	3	677	32	0	2.84	.884		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Worcester IceCats	AHL		52	32	15	5	3127	113	6	2.17	.929		11	6	5	697	23	1	1.97	.931
2001–02	Minnesota Wild	NHL		45	14	20	7	2506	112	5	2.68	.901		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Minnesota Wild	NHL		50	23	16	8	2945	98	4	2.00	.927		11	5	6	578	25	0	2.59	.903
2003–04	Minnesota Wild	NHL		48	19	18	11	2847	89	5	1.88	.933		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Lukko Rauma	SM-l		34	20	10	4	2048	70	4	2.05	.931		9	4	5	512	18	2	2.10	.941
2005–06	Minnesota Wild	NHL		24	6	17	1	1361	68	1	3.00	.910		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		19	8	7	5	1163	47	1	2.42	.905		18	12	5	1159	45	1	2.33	.927
2006–07	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		68	27	34	6	3931	180	4	2.75	.909		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		43	15	17	5	2340	119	0	3.05	.901		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		63	28	24	9	3597	166	1	2.77	.915		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	New York Islanders	NHL		50	23	18	7	2897	145	1	3.00	.907		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	New York Islanders	NHL		20	6	13	1	1206	53	0	2.64	.916		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		34	18	12	4	1993	85	4	2.56	.912		17	10	6	982	41	1	2.51	.924
2011–12	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		40	13	16	3	2099	128	1	3.66	.886		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				606	227	257	82	34,297	1552	33	2.72	.908		50	28	18	2860	121	2	2.54	.918
AHL totals				179	92	60	25	10,733	493	9	2.76	.911		32	17	15	2022	85	2	2.52	.904

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1995	Canada	WJC			—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1995	Canada	WC			—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007	Canada	WC			4	4	0	240	10	0	2.50	.910
2009	Canada	WC			5	3	2	304	11	0	2.17	.930
Senior totals					9	7	2	544	21	0	2.30	.920

Awards and honors

Award	Year
College
All-Hockey East First Team	1994
AHCA East First-Team All-American	1994
Hockey East All-Tournament Team	1994	[10]
AHL
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award	2001
First All-Star Team	2001
NHL
All-Star Game	2004
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award	2004

References

1. {{http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=891096}}
2. "Game Summary (Game 0329)". NHL.com. November 23, 2009.
3. "Islanders send Roloson to Lightning for Wishart". The Sports Network. 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
4. "Lightning Re-sign Goalie Roloson to One-Year, $3M Deal". The Sports Network. 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
5. "Russia golden again with 2-1 victory over Canada". ctv.ca. 2009-05-10. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
6. Peters, Chris (November 2, 2014). "Retired NHL G Dwayne Roloson steps in as Ducks' emergency backup". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
7. "Roli with it!". Canoe.ca. 2006-05-06. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
8. "Roloson Mason goalie schools". rolosonmasonschool.com. 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-04-15.
9. "For Lightning Roloson, boys short story melts ice". tbo.com. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
10. "2013-14 Hockey East Media Guide". Hockey East. Retrieved 2014-05-19.

External links

• Dwayne Roloson's player profile at NHL.com
• Dwayne Roloson's player profile at hockeygoalies.org
• Dwayne Roloson's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Roloson Mason Goalie Schools