John Grahame
Encyclopedia
John Gillies Mark Grahame (born August 31, 1975 in Denver, Colorado
) is currently the goaltender coach for the Sioux City Musketeers
of the USHL
and is a former professional ice hockey
goaltender
who played most recently for the Lake Erie Monsters
of the American Hockey League
.
before he was drafted in the ninth round, 229th overall by the Boston Bruins
in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
. He then elected to play three years of collegiate hockey with Lake Superior State of the CCHA
.
John turned professional in the 1997–98
season, and was assigned by the Bruins to start for the Providence Bruins
. In his second pro year, Grahame returned to the P-Bruins and took the team to the playoffs, leading them to victory in the Calder Cup
.
In the 1999–2000 campaign, Grahame started the season back in Providence, but was called up to the Boston Bruins mid-season to backup Byron Dafoe
in the Bruins' net, where he played credibly and was second in balloting to the league's all-rookie team. However, a broken ankle in the 2000 offseason took a long time to heal, and Grahame struggled to recapture his form. He played for the next three seasons in Boston before being traded midseason in 2003 to the Tampa Bay Lightning
. The following season, Grahame returned to standard, having the best season of his career as a backup for the Stanley Cup
-winning club. Grahame's presence allowed starter Nikolai Khabibulin
to get rest when he needed.
He became Tampa Bay's starting goalie in the 2005–06 NHL season, but was criticized publicly by head coach John Tortorella
after consecutive poor starts which contributed to the Lightning being eliminated in the first round of the Playoffs.
Grahame signed a two-year, $2.8 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes
on July 1, 2006. \ He was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes on January 4, 2008. The Hurricanes called up Michael Leighton
from the team's AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats
, to replace him as the team's backup goaltender after Grahame began the season with a 4–6–1 record. The Hurricanes recalled Grahame on January 21.
During this time, Grahame played a single game for the United States Olympic team in the 2006 Winter Olympics
, and also was the starter for the United States National Team in the 2007 World Championships.
In May 2008, after the conclusion of the Hurricanes' season, as a free agent, Grahame signed with Avangard Omsk
of the new Kontinental Hockey League.
On December 12, 2009, Grahame signed a professional tryout contract for the 2009–10
season with the Philadelphia Flyers
AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms
. After playing in 12 games with the Phantoms, Grahame signed a contract with the Colorado Avalanche
and was assigned to the injury-hit Lake Erie Monsters on March 3, 2010. He played in 14 games, recording only 4 wins, with the Monsters to finish the season and was re-signed on a one-year contract by the Avalanche on July 2, 2010.
He was brought up to the Avalanche on February 11, 2011, after Craig Anderson (ice hockey) went back to Denver for personal reasons. He sat on the bench serving as Peter Budaj
's backup for two contests and did not see any playing time.
At the end of the 2010-11 season he retired after the Monsters made it to the playoffs for the first time in their 4 year history.
of the USHL
, a team that he had previously played for in his career.
, who served as assistant athletic director at the University of Denver
. His father was traded for the draft pick used to select John Grahame's future teammate Ray Bourque
. His mother, Charlotte
was a member of the front office of the Colorado Avalanche
that won the Stanley Cup. They are the first, and as of yet, only mother/son duo to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
) is currently the goaltender coach for the Sioux City Musketeers
Sioux City Musketeers
The Sioux City Musketeers is a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team playing in the West Division of the United States Hockey League .The Musketeers' home ice is Tyson Events Center.The Musketeers have had 15 players reach the NHL...
of the USHL
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
and is a former professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who played most recently for the Lake Erie Monsters
Lake Erie Monsters
The Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
.
Playing career
Grahame played in the USHL for the Sioux City MusketeersSioux City Musketeers
The Sioux City Musketeers is a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team playing in the West Division of the United States Hockey League .The Musketeers' home ice is Tyson Events Center.The Musketeers have had 15 players reach the NHL...
before he was drafted in the ninth round, 229th overall by the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
1994 NHL Entry Draft
The 1994 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Hartford Civic Center on June 28–29, 1994.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
. He then elected to play three years of collegiate hockey with Lake Superior State of the CCHA
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
.
John turned professional in the 1997–98
1997–98 AHL season
The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western...
season, and was assigned by the Bruins to start for the Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
. In his second pro year, Grahame returned to the P-Bruins and took the team to the playoffs, leading them to victory in the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
.
In the 1999–2000 campaign, Grahame started the season back in Providence, but was called up to the Boston Bruins mid-season to backup Byron Dafoe
Byron Dafoe
Byron Dafoe is a British-Canadian former National Hockey League goaltender. He was born in Worthing, Sussex, England and moved to Duncan, British Columbia with his mother at the age of two months old. Between 1992 and 2004, he played for the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings...
in the Bruins' net, where he played credibly and was second in balloting to the league's all-rookie team. However, a broken ankle in the 2000 offseason took a long time to heal, and Grahame struggled to recapture his form. He played for the next three seasons in Boston before being traded midseason in 2003 to the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. The following season, Grahame returned to standard, having the best season of his career as a backup for the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
-winning club. Grahame's presence allowed starter Nikolai Khabibulin
Nikolai Khabibulin
Nikolai Ivanovich Khabibulin is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...
to get rest when he needed.
He became Tampa Bay's starting goalie in the 2005–06 NHL season, but was criticized publicly by head coach John Tortorella
John Tortorella
Jonathan "John" Tortorella is an American professional ice hockey coach and is now the head coach of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He is perhaps best known for his tenure as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning when he led the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship...
after consecutive poor starts which contributed to the Lightning being eliminated in the first round of the Playoffs.
Grahame signed a two-year, $2.8 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
on July 1, 2006. \ He was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes on January 4, 2008. The Hurricanes called up Michael Leighton
Michael Leighton
Michael "Mike" Leighton is a professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
from the team's AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
, to replace him as the team's backup goaltender after Grahame began the season with a 4–6–1 record. The Hurricanes recalled Grahame on January 21.
During this time, Grahame played a single game for the United States Olympic team in the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
, and also was the starter for the United States National Team in the 2007 World Championships.
In May 2008, after the conclusion of the Hurricanes' season, as a free agent, Grahame signed with Avangard Omsk
Avangard Omsk
Avangard Omsk are a professional ice hockey team from Siberia based in the city of Omsk, Russia. They are members of the Chernyshev Division of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Overview:...
of the new Kontinental Hockey League.
On December 12, 2009, Grahame signed a professional tryout contract for the 2009–10
2009–10 AHL season
The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11...
season with the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms
Adirondack Phantoms
The Adirondack Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League , who began play in the 2009–10 AHL season. The Phantoms are based in Glens Falls, New York, playing home games at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Phantoms are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers...
. After playing in 12 games with the Phantoms, Grahame signed a contract with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
and was assigned to the injury-hit Lake Erie Monsters on March 3, 2010. He played in 14 games, recording only 4 wins, with the Monsters to finish the season and was re-signed on a one-year contract by the Avalanche on July 2, 2010.
He was brought up to the Avalanche on February 11, 2011, after Craig Anderson (ice hockey) went back to Denver for personal reasons. He sat on the bench serving as Peter Budaj
Peter Budaj
Peter Budaj is a Slovak professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
's backup for two contests and did not see any playing time.
At the end of the 2010-11 season he retired after the Monsters made it to the playoffs for the first time in their 4 year history.
Coaching career
On September 15, 2011, it was announced the Grahame would become the goaltending coach for the Sioux City MusketeersSioux City Musketeers
The Sioux City Musketeers is a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team playing in the West Division of the United States Hockey League .The Musketeers' home ice is Tyson Events Center.The Musketeers have had 15 players reach the NHL...
of the USHL
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
, a team that he had previously played for in his career.
Personal
He is the son of retired professional goaltender Ron GrahameRon Grahame
Ronald Ian Grahame is a former professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association....
, who served as assistant athletic director at the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
. His father was traded for the draft pick used to select John Grahame's future teammate Ray Bourque
Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean "Ray" Bourque is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He currently holds records for most goals, assists and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League . Bourque has become near-synonymous with the Boston Bruins franchise, for which he played 21 seasons and...
. His mother, Charlotte
Charlotte Grahame
Charlotte Grahame is the Executive Director of Hockey Administration for the Colorado Avalanche.As a member of the Colorado executive management during the 2001, when Colorado won the Stanley Cup, her name was engraved on it. Her son, John Grahame had his name engraved on the Cup as a member of...
was a member of the front office of the Colorado Avalanche
2000–01 Colorado Avalanche season
The 2000–01 Colorado Avalanche season was the franchise's 29th season, 22nd in the National Hockey League, and sixth as the Colorado Avalanche...
that won the Stanley Cup. They are the first, and as of yet, only mother/son duo to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T/OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
SV% Save percentage Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops... |
GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 1994–95 | Lake Superior | CCHA Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship... |
28 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 1616 | 75 | 2 | 2.78 | .887 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Lake Superior | CCHA | 29 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 1658 | 67 | 2 | 2.42 | .904 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Lake Superior | CCHA | 37 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 2197 | 134 | 3 | 3.66 | .876 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Providence Bruins Providence Bruins The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
55 | 15 | 31 | 4 | 3053 | 164 | 3 | 3.22 | .898 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 1998–99 AHL season The 1998–99 AHL season was the 63rd season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Providence Bruins finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
Providence Bruins | AHL | 48 | 37 | 9 | 1 | 2771 | 134 | 3 | 2.90 | .896 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 1209 | 48 | 1 | 2.38 | .912 | ||
| 1999–2000 1999–2000 AHL season The 1999–2000 AHL season was the 64th season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hartford Wolf Pack finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
Providence Bruins | AHL | 27 | 11 | 13 | 2 | 1528 | 86 | 1 | 3.38 | .902 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 839 | 35 | 0 | 2.50 | .917 | ||
| 1999–2000 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL | 24 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 1344 | 55 | 2 | 2.46 | .910 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 2000–01 AHL season The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty... |
Providence Bruins | AHL | 16 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 893 | 47 | 0 | 3.16 | .899 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 1043 | 46 | 2 | 2.65 | .923 | ||
| 2000–01 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 10 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 471 | 28 | 0 | 3.57 | .867 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 19 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1079 | 52 | 1 | 2.89 | .897 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 23 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 1352 | 61 | 1 | 2.71 | .902 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the... |
NHL | 17 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 914 | 34 | 2 | 2.23 | .920 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 111 | 2 | 0 | 1.08 | .958 | ||
| 2003–04 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 29 | 18 | 9 | 1 | 1688 | 58 | 1 | 2.06 | .913 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 3.53 | .882 | ||
| 2005–06 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 57 | 29 | 22 | 1 | 3152 | 161 | 5 | 3.06 | .889 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 188 | 15 | 0 | 4.79 | .847 | ||
| 2006–07 | Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... |
NHL | 28 | 10 | 13 | 2 | 1515 | 72 | 0 | 2.85 | .897 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 17 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 848 | 53 | 0 | 3.75 | .875 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 415 | 21 | 0 | 3.04 | .912 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 KHL season The 2008–09 KHL season was the inaugural season of the Kontinental Hockey League. It started on September 2, 2008, and finished on February 26, 2009... |
Avangard Omsk Avangard Omsk Avangard Omsk are a professional ice hockey team from Siberia based in the city of Omsk, Russia. They are members of the Chernyshev Division of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Overview:... |
KHL | 20 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 1195 | 57 | 3 | 2.86 | .896 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
Adirondack Phantoms Adirondack Phantoms The Adirondack Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League , who began play in the 2009–10 AHL season. The Phantoms are based in Glens Falls, New York, playing home games at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The Phantoms are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers... |
AHL | 12 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 717 | 34 | 0 | 2.84 | .896 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Lake Erie Monsters Lake Erie Monsters The Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio... |
AHL | 14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 837 | 48 | 0 | 3.44 | .883 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 AHL season The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011... |
Lake Erie Monsters | AHL | 34 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 2009 | 80 | 1 | 2.39 | .911 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 303 | 13 | 0 | 2.58 | .918 | ||
| NHL totals | 224 | 97 | 86 | 18 | 12363 | 574 | 12 | 2.79 | .898 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 333 | 19 | 0 | 3.42 | .883 | ||||