13 Oldest Active Goalies in NHL

Goalies are the unsung heroes of hockey. A goalie is responsible for stopping the puck, and they do it with the most important tool in their arsenal: their body. An effective goalie must be able to read plays well, anticipate what comes next, and react accordingly. He’s not necessarily just looking at the play as it happens.

Because of the long careers of some of these old-timer goalies, they have learned how to minimize the risk of injury by using their minds more than their bodies.

They’ve been playing at the highest level of hockey for so long that they’re used to dealing with the physical demands of their profession and can anticipate what’s coming next.

With that being said, this article will introduce you to the list of the oldest active NHL goalies as of early 2023.

13. Sergei Bobrovsky (September 20, 1988 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

When Sergei Bobrovsky won 32 games in 2013–14 and 30 games in 2014–15, he became the first goalkeeper in Blue Jackets history to have back-to-back 30-win seasons. He had seven shutouts and a 41-17-5 record in 2016–17, establishing a Columbus Blue Jackets record for wins.

In another swiftly successful move, Bobrovsky was traded to the Blue Jackets on June 22, 2012, following his struggles in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs and eventual loss of his starting position during the 2011–12 season. In addition to winning the Vezina Award, Bobrovsky received the fifth-most votes for the NHL MVP award, the Hart Trophy.

On July 1, 2019, Bobrovsky agreed to a seven-year deal with the Florida Panthers.

Did You Know?

In two of his first three seasons in Columbus, Sergei Bobrovsky had stats like wins, save percentage, and shutouts in the top 10 in the NHL.

12. Mikko Koskinen (July 18, 1988 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Mikko Koskinen is a goaltender in the National League for HC Lugano, a professional goalie from Finland. Koskinen played for the Espoo Blues in the Finnish SM-liiga before being selected by the New York Islanders in the second round, 31st overall, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

The first Finnish player and goaltender to be chosen that year were him. He was the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s second-ranked European goalkeeper going into the draft.

Koskinen recently signed a two-year contract with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League following the conclusion of the 2021–22 NHL season and the expiration of his contract with the Oilers.

Did You Know?

In 2014 and 2016, Mikko Koskinen competed for Finland in the World Championships. He was awarded the top goalie in 2016 and was a member of the All-Star Team.

11. Semyon Varlamov (April 27, 1988 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Varlamov was 20 years old when he won his NHL appearance against the Montreal Canadiens on December 13, 2008, after receiving four calls from the Capitals to the American Hockey League. He stopped 31 of 32 shots.

Due to a hip injury, Varlamov could only play in 24 games during the 2016–17 season. In 2017–18, he had a record of 24–16–6, with a.920 save percentage, however, he suffered another injury and missed the postseason.

In 49 games, he had a record of 20-19-9, a 2.87 GAA, and a .909 save percentage while sharing the goaltender responsibilities with Phillipp Grubauer in 2018–19.

Varlamov began a four-year deal with the Islanders on July 1, 2019. When the 2019–20 league was suspended on March 12 because of coronavirus worries, he had a record of 19–14-6 with a 2.62 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 45 contests.

Did You Know?

The NHL has never had a goaltender born in Russia younger than Varlamov.

10. Alex Stalock (July 28, 1987- present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

The San Jose Sharks selected Stalock 112th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He represented the South St. Paul, Minnesota Packers in high school hockey.

Before beginning his professional hockey career, he spent three years playing collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he attended college.

He replaced Antti Niemi on his NHL debut on February 1, 2011. Stalock played 29 minutes and 47 seconds, allowing no goals on nine shots, and defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 5-3 to earn his first NHL victory.

Did You Know?

Stalock played in 28 games for Minnesota in 2017–18 as Devan Dubnyk’s backup. In 2019–20, he had a 20–win season for the first time.

9. Anton Khudobin (May 7, 1986 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

The well-traveled goalkeeper, Khudobin, has had a long NHL career, primarily as a backup, thanks to his agility. With the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he made the most of his opportunity to shine.

Khudobin was chosen by the Minnesota Wild in the seventh round of the 2004 NHL Draft while still playing in Russia.

In February 2010, he had his NHL debut with a two-game call-up with the Wild. The following season, he played four games for them before being dealt to the Boston Bruins.

Did You Know?

Khudobin participated in nine games for the Ducks before deciding to join the Bruins as a free agent on July 1, 2016. He spent two seasons in Boston after his comeback, then on July 1, 2018, he signed a free agency deal with the Stars, becoming a member of his sixth NHL franchise.

8. Cory Schneider (March 18, 1986 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Schneider represented Boston College for three years and was chosen for the 2005 Hockey East All-Rookie Team. In 2006, when he played 37 games, he was selected to the conference’s Second All-Star Team and the NCAA East First All-American Team.

Despite Schneider’s dependability and impressive statistics, the Devils and he did not reach the postseason until the 2017–18 year. He participated in three games in the Eastern Conference First Round series defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning despite missing a large portion of the second half due to a groin ailment. Schneider’s GAA was 1.78, and he save percentage was.950.

Schneider was only able to play in 26 NHL games in 2018–19 due to hip surgery following the season. He played parts of the 2019–20 AHL season in New Jersey and Binghamton.

Did You Know?

Schneider participated in the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2005 and 2006 on behalf of the United States.

7. Thomas Greiss (January 29, 1986 – present)

photo source: Wikipedia

German-born Thomas Greiss plays goalie for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He was chosen by the San Jose Sharks in the third round, 94th overall, at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

He has also participated in NHL games for the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Phoenix Coyotes.

Before agreeing to a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the St. Louis Blues on July 13, 2022, Greiss spent two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.

Did You Know?

At only 20 years old, Greiss was the youngest goalkeeper competing in the 2006 Winter Olympics when he secured a position on the German squad. Greiss made a noteworthy 35 saves against Canada throughout the competition.

6. Jonathan Quick (January 21, 1986 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Almost every key goalkeeper franchise record, whether it be a regular-season or postseason mark, is owned by Quick. The Milford, Connecticut native has also twice assisted Los Angeles in capturing the Stanley Cup.

The inaugural title was earned in 2012, the same year Quick participated in his first NHL All-Star Game, was chosen for the NHL Second All-Star Team, finished third in the voting for the Vezina Trophy, and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as season MVP.

Quick is a low-to-the-ice goaltender who challenges shooters and is very agile from post to post. Quick also played two seasons at the University of Massachusetts before being selected by Los Angeles in the third round of the 2005 NHL Draft.

Did You Know?

When Quick assisted the Los Angeles Kings in their 3-2 shootout victory over the Florida Panthers on March 13, 2022, he became the 30th goalkeeper in NHL history and the fourth American-born player to play 700 games.

5. Jaroslav Halak (May 13, 1985 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

In 2004–2005, Halak moved to the United States to play hockey for Lewiston in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He played his first season as a pro with Long Beach of the East Coast Hockey League, finishing 11-4-2 with a 2.05 GAA and the best.932 save % in the league before being promoted to Hamilton of the American Hockey League.

On July 28, 2021, Halak signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks following two more seasons as Rask’s backup in Boston. On July 13, 2022, he signed a one-year deal with the New York Rangers.

Did You Know?

At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Jaroslav Halak aided Slovakia to a fourth-place finish. He also participated in two Olympic games at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

4. Brian Elliott (April 9, 1985 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Brian Elliott, a goalie with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League, is Canadian-born. The Ottawa Senators made him the 291st pick in the ninth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was also an NHL All-Star in 2012 and 2015.

Elliott was born in Newmarket, Ontario, where he participated in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association for the York-Simcoe Express AAA and Newmarket Redmen AA teams. Elliott spent the 2002–03 Major Midget season back at York-Simcoe after being passed over by an OHL team in the 2001–02 draft.

Elliott was recruited by the Ajax Axemen of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League in 2002–2003, following a strong year in the Eastern AAA Hockey League.

Elliott is still lacking only a Stanley Cup, but many people, including him, were astonished when he played more than 500 matches in his career.

Did You Know?

Owen Scott, a legendary moose caller who passed away, instructed Brian Elliott in the art of moose calling. On the rear of his goalkeeper mask, he painted a moose as a homage to Scott.

3. Marc-Andre Fleury (November 28, 1984 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Marc-Andre Fleury first overall out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Fleury started playing four seasons of major junior hockey with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, winning the Telus Cup as the best defensive player in 2003 and the Mike Bossy Trophy as the league’s top prospect.

During his 13 seasons with the Penguins, which began in 2003-04, he helped the team win Stanley Cups several times.

In addition to the initials EFGT, which are a tribute to his four deceased grandparents, his goalie masks usually include a fleur-de-lis on the backing plate. The front artwork typically has flowers of some kind.

Did You Know?

Due to the English translation of his last name, Fleury is known by the nickname “Flower.”

2. Mike Smith (March 22, 1982 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Canadian ice hockey professional goaltender Mike Smith plays for the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers. Smith made his NHL appearance for the Dallas Stars against the Arizona Coyotes on October 21, 2006, after spending five seasons in the minor leagues. He made 22 stops to record a shutout and became the first goalkeeper in Dallas Stars’ history.

Smith competed as a reserve for one of Canada’s group games during the 2014 Winter Olympics, where they earned an Olympic gold. He was mostly the third-choice goaltender and saw little ice action.

As Canada’s starting goaltender in the 2015 World Championships, Smith also took home a gold medal.

Did You Know?

Mike Smith scored a goal in the 2013–14 season vs the Detroit Red Wings to become the 11th goalkeeper in NHL history to do so.

1. Craig Anderson (May 21, 1981 – present)

photo source: Wikimedia Commons via Jenn G

Craig Anderson is the oldest active goaltender playing in the NHL at the age of 41. The Calgary Flames first selected Anderson with the 73rd overall selection in the 2001 NHL Draft.

Since being chosen in the 2001 draft, Anderson has led many goalkeeper camps. He spends the summers teaching at Craig Anderson’s Goalie School in Chicago.

Anderson extended his career on July 28, 2021, when he agreed to a one-year, $750,000 deal with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent. He had a solid start, but a neck injury forced him to miss three months of action in November.

Did You Know?

Craig Anderson momentarily considered leaving the game during his difficult rehabilitation process, but he kept playing to reach his 300th NHL victory.