Ron Hextall

Ronald ("Ron") Hextall is a former professional ice hockey player. He was born May 3, 1964 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada and is the grandson of Hall-of-Famer Bryan Hextall. He played the position of goaltender.

Related Topics:
Ice hockey - May 3 - 1964 - Brandon, Manitoba - Canada - Bryan Hextall - Goaltender

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Ron Hextall spent the bulk of his career in two stints with the Philadelphia Flyers (1986-87 to 1992 and 1994-95 to 1998-99). He is considered responsible for revolutionizing the position of goaltender, leaving the goal mouth regularly to play the puck with his stick. This style is now commonplace in hockey today, with goaltenders like Martin Brodeur perfecting the art of more proactive goaltending.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia Flyers - Goaltender - Martin Brodeur

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Hextall was known, too, for his great temper, something which made him a fan-favorite in the city of Philadelphia.

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On December 8, 1987, Hextall became the first goalie in NHL history to score a goal by actually putting the puck in the net. (On November 28, 1979, Billy Smith of the NHL's New York Islanders was the first goalie to score a goal only due to the fact he was the last player of the opposite team to touch the puck before it went into the net.) Incredibly, Hextall replicated the feat in the playoffs. On April 11, 1989, he again fired the puck into the open net, against Washington, thus also becoming the first goalie to score in a playoff game. Ron Hextall was also the winner of the Vezina Trophy (NHL's Best Goaltender) and the Conn Smythe Trophy (NHL Playoff MVP) in 1987 as a rookie for the Philadelphia Flyers, even though the Flyers did not win the Stanley Cup that year.

Related Topics:
December 8 - 1987 - NHL - November 28 - 1979 - Billy Smith - New York Islanders - April 11 - 1989 - Washington - Vezina Trophy - Conn Smythe Trophy - Philadelphia Flyers - Stanley Cup

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