Curtis Joseph Set To Retire From The NHL

Word is being spread that goaltender Curtis Joseph is going to retire from professional hockey on Tuesday after 19 seasons. Joseph has the most career shutouts after New Jersey Devils Martin Brodeur for active goaltenders with 51, and is 4th alltime for career wins in the NHL with 445. He added 16 more shutouts in 133 playoff games.

Joseph, 42, hasn't appeared in any games this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his first stint with the Leafs in the late 90s up til 2002, Joseph was absolutely stellar, posting 4 seasons with 29 or more wins and garnering 3 nominations for the Vezina Trophy. All told, seven season with 30-plus wins.

Joseph, nicknamed Cujo broke into the NHL in 1989-90 with the St Louis Blues, playing there for 6 years before spending 3 with the Edmonton Oilers. He had perhaps the most success with the Leafs over the next 4 seasons before spending a couple of seasons Detroit, and Phoenix before coming back to Toronto as backup last season, appearing in 21 Leaf games.

Joseph was also backup to Brodeur on the 2002 gold medal winning Team Canada in Salt Lake City. Definitely one of the fan favorites and he will be missed.