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by Digger

Dominik Hasek (43) will announce his retirement from the NHL on Monday. Hasek stood between the pipes for 735 regular season games, 389 wins and a lifetime 2.20 GAA. He will retire the way most athletes would choose... as a world champion. Dominik enjoyed another fine regular season (27-10, 2.14). His 2008 Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup even though he was replaced by a hot Chris Osgood in the post-season.

Career Highlights (1990-91 thru 2007-08):
#1 All Time Save % leader (.922)
81 Career Rular Season Shutouts
14 Playoff Shutouts (6 in 2001-02)
1.99 Career Playoff GAA
.923 Career Playoff Save %
6 Consecutive Regular Season Save % Leader
6 Time Vezina Trophy Winner
6 Time First Team All Star

Hasek was an instant NHL star. His North American career began during 1990-91 season after 20 years playing for Czechoslovakian teams. After coming into to the league as a Chicago Black Hawk, he later played for Buffalo before his stint in Detroit. In Buffalo he led his scoring challenged teams to the Stanley Cup (lost to Dallas 1998-99). Won the Stanley Cup in his first season for Detroit (01-02). Detroit never finished out of first during his tenure in goal.

Hasek played during an era of Hall of Fame to be goalies (Patrik Roy, Martin Brodeur, Ed Balfour, Chris Osgood). His acrobatic saves won many games during defensive slugfests. Highlight material saves every season. Hasek knows it's time and will depart on his own terms. He was one of the goalies emulated by other pipe minders trying to become an NHLer. Hasek, Roy and Brodeur have set the current bar for others to take aim. One can argue these three helped revolutionize the current wave of exceptional net minders now risiding in the NHL.