Bill Ranford
| Bill Ranford | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
December 14, 1966 Brandon, Manitoba | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Played for |
Boston Bruins Edmonton Oilers Washington Capitals Tampa Bay Lightning Detroit Red Wings | ||
| NHL draft |
Rnd 3, 52nd overall, 1985 Boston Bruins | ||
| Playing career | 1985–2000 | ||
William Edward Ranford, better known as Bill Ranford (born December 14, 1966 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada) is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He graduated from New Westminster Secondary School in 1976 [1]. He was selected in the third round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, 52nd overall, by the Boston Bruins. Over the course of fifteen NHL seasons, Ranford would play with Boston, the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Detroit Red Wings, winning two Stanley Cups, a Canada Cup, and the 1994 Hockey World Championships while playing for Canada.
Pre-NHL career
Ranford spent his junior career with the New Westminster Bruins, seeing his first NHL start during the 1985-86 NHL season. To start the next year, Boston assigned him to the Moncton Golden Flames of the AHL, where he managed to stand out and play just three games before spending the rest of the year with Boston. Following a trade to the Oilers, he saw most of one season with the AHL's Maine Mariners, but that would be the last time he before would be sent to the majors.
NHL career
Ranford won his first Stanley Cup in 1988, as the backup to Grant Fuhr. However, two years later, despite constant comparisons to the injured Fuhr, Ranford emerged as a first-rate goaltender, leading the Oilers to the Stanley Cup and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) in the process. Mark Messier himself often maintained that Bill's motivational plays were the source of much of the oiler's stylish and innovative play. It was the last cup that the Edmonton Oilers dynasty would win. Ranford went on to play the next six seasons in Edmonton, before being dealt back to Boston in exchange for prospects.
After less than two seasons in Boston, Ranford was dealt to Washington, and played for three different teams over the next two seasons. His final year, 1999-00, Ranford returned to Edmonton and played as the backup before announcing his retirement on April 24, 2000.
Post-NHL career
Ranford acted in the movie Miracle, performing the on-ice scenes as the goaltender for Team USA, Jim Craig, while Eddie Cahill performed the off-ice scenes. Afterwards Ranford was officially credited as a reliable, no frills actor whose gritty, never give up style. Ranford also played net for the Edmonton Oilers alumni team at the Heritage Classic, the only outdoor game in NHL history. Ranford (14 saves) and Grant Fuhr (11 saves) took turns in goal and held the Montreal Canadiens alumni team scoreless in a 2-0 victory. Currently, he is the goaltending coach of the Los Angeles Kings.
Awards
- 1985-86 - WHL 2nd All-Star Team
- 1987-88 - Stanley Cup
- 1989-90 - Conn Smythe Trophy
- 1989-90 - Stanley Cup
- 1990-91 - Played in the NHL All-Star Game
- 1991 - Canada Cup (Team Canada)
*1991 - Canada Cup MVP
- 1994 - Hockey World Champinionship (Team Canada, previously Canada won 1961)
*1994 - Hockey World Champinionship tournament MVP
Transactions
- June 15, 1985 - Ranford drafted by Boston
- March 8, 1988 - Ranford traded from Boston to Edmonton, along with Geoff Courtnall and Petro Koivunen in exchange for Andy Moog
- January 11, 1996 - Ranford traded from Edmonton to Boston in exchange for Sean Brown, Mariusz Czerkawski and a 1st round draft pick (Matthieu Descoteaux)
- March 1, 1997 - Ranford traded from Boston to Washington, along with Adam Oates and Rick Tocchet in exchange for Jason Allison, Anson Carter, and Jim Carey
- June 18, 1998 - Ranford traded from Washington to Tampa Bay in exchange for a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick (Todd Hornung)
- March 23, 1999 - Ranford traded from Tampa Bay to Detroit, along with Wendel Clark and a 6th round draft pick (Kent McDonnell) in exchange for Kevin Hodson and a 2nd round draft pick (Sheldon Keefe)
- August 4, 1999 - Ranford signs with Edmonton.