TTM Stats
- Sent: 12/8/2021 | Received: 6/15/2022 | 187 Days
- ’90 Pro Set
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 3/8/2023 | Received: 3/31/2023 | 23 Days
- ’90 Upper Deck
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 11/23/2024 | Received: 12/30/2024 | 37 Days
- ’91 Upper Deck
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Few goaltenders in NHL history were as electrifying, intense, and groundbreaking as Ron Hextall. Known for his aggressive style, fiery temper, and impressive puck-handling skills, Hextall left a lasting impact on the game during his time in the NHL from the 1980s to the early 2000s. From his Vezina Trophy-winning rookie season to his historic goal-scoring feats and later career in management, Hextall was a true trailblazer in hockey.
Ron Hextall was born on May 3, 1964, in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, into a hockey family. His grandfather, Bryan Hextall Sr., was a Hall of Famer with the New York Rangers, and his father, Bryan Hextall Jr., and uncle, Dennis Hextall, also played in the NHL. With hockey in his blood, Ron developed into a standout goaltender in junior hockey, playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Philadelphia Flyers selected Hextall in the sixth round (119th overall) of the 1982 NHL Draft, but few expected just how impactful he would become.
Hextall made his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1986-87 season, and his arrival was nothing short of spectacular. He played with a fearless, aggressive attitude, challenging shooters, handling the puck like a defenseman, and even getting into fights—something almost unheard of for a goaltender. That year, he posted a 37-21-6 record with a 3.01 GAA and a .902 save percentage, leading the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final against the mighty Edmonton Oilers. Though the Flyers lost in seven games, Hextall’s performance was so outstanding that he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, a rare feat for a player on the losing team. He also captured the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender, instantly becoming one of the league’s biggest stars.
One of Hextall’s most revolutionary skills was his ability to play the puck. Unlike most goalies, who simply stopped the puck for their defensemen, Hextall could pass, clear the zone, and even shoot on net. On December 8, 1987, he made history by becoming the first NHL goaltender to score a goal by shooting the puck into an empty net against the Boston Bruins. Then, in the 1989 playoffs, he became the first goalie to score in a postseason game, doing it against the Washington Capitals. These moments cemented his legacy as a pioneer for puck-handling goalies, influencing future stars like Martin Brodeur and Marc-Andre Fleury.
Hextall was just as famous for his explosive temper as he was for his goaltending skills. He never hesitated to leave his crease to confront opponents, delivering vicious slashes and dropping the gloves when necessary. One of his most infamous moments came in the 1989 playoffs when he attacked Montreal Canadiens forward Chris Chelios after Chelios had injured Flyers teammate Brian Propp earlier in the series. Hextall received a lengthy suspension, but incidents like these made him one of the most feared and respected goalies in the NHL.
After a rollercoaster tenure in Philadelphia, Hextall was traded to the Quebec Nordiques in 1992 as part of the deal that sent Eric Lindros to the Flyers. He played just one season in Quebec before being moved to the New York Islanders, where he spent the 1993-94 season. In 1994, Hextall returned to Philadelphia, where he played his final five seasons, eventually retiring in 1999.
His career numbers included:
- 296 wins, 214 losses, and 69 ties
- 2.98 GAA and .895 save percentage
- 32 career assists (a record for goalies at the time)
- Two career goals (first goalie to score twice)
While he never won a Stanley Cup as a player, he left a lasting mark on the league.
After retiring, Hextall quickly transitioned into hockey management. He worked as a scout and later an assistant general manager with the Philadelphia Flyers, helping shape the team’s future.
In 2006, he joined the Los Angeles Kings as assistant general manager and was instrumental in building the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2012. Hextall later returned to the Flyers as general manager (2014-2018), focusing on rebuilding the team with a long-term vision. However, his patient approach clashed with the Flyers’ desire for immediate success, leading to his dismissal. In 2021, Hextall became the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a surprising move given his deep ties to the Flyers. However, after the Penguins missed the playoffs in 2023, he was let go.
Ron Hextall’s influence on hockey is undeniable. He redefined the goaltending position with his aggressive play, elite puck-handling, and intense personality. His contributions to the game extend beyond his playing days, as he played a key role in shaping Stanley Cup-winning teams as an executive.
While his temper and on-ice antics made him controversial, they also made him one of the most exciting goalies to ever play the game. Whether he was scoring goals, fighting opponents, or standing on his head in the playoffs, Hextall always gave fans something to remember. He may not have won a Stanley Cup as a player, but his passion, competitive fire, and revolutionary style have secured his place in hockey history.
The Score on Ron Hextall – 6.0
Ron does a great job on your cards, and he did so below, but unfortunately, the cards get in the way. Hockey cards, and really goalie cards the worst among them, can have some busy images that don’t show off the signature. I think of the below, the 1991 Upper Deck card looks the best.
Thanks Mr. Hextall! I;m giving these returns a 6 overall.
I’ve had one prior success from him before these. Check out my post from June 2022 for that one.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Hockey Reference.