On Sunday, the hockey community received sad news with the passing of former NHL goaltender, Ray Emery.
The Hamilton Police reported that Emery, 35, had drowned while he was swimming in the Hamilton Harbour located in Ontario with family and friends.
While his death is still a mystery to date, Inspector Marty Schulenberg referenced the passing to local media outlets as a “case of misadventure.”
The Hamilton, Ontario native was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth-round (99th overall) at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Emery made his NHL debut between the pipes in the 2002-03 NHL season with Ottawa and the 6-foot-2 masked man eventually took over the team’s No. 1 role in net by the start of the 2005-06 campaign.
What makes Emery’s story so special is that he was an underdog, and does have some notable memories that all can look back on and admire. He essentially came out of the blue when he stunned the NHL with his heroics in the blue paint for Ottawa in 2006-07.
Emery was essential in leading the Senators to the team’s first ever Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2007, yet the team lost to the Anaheim Ducks in five games. Keep in mind that Emery and the Senators had only lost three games prior to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final against the Ducks.
He played in parts of 11 seasons in the NHL (2002-2015) and in addition to the Senators he also dressed for the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks.
Hooked on Hockey Magazine takes a look back at Emery’s greatest moments in the NHL and the kind words he received from the hockey community.
It’s one of the NHL’s more entertainment and passionate memories, ever. In February of 2007, the Senators and Buffalo Sabres had a full on brawl with every skater on the ice that also included the netminders. Emery and (then) Sabres goaltender, Martin Biron, each left their respective nets and squared up.
The two teams later met in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, when the Senators defeated the Sabres in five game to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Emery was not only a fan of boxing, but he practiced boxing off of the ice; which also explains the fighting aspect.
One of the toughest goalies ever, laughing as he’s getting punched, gone but will never be forgotten RIP Ray Emery stick tap for you 🏒 pic.twitter.com/bEH4U5uSHY
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) July 15, 2018
RIP Ray Emery, the former NHL goalie who was such a fan of boxing that he featured many boxers (both real and fictional) on his mask designs over the years, from Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson to Rocky Balboa pic.twitter.com/vJMXcURgng
— Chris Creamer (@sportslogosnet) July 16, 2018
Such sad news about Ray Emery. He will be greatly missed. An incredible teammate with a huge heart.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 15, 2018
The entertaining netminder won his first Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013. Emery and goaltender Corey Crawford split time between the pipes during the regular season and the two earned the William M. Jennings Trophy. The Jennings is awarded to the goaltending tandem that allows the fewest goals during the regular season.
The underdog posted a 17-1-0 record that year with Chicago, while recording a .922 save-percentage and 1.94 goals-against-average (GAA).
The Chicago Blackhawks organization was deeply saddened to hear of Ray Emery’s passing. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. The Blackhawks will fondly remember Ray as a fierce competitor, a good teammate and a Stanley Cup champion. pic.twitter.com/Q2gm0gG6sZ
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 15, 2018
“All the statistics in the world can’t measure the warmth of a smile…”
Rest In Peace my friend, Ray Emery#Razor @NHL @NHLFlyers @FlyersAlumni @NHLAlumni pic.twitter.com/I6SX5cKq8c— Bernie Parent (@bernieparent) July 15, 2018
Players at #Blackhawks Development Camp will wear No. 30 stickers on their helmets this week to pay tribute to Ray Emery. pic.twitter.com/S8dNUrqSxB
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 16, 2018
On the passing of Ray Emery… pic.twitter.com/aR17IBFE0d
— Kyle Dubas (@kyledubas) July 15, 2018
Ray was a great teammate and an even better friend. Rest in peace Razor. I’ll miss you man. pic.twitter.com/NNHNc1Swyd
— Claude Giroux (@28CGiroux) July 15, 2018
Sad to hear about the tragic news of Ray Emery. Great teammate and person. #RIPRazor pic.twitter.com/JB3ueXr7N0
— Brayden Schenn (@Bschenn_10) July 15, 2018
So sad to hear the tragic news about Ray Emery- was a great teammate and person #rip
— James van Riemsdyk (@JVReemer21) July 15, 2018
The late Ray Emery seemed to come out of nowhere and guided the Ottawa Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals. We lived vicariously through his brilliant saves. He was a risk-taker and an entertainer. He was preciously human and we witnessed his frailties. Rest in peace, Razor. pic.twitter.com/tvNs9V7W0Y
— Dan Greenberg (@danthesensman) July 16, 2018
RIP Ray.
Honored to have had the chance to meet him yesterday at a charity event! A very tough competitor. pic.twitter.com/kYqTVAcvpe— Adam Henrique (@AdamHenrique) July 15, 2018
Just when you thought “Razor” was done dropping the gloves, Emery decided to get the Broad Street Bullies and the City of Brotherly Love pumped up when he challenged Washington Capitals goaltender, Braden Holtby, to a fight back in November of 2013 at the Wells Fargo Center.
https://youtu.be/aWujDbZIqCc
Emery finished his NHL career with 145 wins and a 2.70 GAA. His 71 wins with the Senators ranks fourth all-time in franchise’s history.
Tweet your NHL related questions to @KMcKenna_tLT5 to have them answered & be sure to use the hashtag #McKennasDigest
Kyle McKenna covers the NHL for Hooked On Hockey Magazine. He can be reached on Twitter (@KMcKenna_tLT5)
Kyle McKenna
Latest posts by Kyle McKenna (see all)
- Top Social Media Posts For January 2020 - February 3, 2020
- Top Social Media Posts For December 2019 - December 31, 2019
- Top Social Media Posts For November 2019 - December 1, 2019
