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One netminder who briefly took over the Chicago Blackhawks and vanished

The Chicago Blackhawks have quite a few goaltenders who were lucky enough to see their names engraved on the Stanley Cup.
ByTodd Matthews|
Mar 5, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet (top right) is congratulated by teammates Brent Seabrook (7) and John Madden (11) after defeating teh Vancouver Canucks 6-3 at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images
Mar 5, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet (top right) is congratulated by teammates Brent Seabrook (7) and John Madden (11) after defeating teh Vancouver Canucks 6-3 at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images | Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

Cristobal Huet has a Stanley Cup championship on his resume, even if he only briefly played in the 2010 playoffs that saw the Chicago Blackhawks take the title after an unforgettable shot from the great Patrick Kane.

But still, in 2008-09 and 2009-10, Huet was the go-to in the net for the Hawks, playing in 41 games and 48 games, respectively, throughout the regular season. Other than that, the first French netminder in NHL history is nothng more than a blur in Blackhawks history despite putting up some solid numbers in those seasons.

In 2008-09, Huet tacked on a 0.909 save percentage with a 2.53 GAA to go with three shutouts and a 0.625 quality starts percentage. Not bad numbers in the slightest, but Huet was up and down through three playoff games, when he finished with a 0.910 save percentage but a 3.23 GAA.

Former Blackhawks netminder Christobal Huet held everything in check during the dynasty's early days

Of course, 2009-10 was the year we really saw the dynasty kick off. And while Huet was a nonfactor in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he still posted a decent 0.895 save percentage, a 2.50 GAA, and four shutouts with a 0.522 quality starts percentage.

A drop from his previous season's numbers, but good enough to help the Hawks dominate the regular season and finish the year with 112 points. Still, Antti Niemi took over in the playoffs and was solid, winning 16 of his starts while posting a 2.63 GAA, two shutouts, and a 0.910 save percentage.

The 2010 playoffs would be Huet's swan song in the NHL, as he never played again in the big league after that memorable, Stanley Cup-winning season. So, you can make the argument that Huet went out as a champion, if you will.

As for Antti Niemi, he also wasn't the future. After he got his name etched onto the Cup, he went to San Jose and spent time as an NHL journeyman, seeing the ice with the Sharks, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Florida Panthers.

Cristobal Huet was a history-making netminder, nonetheless

Although Huet's time in the NHL was short, it doesn't mean he didn't make history. He was the first goaltender from France to see playing time in the NHL during the regular season, and that means his name will be etched in multiple record books as far as NHL history goes.

He may not be the most memorable goaltender in this team's long history, but wow, did he play an important role during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. Sure, he had a great team in front of him. A brewing dynasty, to be exact. But it shouldn't take away from his contributions to the Hawks.

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