Breaking down the Blackhawks top 10 single-season leaders in shutouts of all-time

While the NHL primarily had goaltenders putting together an epic number of shutouts during its earlier days, something you’ll see represented well in the content below, that wasn’t mainly the case for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

One netminder left their legacy primarily thanks to their performances during the late 1960s and early-to-mid 1970s, while another enjoyed an epic 1997-98 campaign. Another name on this list, and the one we will talk about first, had an incredible 2002-03 season, and one that should be in the Blackhawks record books for quite some time. 

Jocelyn Thibault, 2002-03

Jocelyn Thibault enjoyed a strong career with the Blackhawks, recording 28 shutouts, a 0.905 save percentage, and a 2.62 GAA. He foreshadowed what would be an impeccable 2002-03 season in 2000-01 and 2001-02 when he posted six shutouts in each campaign, setting the stage for an eight-shutout performance in 2002-03. 

No, the outing didn’t land Thibault consideration for any awards, but he still finished the year with a 2.33 GAA and a 0.915 save percentage. He played one more season for the Blackhawks before ending his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. 

Jeff Hackett, 1997-98

Jeff Hackett also wasn’t in the conversation for any awards for his performance during the 1997-98 season, but still, eight shutouts in 58 games is pretty remarkable. Overall, he finished the year with a 0.917 save percentage and a 2.20 GAA, giving him a performance that was somewhat similar to what he enjoyed in 1996-97. 

That year, Hackett’s numbers were slightly better, with a 0.927 save percentage and a 2.16 GAA, but he ended the year with just a pair of shutouts. Overall, it was a stellar two-year run for Hackett, who spent six seasons in the Windy City. 

Lorne Chabot, 1934-35

You can call Lorne Chabot one of the NHL’s early-season journeymen, as he spent time with six teams. One of those teams was the Chicago Black Hawks, and in his lone campaign in the Windy City, Chabot took First-Team All-Star Honors and won the Vezina for the first and only time in his career. 

Overall, he played in 48 games, secured eight shutouts, and finished with a 1.8 GAA. These numbers weren’t even close to the best in his career, however, as he went three straight seasons between 1926-27 and 1928-29 with double-digit shutouts during his time with the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs, never allowing his GAA to sail north of 1.74.

Glenn Hall, 1961-62

Glenn Hall enjoyed a decorated career with the Black Hawks, and Mr. Goalie’s best year with the team may have come in 1961-62. He secured nine shutouts that season, took sixth place for the Hart, and earned a spot on the NHL All-Star Team. 

Hall ended the season with a 0.914 save percentage and a 2.63 GAA, numbers that also seemed to be Vezina-worthy at the time. But Hall wouldn’t wait much longer before he got his name on the Vezina Trophy, as he won the elusive prize a year later in 1962-63. 

Mike Karakas, 1935-36

Mike Karakas won the Calder Trophy during the 1935-36 season, and one look at his numbers will show you why he deserved the honor. He finished with a 1.85 GAA that season, plus nine shutouts, which turned out to be his best season with the Black Hawks. 

Charlie Gardiner, 1930-31, 1933-34

Charlie Gardiner spent seven seasons with the Black Hawks, but his 1930-31 campaign stands out as one of his best, taking a top spot on the NHL All-Star Team and finishing with 12 shutouts and a 1.73 GAA. 

He would then take the Vezina in 1931-32, but he wouldn’t manage to snag both the highest honor among NHL goaltenders and record double-digit shutouts until 1933-34. That season, he denied opponents goals in 10 games while snagging a career-best 1.63 GAA. 

Tony Esposito, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1973-74

And finally, we’re ending with one of the best to ever play goaltender as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, or the Black Hawks, as they were known during Esposito’s time. Anyway, in 1969-70, Esposito took home the Calder Trophy, the Vezina, and First-Team All-Star honors while simultaneously taking second place for the Hart, as he ended the season with an incredible 15 shutouts. 

Esposito also had 38 wins, a 2.17 GAA, and a 0.932 save percentage, setting the stage for what was another outstanding campaign two seasons later in 1971-72. That year, Esposito had nine shutouts, a 0.934 save percentage, and a legendary 1.77 GAA, once again landing him a top spot on the NHL All-Star Team and the Vezina. 

Fast-forward to 1973-74, and Esposito ended the year with 10 shutouts, a 2.05 GAA, and a 0.929 save percentage. He would take home the Vezina once more, plus a spot as a Second-Team All-Star, and a fifth-place finish for the Hart Trophy. 

(Statistics powered by Hockey-Reference)