1997 Ron Hextall NHL Starting Lineup Figure
RON HEXTALL / PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 1997 NHL Starting Lineup Action Figure & Exclusive FLEER '96/'97 Collector Trading Card. Figure measures approximately 3 inches tall. Includes one exclusive NHL FLEER '96/'97 collector trading card. Ages 4 and up. From Kenner. Ronald Jeffrey Hextall (born May 3, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, and New York Islanders.
Hextall played 11 of his 13 seasons over two stints with the Flyers. He holds several team records and is a member of the Flyers Hall of Fame. During his rookie season in 1986-87, he was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender and led the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite the Flyers' loss to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable player, making him one of only five players to win the trophy in a losing effort. Injuries in the middle of his career contributed to a drop in his playing ability; as a result, he was traded on three occasions in the off-seasons between 1992 and 1994 to the Quebec Nordiques, the New York Islanders and then back to the Flyers. Upon his return to Philadelphia, Hextall regained confidence and form, recording Goals Against Averages (GAA) below 3.00 in each of his five subsequent seasons - the lowest of his career. He retired from the NHL at the end of the 1998-99 season.
Hextall became the first NHL goaltender to score a goal by shooting the puck into the opponent's empty net, against the Boston Bruins in the 1987-88 season. The following season, he became the first to score in the playoffs, by shooting the puck into the Washington Capitals' empty net. His mobile style of play, in which he provided support to his defencemen by coming out of the goal area to play the puck was revolutionary, and inspired future generations of goaltenders, such as Martin Brodeur.