Jean-Sébastien Giguère (; born May 16, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played with the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and was drafted 13th overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1995 NHL entry draft. He played in the Calgary Flames organization for three seasons before joining the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2000.
In the 2003 NHL playoffs, Giguère anchored the seventh-seeded Mighty Ducks on their run to the Stanley Cup Finals, where he became the fifth player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy despite not winning the Stanley Cup in the same season. Giguere ultimately won the Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007.
His later career included stints in Toronto and Colorado. Giguère holds the Anaheim Ducks' franchise record for career wins and shutouts and was the last active NHL player who had played for the Hartford Whalers.
Playing career
Early career
As a youth, Giguère played in the 1990 and 1991 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from the Mille Îles area of Laval, Quebec.
After his four-year major junior career that included QMJHL Second Team All-Star honours in 1997, the Hartford Whalers drafted Giguère 13th overall in the 1995 NHL entry draft with a pick acquired from the New York Rangers in exchange for Pat Verbeek. Giguère made his NHL debut with the Whalers, playing eight games during the 1996–97 season.
On August 25, 1997 (by which time the Whalers had relocated to become the Carolina Hurricanes), Giguère was traded to the Calgary Flames, along with centre Andrew Cassels, for forward Gary Roberts and goaltender Trevor Kidd. Due to only brief stints in the NHL during his tenures with Hartford and Calgary, the 2000–01 season qualified as Giguère's rookie NHL season. He played in 34 games, posting a 2.57 GAA and .911 save percentage.
In the off-season, he was re-signed by the Mighty Ducks on August 17, 2001.
However, the Mighty Ducks' dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup was stopped by the New Jersey Devils, to whom Anaheim lost in a seven-game series. Giguère finished the playoffs undefeated in seven overtime games, setting a record for the longest playoff overtime shutout streak at 168 minutes and 27 seconds. He proceeded to put up a career-high 36 wins in 56 games. Prior to the beginning of the 2007 playoffs, Giguère and his wife welcomed a newborn son. Giguère missed the Ducks' last three regular season games as well as the first three games of their opening round matchup with Minnesota, with Bryzgalov taking over in Giguère's absence. Giguère returned late in the series and was the Ducks' starter the rest of the way. During the second round against Vancouver, his eight-game overtime winning streak in the playoffs was snapped on April 27, 2007, in a 2–1 defeat in game two. Nevertheless, Giguère and the Ducks went on to eliminate the Canucks en route to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, where they won their first-ever Stanley Cup championship in a 6–2 game five win over the Ottawa Senators on June 6.
On June 21, 2007, the Ducks announced that they had re-signed Giguère to a multi-year contract. Giguère posted a 35–17–6 record with a career-best 2.12 GAA in the 2007–08 season. Despite his personal numbers, however, the defending champion Ducks were defeated in the first round of the 2008 playoffs by the Dallas Stars in six games.
Giguère recorded sub-par numbers during the 2008–09 season, going 19–18–6 with a 3.10 GAA, sharing an increased amount of playing time to his backup Jonas Hiller. This did not deter him from being voted into the 2009 NHL All-Star Game in his hometown of Montreal. As Hiller outplayed Giguère throughout the season, he was chosen over Giguère to start during the 2009 playoffs. Giguère's only appearance for the Ducks in the playoffs was in relief of Hiller in the third period of game four of the Ducks' second round series with the Detroit Red Wings, to whom the Ducks would eventually fall in seven games.
Giguère suffered a groin strain early in the 2009–10 season on October 24, 2009. With Hiller's continued emergence as a bona fide starter, Giguère publicly told L.A. Daily News on November 10 that he "would rather retire than be a backup goalie," fuelling a goaltending controversy on the team. Losing his starting position to Hiller, he did not record his first win of the season until November 23 in a 3–2 shootout victory over the Calgary Flames.
Toronto Maple Leafs (2010–2011)
200px|thumb|right|Giguère in 2010 as a member of the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
Giguère was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 31, 2010, in exchange for goaltender Vesa Toskala and forward Jason Blake. Three days later, Giguère played his first game for the Maple Leafs and recorded a 30-save shutout against the New Jersey Devils. He registered another shutout in his next game against Ottawa on February 6 to become the first goalie in franchise history to record shutouts in his first two games. This accomplishment led Giguère to be named the NHL's Second Star of the Week on February 8. After having recorded a 3.14 GAA and .900 save percentage in 20 games with the Ducks before being traded, he improved to a 2.49 GAA and .916 save percentage in 15 games with Toronto.
The following season, Giguère suffered a groin injury in mid-November 2010, sidelining him for three weeks. Upon his return, he played in several games before re-injuring his groin. During that time, the Leafs were in need of a goaltender, forcing them to call-up James Reimer from the AHL's Toronto Marlies, who took over the starter's position in Giguère's absence.
Colorado Avalanche (2011–2014)
On July 1, 2011, free agent Giguère signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche. He embraced his role in the Colorado locker room as the veteran mentor, especially for young starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov. Giguère's leadership was key in a four-game home stand in mid-December when Varlamov was sidelined with a back ailment; Giguère started all four games and won them all, securing the Avalanche a team-record, eight-straight wins at home. It was the most consecutive home wins the franchise had seen since the Quebec Nordiques won ten-straight in 1995 before the club moved to Denver later that year to become the Avalanche. Giguère was named one of the three NHL's three stars of the week for late December. A groin pull on February 15, 2012, during a losing effort to the Vancouver Canucks, however, sidelined Giguère, allowing Varlamov the opportunity to redeem himself and reclaim the starting position in net for the remainder of the race to the 2012 playoffs, which Colorado ultimately did not qualify for. On August 13, 2012, Giguère signed a one-year, US$1.5 million contract extension through the 2013–14 season.
Post-playing career
thumb|right|200px|Giguère announces his retirement in Blainville, Quebec, in August 2014.
On May 26, 2014, reports surfaced that Giguère was prepared to retire, and had likely played in his final NHL game, amidst much speculation. In what proved to be his final NHL start, Colorado's regular season finale in Anaheim, he received a video tribute and warm ovation from the crowd. At the end of the game, Giguère shared a victory lap with former teammate Teemu Selänne, who had already confirmed his own retirement and was playing in his final regular season game. On August 21, Giguère formally announced his retirement. He was the last active NHL player to have played for the Hartford Whalers.
Personal life
Giguère was born in Montreal, Quebec, but grew up in Blainville, Quebec. Giguère's father died of cancer on December 15, 2008, and this greatly affected his performance for the rest of the season. Giguère went into the All-Star Game that year with a very weak record, with only one win in his last nine games. Giguère's mother died February 2013.
Giguère suffers from aerophagia, a rare gastric condition that causes his body to take in too much air when he drinks fluids. As a result, his body has difficulty absorbing water, leading to severe dehydration when he sweats.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:75%"
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! align="center" colspan="10" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Regular season
! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! align="center" colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Playoffs
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season
! Team
! League
! GP
! W
! L
! T
! OTL
! MIN
! GA
! SO
! GAA
! SV%
! GP
! W
! L
! MIN
! GA
! SO
! GAA
! SV%
|-
| 1992–93
| Laval-Laurentides
| QMAAA
| 27
| 12
| 11
| 2
| —
| 1498
| 76
| 0
| 3.04
| —
| 12
| 6
| 5
| 654
| 38
| 0
| 3.49
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1993–94
| Verdun Collège Français
| QMJHL
| 26
| 13
| 7
| 2
| —
| 1288
| 69
| 1
| 3.21
| .878
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 29
| 2
| 0
| 4.14
| .889
|-
| 1994–95
| Halifax Mooseheads
| QMJHL
| 47
| 14
| 27
| 5
| —
| 2755
| 181
| 2
| 3.94
| .889
| 7
| 3
| 4
| 417
| 17
| 1
| 2.45
| .934
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1995–96
| Halifax Mooseheads
| QMJHL
| 55
| 26
| 23
| 2
| —
| 3230
| 185
| 1
| 3.44
| .894
| 6
| 1
| 5
| 354
| 24
| 0
| 4.07
| .874
|-
| 1996–97
| Hartford Whalers
| NHL
| 8
| 1
| 4
| 0
| —
| 394
| 24
| 0
| 3.65
| .881
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1996–97
| Halifax Mooseheads
| QMJHL
| 50
| 28
| 19
| 3
| —
| 3014
| 170
| 2
| 3.38
| .902
| 16
| 9
| 7
| 954
| 58
| 0
| 3.65
| .899
|-
| 1997–98
| Saint John Flames
| AHL
| 31
| 16
| 10
| 3
| —
| 1758
| 72
| 2
| 2.46
| .926
| 10
| 5
| 3
| 536
| 27
| 0
| 3.02
| .897
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1998–99
| Calgary Flames
| NHL
| 15
| 6
| 7
| 1
| —
| 860
| 46
| 0
| 3.21
| .897
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| 1998–99
| Saint John Flames
| AHL
| 39
| 18
| 16
| 3
| —
| 2145
| 123
| 3
| 3.44
| .905
| 7
| 3
| 2
| 304
| 21
| 0
| 4.14
| .859
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1999–2000
| Calgary Flames
| NHL
| 7
| 1
| 3
| 1
| —
| 330
| 15
| 0
| 2.73
| .914
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| 1999–2000
| Saint John Flames
| AHL
| 41
| 17
| 17
| 3
| —
| 2243
| 114
| 0
| 3.05
| .897
| 3
| 0
| 3
| 178
| 9
| 0
| 3.03
| .880
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2000–01
| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
| NHL
| 34
| 11
| 17
| 5
| —
| 2031
| 87
| 4
| 2.57
| .911
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| 2000–01
| Cincinnati Mighty Ducks
| AHL
| 23
| 12
| 7
| 2
| —
| 1306
| 53
| 0
| 2.43
| .917
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2001–02
| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
| NHL
| 53
| 20
| 25
| 6
| —
| 3127
| 111
| 4
| 2.13
| .920
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| 2002–03
| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
| NHL
| 65
| 34
| 22
| 6
| —
| 3775
| 145
| 8
| 2.30
| .920
| 21
| 15
| 6
| 1407
| 38
| 5
| 1.62
| .945
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2003–04
| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
| NHL
| 55
| 17
| 31
| 6
| —
| 3210
| 140
| 3
| 2.62
| .914
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| 2004–05
| Hamburg Freezers
| DEL
| 6
| —
| —
| —
| —
| 301
| 12
| 0
| 2.39
| .925
| 2
| 0
| 2
| 100
| 7
| 0
| 4.20
| .881
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2005–06
| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
| NHL
| 60
| 30
| 15
| —
| 11
| 3381
| 150
| 2
| 2.66
| .911
| 6
| 3
| 3
| 318
| 18
| 0
| 3.40
| .864
|-
| 2006–07
| Anaheim Ducks
| NHL
| 56
| 36
| 10
| —
| 8
| 3245
| 122
| 4
| 2.26
| .918
| 18
| 13
| 4
| 1067
| 35
| 1
| 1.97
| .922
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2007–08
| Anaheim Ducks
| NHL
| 58
| 35
| 17
| —
| 6
| 3310
| 117
| 4
| 2.12
| .922
| 6
| 2
| 4
| 358
| 19
| 0
| 3.18
| .898
|-
| 2008–09
| Anaheim Ducks
| NHL
| 46
| 19
| 18
| —
| 6
| 2458
| 127
| 2
| 3.10
| .900
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 17
| 0
| 0
| 0.00
| 1.000
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2009–10
| Anaheim Ducks
| NHL
| 20
| 4
| 8
| —
| 5
| 1108
| 58
| 1
| 3.14
| .900
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| 2009–10
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 15
| 6
| 7
| —
| 2
| 915
| 38
| 2
| 2.49
| .916
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2010–11
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 33
| 11
| 11
| —
| 4
| 1633
| 78
| 0
| 2.87
| .900
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| 2011–12
| Colorado Avalanche
| NHL
| 32
| 15
| 11
| —
| 3
| 1820
| 69
| 2
| 2.27
| .919
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2012–13
| Colorado Avalanche
| NHL
| 18
| 5
| 4
| —
| 4
| 908
| 43
| 0
| 2.84
| .908
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
| 2013–14
| Colorado Avalanche
| NHL
| 22
| 11
| 6
| —
| 1
| 1212
| 53
| 2
| 2.62
| .913
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 597
! 262
! 216
! 25
! 50
! 33,717
! 1423
! 38
! 2.53
! .913
! 52
! 33
! 17
! 3167
! 110
! 6
! 2.08
! .925
|}
International
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! Result
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! GP
! W
! L
! T
! MIN
! GA
! SO
! GAA
! SV%
|-
| 2001
| Canada
| WC
| DNP
| 5th
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2002
| Canada
| WC
| 6th
| 5
| 3
| 1
| 0
| 254
| 8
| 0
| 1.89
| .921
|-
| 2004
| Canada
| WC
|
| 2
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 120
| 1
| 1
| 0.50
| .975
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4" | Senior totals
! 7
! 5
! 1
! 0
! 374
! 9
! 1
! 1.44
| —
|}
Awards and honours
{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Year
! Ref
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
| colspan="3" | QMJHL
|-
| Second All-Star Team
| 1997
|
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
| colspan="3" | AHL
|-
| Hap Holmes Memorial Award
| 1998
|
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
| colspan="3" | NHL
|-
| Conn Smythe Trophy
| 2003
|
|-
| Best NHL Player ESPY Award
| 2003
|
|-
| Stanley Cup champion
| 2007
|
|-
| NHL All-Star Game
| 2009
|
|}
Transactions
- July 8, 1995 – Drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the first round, 13th overall
- June 25, 1997 – Rights transferred to the Carolina Hurricanes when the Hartford Whalers relocated
- August 27, 1997 – Traded to the Calgary Flames with Andrew Cassels in exchange for Gary Roberts and Trevor Kidd
- June 10, 2000 – Traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for a second-round pick in 2000 (Matt Pettinger)
- June 21, 2007 – Signed a four-year, $24 million contract with Anaheim
- January 31, 2010 – Traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake
- July 1, 2011 – Signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche
- August 13, 2012 – Signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract extension with Colorado