Braden Holtby is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on September 16, 1989, in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. Holtby began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Saskatoon Blades in 2006. He played for the Blades for four seasons and was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Holtby made his NHL debut with the Capitals in 2010 and quickly established himself as a reliable goaltender. He played a key role in the Capitals' success during the 2012-2013 season, helping the team win the Southeast Division title. Holtby's performance in the playoffs that year was particularly impressive, as he recorded a .935 save percentage and a 1.95 goals-against average.
Over the next few years, Holtby continued to be a dominant force in the NHL. He was named to the NHL All-Star Game in 2016 and 2017 and won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender in 2016. Holtby also played a crucial role in the Capitals' Stanley Cup championship run in 2018, recording a .922 save percentage and a 2.16 goals-against average in the playoffs.
In addition to his success in the NHL, Holtby also represented Canada on the international stage. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Championships and was named the tournament's top goaltender.
Holtby's career took a downturn in his later years, as he struggled with injuries and a decline in performance. He signed with the Vancouver Canucks in 2020 but was unable to recapture his previous form. Holtby announced his retirement from professional hockey in October 2022, ending a career that saw him establish himself as one of the NHL's top goaltenders for over a decade.
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