Curtis Sanford is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and various minor leagues. He was born on October 5, 1979, in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.
Sanford began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Owen Sound Platers in 1996. He played for the Platers for three seasons before being drafted by the Dallas Stars in the eighth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Sanford spent the majority of his early professional career in the minor leagues, playing for various teams in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL. He made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues in the 2002-2003 season, playing in four games and recording a 2-1-0 record.
Over the next several years, Sanford split his time between the NHL and the AHL, playing for the Blues, the Vancouver Canucks, and the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had his best NHL season in 2008-2009 with the Blue Jackets, posting a 7-8-2 record with a 2.60 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
In addition to his NHL career, Sanford also played in Europe for a season, suiting up for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League A in 2010-2011.
Sanford retired from professional hockey in 2014 after playing his final season with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. Over the course of his career, he played in 144 NHL games, recording a 44-61-18 record with a 2.64 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.
Off the ice, Sanford has been involved in various charitable endeavors throughout his career. He has worked with organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and has also been active in promoting youth hockey in his hometown of Owen Sound.
Overall, Curtis Sanford had a successful career as a professional hockey goaltender, playing in the NHL and various minor leagues for over a decade. While he may not have been a household name, he was a reliable and consistent player who made a positive impact both on and off the ice.
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