Damian Rhodes is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) and other leagues during his career. He was born on May 28, 1969, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up playing hockey in Canada.
Rhodes began his professional career in 1990 when he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He spent several seasons playing for the Maple Leafs' minor league affiliates before making his NHL debut in 1993. Rhodes played for the Maple Leafs for four seasons, serving as a backup goaltender for most of that time.
In 1997, Rhodes was traded to the Ottawa Senators, where he became the team's starting goaltender. He had a strong season in 1997-98, posting a 2.26 goals against average (GAA) and a .910 save percentage. Rhodes helped lead the Senators to the playoffs that year, where they advanced to the second round before being eliminated by the Washington Capitals.
Rhodes continued to play for the Senators for several more seasons, but his performance declined over time. He was eventually traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2001, where he played for one season before retiring from professional hockey.
Throughout his career, Rhodes was known for his quick reflexes and his ability to make acrobatic saves. He was also known for his unorthodox style, which included dropping to his knees and stacking his pads to make saves.
After retiring from hockey, Rhodes became a goaltending coach and worked with several teams in the NHL and other leagues. He also founded a goaltending school in Ottawa, where he taught young players the skills and techniques needed to succeed as a goaltender.
Overall, Damian Rhodes had a successful career as a professional hockey goaltender, playing for several teams in the NHL and other leagues. He was known for his quick reflexes and unorthodox style, and he helped lead the Ottawa Senators to the playoffs in 1998. After retiring from hockey, Rhodes continued to work in the sport as a coach and teacher, passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of goaltenders.
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