Jeff Hackett was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who played for several teams during his career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on June 1, 1968, in London, Ontario, Canada, and began his hockey career playing for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the late 1980s.
Hackett was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, but he did not make his NHL debut until the 1991-92 season, when he played for the San Jose Sharks. He played for the Sharks for two seasons before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1993.
Hackett played for the Blackhawks for four seasons, during which he established himself as one of the top goaltenders in the league. He was named to the NHL All-Star Game in 1997 and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, which is awarded to the league's top goaltender, in the same year.
After leaving the Blackhawks in 1997, Hackett played for several other teams, including the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Philadelphia Flyers. He continued to be a solid goaltender throughout his career, but he never achieved the same level of success that he had with the Blackhawks.
Hackett retired from professional hockey in 2004, after playing in 500 NHL games and recording 165 wins, 167 losses, and 49 ties. He also had a career goals against average (GAA) of 2.89 and a save percentage of .902.
In addition to his NHL career, Hackett also represented Canada in international competition. He played for Canada at the 1991 World Junior Championships, where he helped lead the team to a silver medal, and he also played for Canada at the 1998 World Championships.
After retiring from hockey, Hackett remained involved in the sport as a goaltending coach. He worked with several teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres, and he also ran his own goaltending school in Montreal.
Overall, Jeff Hackett had a successful career as an NHL goaltender, and he was known for his quick reflexes, strong positioning, and ability to make big saves in key moments. He was a fan favorite in many of the cities where he played, and he remains a respected figure in the hockey world today.
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