Stanley Cup champion almost quit the NHL

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford is a two-time Stanley Cup champion who always cracks the top ten list for best ranked goalies in the NHL.  This was not always the case.

In the beginning of his career he spent 5 years in the AHL playing with the Norfolk Admirals and the Rockford IceHogs.  Crawford felt that it was difficult playing his entire career in the minors and sometimes believed that he wasn’t good enough to play in the NHL. Thus this led to him to consider playing elsewhere, such as overseas in Russia.

However, at age 27 in 2011 the net minder was given the opportunity to overcome his worries and take over the starting role between the pipes. He posted a 33-18-6 record while averaging 2.30 goals against with a .917 save percentage.

His 4 shutouts in 2011 uplifted him above his uncertainties and allowed him to make a real name for himself within the organization.