St Louis Blues: Top 30 Goaltenders in Franchise History

Feb 26, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets radio broadcaster George Matthews holds an award for his 1000th game with the team as general manager John Davidson looks on before the game against the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

24. John Davidson

1973-75; 79 games, 30-34-14 record, 3.58 GAA, 7 shutouts; 1 postseason game, 0-1 record

Long before serving as the St Louis Blues’ President of Hockey Operations for a seven-year period, Davidson was possibly the most heralded goalie prospect in franchise history. The fifth overall pick in the 1973 draft, Davidson jumped straight from juniors to the NHL and took over as the Blues’ netminder for the 1973-74 season.

At the age of 20, Davidson played in 39 games, and while his 13-19-7 record was less than impressive, his 3.08 goals-against average was very solid considering the offensively-dominated era in which he played, and he finished fifth in Calder Trophy voting. His 6.6 goalie point share indicates that he had a very good, impactful season.

He wasn’t quite as statistically effective during 1974-75, putting up a 3.66 GAA and earning a 5.5 GPS, but he had a better record at 17-15-7. Davidson started one game of the Blues’ two-game preliminary series loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing four goals in what went on to be his only postseason appearance for the Blues.

Though many viewed him as the St Louis Blues’ goalie for years to come, Davidson was included along with forward Bill Collins in a June 1975 blockbuster deal with the New York Rangers that brought forwards Jerry Butler, Ted Irvine, and Bert Wilson to the Blues.

Davidson went on to be the netminder for a 1978-79 Rangers team that advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the Montreal Canadiens though injury problems ended his career before the age of 30.

Next: Solid in His Twilight Years