Daniel Berthiaume | |||
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Born |
Longueuil, QC, CAN |
January 26, 1966 ||
Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||
Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) | ||
Position | Goaltender | ||
Caught | Left | ||
Played for |
Winnipeg Jets Minnesota North Stars Los Angeles Kings Boston Bruins Ottawa Senators |
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NHL Draft | 60th overall, 1985 Winnipeg Jets |
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Playing career | 1986–2005 |
Daniel J. Berthiaume (born January 26, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played six seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Known as "The Bandit" during his hockey career, Berthiaume was a standout goaltender in junior hockey, playing for the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL. He was drafted 60th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and posted an impressive 18-7-3 record in 31 games during his rookie NHL season of 1986-87. During his tenure with the Winnipeg Jets, he formed one half of the goaltending duo "Pokey and the Bandit" with Pokey Reddick. During his second season in the NHL, Berthiaume assumed the starting job in Winnipeg and posted a career-best 22 wins. The following season he struggled and ended up spending the bulk of the year toiling in the minors while Reddick took over the starters job with the Jets and veteran Alain Chevrier and rookie Bob Essensa supported him. Berthiaume was back with the Jets for the 1989-90 season, but Essensa was now the club's starting netminder.
Berthiaume came under fire for allegedly swearing at children seeking his autograph. On January 22, 1990 he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars for future considerations. Mike Smith, general manager of the Jets, said Berthiaume's trade was related to his off-ice actions. The goalie apologized on television for swearing at autograph seekers, then a day later denied the incident took place and said he had been ordered to apologize by team management.
Goaltender Jon Casey handled the bulk of the duties for the North Stars so Berthiuame appeared in just five games for Minnesota. Prior to the start of the 1990-91 training camp, Berthiaume was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Craig Duncanson.