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Minnesota Wild: Top 10 Goalies in Franchise History

By Cody Defoe

ST. PAUL, MN - DECEMBER 17: John Curry #33 of the Minnesota Wild warms up prior to the game against the Boston Bruins on December 17, 2014 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - DECEMBER 17: John Curry #33 of the Minnesota Wild warms up prior to the game against the Boston Bruins on December 17, 2014 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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2004 Season: Player Dwayne Roloson of the Minnesota Wild. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /

#3 – Dwayne Roloson (2000-2006)

Dwayne Roloson, or more affectionately known as “Roli the Goalie” by fans, barely edges out Fernandez for third place on this list.

Roloson took a more indirect route to his role on the Wild, serving 2 seasons in the 90s as a primary backup in the Calgary Flames organization, and then another 2 as primary backup to Dominik Hasek in Buffalo (including the 98-99 Stanley Cup Final opposite Fernandez).

Roli was actually taken in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft by the Wild’s co-expansion team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, but rather than reporting to the Jackets he signed an AHL contract for 1 season.

In the summer of 2001 Roli signed a contract to join the Minnesota Wild organization, and immediately established himself as Fernandez’s equal on the expansion franchise. He and Fernandez would form a formidable 1a/1b and share the glory of the 2002-03 Conference Championship appearance.

When Roloson struggled in the first round, Fernandez came to the rescue. In the second round, when Fernandez struggled, Roloson returned the favor with 3 consecutive wins of his own to vault the Wild to the Conference Championships.

The following season, Roloson was rewarded for a fantastic year with an NHL All Star Game selection. He finished the season with a 1.88 GAA, .933 Sv%, and 5 shutouts for the Wild, cementing his spot as starter.

When the 2004-05 season was lost to lockout, Roli struggled to find his game again the next season, and was firmly supplanted by Fernandez for the 1a role. In March 2006, in the midst of an extremely poor year, Roloson was sent on his way to Edmonton in exchange for a 1st round draft pick.

Roloson found another gear in Edmonton, leading a miracle playoff run all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals and a front runner the Playoff MVP. Many in Edmonton will tell you that had Roloson not been injured, they are convinced the Oilers would have been 2006 Stanley Cup Champions.

He also led a miracle run in 2011, taking the Tampa Bay Lightning to Game 7 of the East Conference Finals. His edge over Fernandez is ever so slight, but enhanced by his all-star game appearance and his role among 4 deep playoff runs in his career.

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