Alex Auld

Auld played most of his minor hockey in his hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario, with the Thunder Bay Kings program. He was a minor hockey teammate of future NHLers Taylor Pyatt, Patrick Sharp, Jason Jaspers and Aaron MacKenzie. Their Kings team won gold in the All Ontario Bantam AAA championships in 1997 played in North Bay, Ontario.{{cite web |url=https://www.chroniclejournal.com/sports/local_sports/kings-no-stranger-to-ontario-bantam-medals/article_603d41fe-129f-11e7-8300-ff013d886097.html |title=Kings no stranger to Ontario bantam medals |work=The Chronicle Journal |last=Annelin |first=Tom |date=May 27, 2017 |access-date=June 20, 2023}}

Auld started junior career with the North Bay Centennials of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) at the tail end of the 1997–98 season, appearing in six games without registering a win.{{cite web |url=https://ontariohockeyleague.com/players/687 |title=Alex Auld |publisher=Ontario Hockey League |access-date=June 21, 2023}} After appearing in 38 games the following season, Auld was selected in the second round, 40th overall, of the 1999 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/panthers-agree-to-terms-with-g-alex-auld-and-c-stephen-weiss/c-440647 |title=Panthers Agree to Terms with G Alex Auld and C Stephen Weiss |publisher=Florida Panthers |date=July 19, 2006 |access-date=June 21, 2023}} He would finish out his junior career with the Centennials, spending two more seasons as their starting goaltender. In his final season, Auld was named to Team Canada for the 2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he backed up Maxime Ouellet, winning a bronze medal.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/alex-auld-catches-on-with-coyotes-1.648669 |title=Alex Auld catches on with Coyotes |work=CBC Sports |date=August 13, 2007 |access-date=June 21, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2011/12/23/book_excerpt_damien_cox_describes_how_canadas_juniors_took_a_muchprized_bronze_medal_in_the_2000_juniors_in_sweden.html |title=Book Excerpt: Damien Cox describes how Canada's juniors took a much-prized bronze medal in the 2000 juniors in Sweden |work=Toronto Star |last=Cox |first=Damien |date=December 23, 2011 |access-date=June 21, 2023}} Later that same season, Auld was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for a third round pick in the 2002 NHL entry draft and a compensatory pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/boston-bruins-acquire-goaltender-alex-auld/c-448523 |title=Boston Bruins Acquire Goaltender Alex Auld |publisher=Boston Bruins |date=December 6, 2007 |access-date=June 6, 2023}}

Image:Alex Auld 2005.jpg]]

Image:AlexAuldStars09.jpg]]

Auld turned professional in the 2001–02 season, joining the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. An ankle sprain sidelined Auld during training camp, however, and upon his return, he was assigned to the Columbia Inferno of the East Coast Hockey League. Solid play in six games at that level returned Auld to the AHL,{{cite press release |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/canucks-recall-auld-reassign-moss-to-moose/n-1987179 |title=Canucks recall Auld; reassign Moss to Moose |publisher=Manitoba Moose |via=Oursportscentral.com |date=March 3, 2003 |access-date=June 22, 2023}} where he showed steady improvement, despite competition for playing time from veterans Alfie Michaud and Martin Brochu.{{cite web |url=http://www.moosehockey.com/history/2001-02/statistics.php |title=Manitoba Moose roster for 2001–02 Season |publisher=Manitoba Moose |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211230937/http://www.moosehockey.com/history/2001-02/statistics.php |archive-date=December 11, 2006}} Following injuries to Canucks goaltenders Dan Cloutier and Peter Skudra, Auld earned a start at the NHL level, a 4–2 victory over the Dallas Stars on January 23, 2002, after which he returned to the AHL. The 2002–03 season afforded Auld more opportunity for growth, although he again split playing time at the AHL level, this time with Tyler Moss. With Cloutier and Skudra entrenched at the NHL level, Auld still managed to appear in seven games as an injury replacement, and even played one Stanley Cup playoff game in relief. In his fourth career start, Auld notched his first career shutout versus the Washington Capitals on March 23, 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/230323022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623184822/https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/230323022 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |title=Bertuzzi not yet ready to talk about goal-scoring title |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=March 24, 2003 |access-date=June 23, 2023}}

During the off-season, backup Peter Skudra signed with a Russian team, raising the possibility that Auld might claim the backup role for the Canucks. As the 2003–04 season approached, however, Canucks general manager Brian Burke traded a draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Johan Hedberg, all but ensuring Auld another season in the minors.{{cite web |url=https://www.timesleader.com/archive/1044875/hedberg-heading-off-to-be-goalie-for-canucks-pittsburgh-goaltender-traded-to-vancouver-in-exchange-for-a-second-round-draftpick |title=Hedberg Heading Off To Be Goalie For Canucks Pittsburgh Goaltender Traded To Vancouver In Exchange For A Second-round Draft Pick |work=Times Leader |date=August 26, 2003 |access-date=June 21, 2023}} Again, Auld began the season sharing netminding duties with Tyler Moss. Auld again saw brief NHL action, appearing in six games. However, during the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cloutier was injured early on in the Canucks' first round series with the Calgary Flames. Hedberg, who had been shakyThe Sports Forecaster 2005–06, p. 101 as a backup, failed to impress head coach Marc Crawford in two appearances, and Auld claimed the starting role in Game 5, pushing Calgary the distance in the series, eventually losing in Game 7.{{cite web |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/alex-auld-on-the-days-before-luongo |title=Alex Auld on the days before Luongo |last=McIntyre |first=Gordon |work=The Province |date=February 22, 2011 |access-date=June 21, 2023}}

Auld spent the 2004–05 NHL lockout back with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, this time pairing with veteran netminder Wade Flaherty. Despite holding on to the starting role for much of the season, Flaherty took over as starter at the beginning of the Calder Cup playoffs, helping the team reach the third round.{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/the-team-of-choice-at-portage-and-main/article980482/ |title=The team of choice at Portage and Main |work=The Globe and Mail |date=May 18, 2005 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} Auld also appeared for Canada at the Spengler Cup in December 2004, carrying the team to a third-place finish.{{cite press release |url=http://www.moosehockey.com/news/press_releases2.php?press_id=500 |url-status=dead |title=Alex Auld: Your questions, his answers |publisher=Manitoba Moose |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116083505/http://www.moosehockey.com/news/press_releases2.php?press_id=500 |archive-date=November 16, 2006 |date=February 6, 2005}}

Auld returned to the NHL when play resumed for the 2005–06 season, initially as the backup to Cloutier. However, on November 20, 2005, Cloutier injured an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a collision with Mighty Ducks of Anaheim forward Rob Niedermayer.[http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/cloutierd.html Cloutier's injury history] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423025523/http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/cloutierd.html |date=April 23, 2016 }} The hope initially was that the injury would heal during the season, but on December 13, Cloutier opted for surgery, leaving Auld as Vancouver's starting goaltender.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2258145 |title=Canucks' Cloutier out for rest of regular season |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=December 13, 2005 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} He would not play in another game for the Moose, leaving the AHL team as its franchise leader in wins and shutouts.

As the Canucks' starter, Auld was reunited with former World Junior teammate Maxime Ouellet, who was one of three goaltenders the Canucks used to back him up (Mika Noronen{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canucks-trade-for-goalie-3-defencemen-1.578557 |title=Canucks trade for goalie, 3 defencemen |work=CBC Sports |date=March 9, 2006 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} and Rob McVicar{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/canucks-need-to-go-on-offence-to-fix-defence/article727822/ |title=Canucks need to go on offence to fix defence |last=Kerr |first=Graham |work=The Globe and Mail |date=February 14, 2006 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} were the others). Filling in admirably, Auld went on to capture the Cyclone Taylor trophy as team MVP, although the Canucks would miss the playoffs. Auld then joined Team Canada again, this time at the 2006 World Championships, where Canada finished a disappointing fourth, losing the bronze medal game to Finland.{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2006-nr076-en |title=Canada Finishes Fourth at 2006 Men's World Hockey Championship After Losing to Finland in Bronze Medal Game |publisher=Hockey Canada |date=May 20, 2006 |access-date=June 23, 2023}}

In June 2006, Auld was involved in a multi-player trade that sent him, Todd Bertuzzi and Bryan Allen to Florida in exchange for Roberto Luongo, Lukáš Krajíček and a sixth-round draft pick.{{cite web|url=http://www.canucks.com/news/pressreleases.asp?sectionID=31&id=595 |title=Canucks Acquire Roberto Luongo, Lukas Krajicek & Sixth Round Pick In 2006 Draft From Florida In Exchange For Allen, Auld & Bertuzzi |publisher=Vancouver Canucks |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629053409/http://www.canucks.com/news/pressreleases.asp?sectionID=31&id=595 |archive-date=June 29, 2006 |df=mdy }} Initially, Auld was expected to be the undisputed starter in Florida. However, the July 25 signing of Ed Belfour introduced some competition, and Belfour eventually won the job as starting goalie. Controversially, in October, Auld was hospitalized while "horsing around" with Belfour, with suspicions that Belfour had assaulted him.{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=0f79a93d-5a0f-490f-ae31-76d03c1b97a2 |date=November 2, 2006 |work=National Post |title=Auld Hospitalized |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111150708/http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=0f79a93d-5a0f-490f-ae31-76d03c1b97a2 |archive-date=January 11, 2016 }}

File:Alex Auld save 2011-11-25.JPG in 2011]]

After an unsuccessful season with Florida, Auld signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes on August 13, 2007.{{cite news |url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/95051?source=rss&dest=STY-95051 |title=Coyotes sign backup goalie |newspaper=East Valley Tribune |last=Paulson |first=Matt |date=August 13, 2007 |access-date=August 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926221832/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/95051?source=rss&dest=STY-95051 |archive-date=September 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} However, on a team with already with a wealth of goaltenders — Auld would compete for a job with David Aebischer and Mikael Tellqvist at the beginning of the season — Phoenix would pick up Ilya Bryzgalov off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks, leaving Auld as one of the odd goaltenders out. After nine appearances with Phoenix, on December 6, 2007, Auld was traded to the Boston Bruins for right winger Nate DiCasmirro and the Bruins' fifth-round pick in 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/bruins-trade-for-alex-auld-1.657832 |title=Bruins trade for Alex Auld |work=CBC Sports |date=December 6, 2007 |access-date=June 21, 2023}} Playing backup to Tim Thomas for the majority of 2007–08, he played well for the Bruins, especially after an injury sidelined Thomas.{{cite web |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2008/02/10/auld-regains-confidence-with-bruins/ |title=Auld regains confidence with Bruins |work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=February 10, 2008 |access-date=June 23, 2023}}

On July 1, 2008, Auld signed a two-year, $2 million deal with the Ottawa Senators as an unrestricted free agent.{{cite news |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/ottawa-senators-sign-goaltender-alex-auld-to-two-year-contract |title=Ottawa Senators Sign Goaltender Alex Auld to Two-Year Contract |work=The Hockey News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=July 1, 2008 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} He came within one second of recording a shutout in his Senators debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Stockholm, Sweden, surrendering a powerplay goal in the final moments of the game.{{cite web |title=Heatley, Auld give Sens a split in Sweden |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/heatley-auld-give-senators-split-in-sweden-1.745292 |access-date=October 5, 2008 |date=October 5, 2008 |publisher=CBC |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081007074146/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2008/10/05/hockey-ottawa-pittsburgh-sweden.html |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |url-status= live}} Though Senators' management expected him to serve primarily as a backup to Martin Gerber, Auld's strong play combined with Gerber's struggles resulted in Auld assuming the starting position early in the season. As the season progressed, Gerber was placed on waivers{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sens-gerber-waivers/ |title=Senators place Gerber on waivers |work=Sportsnet |agency=The Canadian Press |date=September 13, 2009 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} and ultimately was claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2009/03/04/maple-leafsgerber |title=Maple Leafs grab Gerber, Reitz off waiver wire |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=March 4, 2009 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} while rookie Brian Elliott would split the goaltending duties with Auld in Ottawa. He was expected to challenge for the starting position in 2009–10 with Pascal Leclaire, acquired by Ottawa from the Columbus Blue Jackets late at the 2008–09 trade deadline, but was traded in the off-season on July 8, 2009, to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2010.{{cite news|title=Stars acquire Auld, sign Fistric |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/hockey/hockey-wires/story/1133293.html |access-date=July 8, 2009 |date=July 8, 2009 |newspaper=Miami Herald |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905130347/http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/hockey/hockey-wires/story/1133293.html |archive-date=September 5, 2012}} During the season he struggled with the Stars and with Marty Turco and Kari Lehtonen in net for Dallas, Auld again was the odd man out and was placed on waivers and assigned to the AHL's Texas Stars on February 25, 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4947626 |title=Auld assigned to AHL's Texas Stars |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=February 25, 2010 |access-date=June 23, 2023}}

However, on February 27, 2010, Auld was claimed off re-entry waivers by the New York Rangers.{{Cite web|title=Goaltender Auld claimed from Stars|url=http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=519194|access-date=February 27, 2010|date=February 27, 2010|publisher=New York Rangers}} The Rangers had sought a veteran backup for Henrik Lundqvist after using two inexperienced goalies for the majority of the season.{{cite news |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/rangers-acquire-backup-goalie-alex-auld-off-waivers-from-dallas-stars |title=Rangers Acquire Backup Goalie Alex Auld off Waivers from Dallas Stars |work=The Hockey News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=February 27, 2010 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} An unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, on July 1, 2010, he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens as backup to Carey Price, replacing Jaroslav Halák who had been traded to St. Louis.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=5346128 |title=Source: Auld signs with Canadiens |work=ESPN |last=LeBrun |first=Pierre |date=July 1, 2010 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} He finished the season with a 6–2–2 record, a 2.64 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. Again an unrestricted free agent at season's end, on July 1, 2011, Auld re-joined the Ottawa Senators, signing a one-year, $1 million contract, replacing Curtis McElhinney as backup to Craig Anderson.{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/sens-ink-backup-goalie-alex-auld/article4259328/ |title=Sens ink backup goalie Alex Auld |work=The Globe and Mail |last=Yzerman |first=Chris |agency=The Canadian Press |date=July 1, 2011 |access-date=June 23, 2023}}

On July 23, 2012, Auld left the NHL and signed as a free agent with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL).{{cite web | url = http://www.eishockey-24.de/erste-bank-ehl/16334/ebel-nhl-star-alex-auld-neuer-torhueter-der-red-bulls/ | title = EBEL: NHL-Star Alex Auld neuer Torhüter der Red Bulls | language = de | date = 2012-07-23 | access-date = 2012-07-23 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130211073336/http://www.eishockey-24.de/erste-bank-ehl/16334/ebel-nhl-star-alex-auld-neuer-torhueter-der-red-bulls/ | archive-date = February 11, 2013 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }} He retired from hockey at the end of the season.

Auld first played for Team Canada at the junior level in the 2001 World Junior Championships helping claim the bronze medal. He made a senior competitive debut with Team Canada at the Swiss-based 2004 Spengler Cup, finishing in 3rd place.{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/canadians-turning-heads/article18280686/ |title=Canadians turning heads |work=The Globe and Mail |agency=The Canadian Press |date=December 28, 2004 |access-date=June 23, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2004-nr-127-en |title=National Men's Team Finish in Third Place at the Spengler Cup |publisher=Hockey Canada |date=December 30, 2004 |access-date=June 23, 2023}} He made his full IIHF debut for Canada at the 2006 World Championships, losing the bronze medal game to place fourth.

Auld became a broadcaster with Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver following his retirement, working weekend Canucks games for the station.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/vancouver-canucks-2018-19-broadcast-schedule/c-299842270 |title=Canucks and Sportsnet Announce 2018-19 Broadcast Schedule |publisher=Vancouver Canucks |date=August 27, 2018 |access-date=June 23, 2023}}

Auld was born in Cold Lake, Alberta, when his father was stationed out of CFB Cold Lake; however, he spent the majority of his adolescence in Thunder Bay, Ontario.{{cite web |url=https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-sports/statistics-prove-it-thunder-bay-is-pound-for-pound-greatest-hockey-city-399810 |title=Statistics prove it: Thunder Bay is pound-for-pound greatest hockey city |work=TBnewswatch.com |last=Dunick |first=Leith |date=January 7, 2015 |access-date=June 20, 2023}} Auld's wife is celebrity handbag and jewellery designer Melanie Auld. The couple have two children together.{{cite web |url=https://www.straight.com/life/604786/melanie-auld-follows-jewellery-design-dreams |title=Melanie Auld follows jewellery design dreams |work=The Georgia Straight |last=Rowland |first=Sarah |date=March 11, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Updates |url=http://melanieaulddesigns.blogspot.com/2011/09/updates.html |publisher=Melanie Auld Designs |date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=November 23, 2011}} The couple splits their time between Vancouver and Thunder Bay.{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=760aba52-c204-496d-b324-17b41e980b73 |title='It has to be a team-first mentality,' Auld says |last=Adami |first=Hugh |newspaper=Ottawa Citizen |date=July 24, 2008 |access-date=July 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729224152/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=760aba52-c204-496d-b324-17b41e980b73 |archive-date=July 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

• OHL Second All-Rookie Team - 1999
• OHL Third All-Star Team - 2001
• Cyclone Taylor Trophy (Vancouver Canucks MVP) - 2006
• Molson Cup (Vancouver Canucks three-star selection leader) - 2006

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{icehockeystats}}
• [http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/auld.html Auld's biography at Hockeygoalies.org]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Auld, Alex}}

Category:1981 births

Category:Boston Bruins players

Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders

Category:Columbia Inferno players

Category:Dallas Stars players

Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States

Category:EC Red Bull Salzburg players

Category:Florida Panthers draft picks

Category:Florida Panthers players

Category:Ice hockey people from Alberta

Category:Ice hockey people from Thunder Bay

Category:Living people

Category:Manitoba Moose players

Category:Montreal Canadiens players

Category:North Bay Centennials players

Category:Ottawa Senators players

Category:People from Cold Lake, Alberta

Category:Phoenix Coyotes players

Category:San Antonio Rampage players

Category:Vancouver Canucks players

Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen