Roberto Luongo

Roberto Luongo is a Canadian goalie on the Vancouver Canucks.

Luongo was originally drafted 4th overall in 1997, by the New York Islanders. He would play only 24 games with the Islanders before being traded to Florida in 2000. In Florida, Luongo began to show signs of the high talent he would later display, posting a then-career best 2.43 GAA in 2003-04. He was traded to Vancouver in a blockbuster trade during the 2006 offseason, and, with the Canucks, he was finally able to play on a solid team which gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents. His first season with the Canucks, he posted 47 wins in 76 games, as well as a 2.29 GAA. In 2008, Luongo was the center of controversy, as he was named team captain – the first goalie ever to receive the honor. He is not allowed to wear the C on his jersey, and does not perform many of the duties of captain, such as ceremonial face-offs or conversing with the officials. In 2008-09, during an injury-shortened season, Luongo set a franchise record with 9 shutouts, backstopping the Canucks to the Northwest Division title and the 3rd seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Luongo has played for Canada six times, winning five medals. He won gold medalas at the 2003 and 2004 World Championships, as well as the 2004 World Cup. He won silver medals at the ’99 World Juniors and the 2005 World Championships.