No American-born goaltender has won or played in more games in the National Hockey League than John "Breezer" Vanbiesbrouck.

After going unselected in the Ontario Hockey League's midget draft, Vanbiesbrouck tried out for the league's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He made the team and had great success in his rookie campaign. That season (1980-81), he won 31 games for the Greyhounds and earned the OHL's Dinty Moore Trophy as the rookie goalie with the lowest goals-against average.

His performance caught the ye of the New York Rangers, which selected him in the fourth round (72nd overall) of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. That same year, he made his NHL debut as an emergency call up. In the game, the 18-year old made 30 saves and helped the Rangers earn a 2-1 victory.

After one more season with Sault Ste. Marie, Vanbiesbrouck was sent to the Rangers' Central Hockey League affiliate, the Tulsa Oilers. In his rookie season with Tulsa, he earned CHL First Team All-Star honors, the Terry Sawchuk Award for fewest goals against and the Tommy Ivan Award as the CHL's most valuable player. The following season (1984-85), he was promoted to the Rangers full time.

Over his 20-year NHL career, Vanbiesbrouck spent time with the Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils. He played in 882 regular-season games and compiled a career record of 374-346-119. His 374 wins and 882 games played rank first among American-born goaltenders in NHL history. His career included 40 shutouts and a 2.98 goals-against average. In 109 Stanley Cup playoff games, Vanbiesbrouck went 28-38, with five shutouts and a 2.67 GAA.

In 1986, Vanbiesbrouck was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender for the 1985-86 season. He had a 31-21-5 record, three shutouts and a 3.32 GAA in that campaign. He also helped the Rangers win the President's Trophy in 1991-92.

When Vanbiesbrouck was left unprotected in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft, the Florida Panthers made him their first pick. He quickly became the face of the young franchise. During his first season with the club, he recorded 21 wins and 2.53 GAA en route to being named an NHL Second Team All-Star and runner-up for the Vezina Trophy.

In 1995-96, Vanbiesbrouck led the Panthers on an improbable run to the Stanley Cup finals. During his five seasons with the team, he was named an all-star three times (1994, 1996-1997) and never had a GAA above 2.87.

Vanbiesbrouck continued his superb play after he signed as a free agent with the Flyers in 1998. He won 27 games and posted a 2.18 GAA in 1998-99. In the 1999-2000 season, Vanbiesbrouck compiled a 2.20 GAA and won 25 games for Philadelphia.

Following his retirement as a player in 2002, Vanbiesbrouck has remained involved in hockey. He bought a share of his old junior team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and served as head coach and general manager of the team. After stepping away from the Greyhounds, he worked with the Belle Tire elite youth hockey organization in Detroit.

On the international scene, Vanbiesbrouck has played for Team USA in two world junior championships, four world championships and two Canada Cups. He was also part of the U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that competed at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.