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Ladislav Smid began the season without a shot on goal for the first nine games. Scott and I noted it during a number of GD posts. We also wondered what the record was for fewest shots on goal during a season and if Smid had a chance of setting the mark. I initially thought that the answer would be some defensive rock in the mold of Jim Schoenfeld or Rod Langway. While Langway did card a few seasons with less than forty shots, he's not even close to holding this record. It turns out that I overlooked a major category of NHL'er, and that category owns all of the records.
It soon didn't matter as Smid tuned up the shootin' stick and registered fifteen shots in his next sixteen games to get himself well clear of any shots-related infamy. I decided to find the answer to our question anyway, so after some research, I've got the list.
The winner? Stu Grimson, in a landslide. His 1998-99 season with Anaheim is the stuff of legend. .13 shots per game for 10 shots on the year. Grimson somehow managed three goals on those ten shots for the sniper's 30%. He had no assists, but was his +/- was even for the season. He averaged 2.16 penalty minutes per game.
Listed below are the six players that registered the fewest shots on goal in a single season since 1973-74. The common thread? They were all handy with their fists.
Player |
Season |
Team |
GP |
SOG |
Stu Grimson |
1998-99 |
Anaheim |
73 |
10 |
Dave Semenko |
1987-88 |
Toronto |
70 |
12 |
Stu Grimson |
1992-93 |
Chicago |
78 |
14 |
Eric Godard |
2007-08 |
Calgary |
74 |
14 |
Darren Langdon |
1997-98 |
New York |
70 |
15 |
Ken Baumgartner |
1998-99 |
Boston |
69 |
15 |
Derek Boogaard |
2005-06 |
Minnesota |
65 |
15 |
Grimson also registered seasons of:
77 GP - 34 SOG
72 GP - 26 SOG
75 GP - 17 SOG
82 GP - 17 SOG
The Grim Reaper finished his career with 771 games played and 220 shots on goal.
The least amount of shots on goal from a non-enforcer?
That would be Jassen Cullimore, while playing with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2006-07 season. Cullimore appeared in 65 games and had only 17 shots.