Ray Emery

Early Life and Junior Career

Raymond Robert Nichols was born on September 28, 1982, in Hamilton, Ontario. His mother, Sharlene, was an overhead crane operator at a Dofasco steel mill when she became pregnant at age 20, and his biological father abandoned them. In 1984, Sharlene met Paul Emery, whom she married in 1986, and Paul adopted Raymond, who then took the Emery surname. The family, which included two younger brothers, Andrew and Nicholas, lived in a century-old farmhouse near the town of Cayuga. Emery excelled in school and was offered a scholarship, and he played many sports including golf, baseball, and soccer in addition to hockey.

Emery initially played defence but switched to goaltender at age nine due to a shortage at the position in his local league. His junior career began with difficulty, as he was cut from eight different teams before landing with the Junior C Dunnville Terriers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League at age 16, where he was named the league's Rookie of the Year. He was drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the fifth round of the 1999 OHL Draft. Emery split the 1999 to 2000 season between the Welland Cougars of the OHA and the Greyhounds before becoming a full-time OHL player in 2000-01.

During his last season in junior hockey in 2001-02, Ray Emery gained notoriety for his fighting ability. That same season, he was named the Ontario Hockey League's Goaltender of the Year after setting a record with 33 wins and a 2.73 goals-against average. Emery was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round, 99th overall, of the 2001 NHL entry draft. In his first professional season with the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League in 2002-03, he was suspended twice for on-ice incidents, once for bumping a referee and once for retaliating against a player who uttered a racial slur.

Professional Beginnings and Rise in Ottawa

The Ottawa Senators selected Emery 99th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He began his professional career with the AHL's Binghamton Senators in 2002-03, immediately becoming the starter and earning AHL All-Star, All-Rookie team, and team MVP honours. His first NHL season came in 2005-06 with Ottawa, where he set a record by winning his first nine career starts, surpassing Bob Froese's previous mark. In March of that season, he tied Bernie Parent's record from 1974 by winning twelve games in a single month, cementing his status as a rising talent in the league.

At the beginning of the 2005-06 NHL season, Ray Emery served as the backup to Dominik Hašek. When Hašek injured his groin during the 2006 Winter Olympics, Emery became Ottawa's de facto starter. The team claimed Mike Morrison off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers to serve as Emery's backup. Emery was the starting goaltender for the rest of the season, leading the Senators to the second round of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs. After that season, the Senators opted not to bring back Hašek and instead acquired Martin Gerber to compete with Emery for the starting position.

Stanley Cup Final Run and Controversy in Ottawa

The 2006-07 season was Emery's peak in Ottawa. Gerber began as the starter, but due to poor play, Emery replaced him in mid-November and never looked back. His aggressive style was highlighted by several on-ice incidents, including a three-game suspension in February 2007 for striking Montreal Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre in the face with his stick after Lapierre crashed into his net. Just twelve days later, he was involved in a famous line brawl against the Buffalo Sabres, fighting opposing goaltender Martin Biron and then absorbing punches from enforcer Andrew Peters, earning 22 penalty minutes in the altercation and receiving two five-minute majors for fighting.

Fans and media dubbed him "Sugar Ray" after the boxer Sugar Ray Robinson due to his reputation as a fighter. Teammate Brian McGrattan opined that if Emery were a position player, he would rank among the top five fighters in the NHL. Prior to the 2007 playoffs, Emery played his 100th NHL game in a win over Montreal. His strong play continued in the postseason as the Senators defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres each in five-game series en route to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final appearance, where they ultimately lost to the Anaheim Ducks in five games.

Emery became a restricted free agent after the final and filed for salary arbitration, but he agreed to a three-year, $9.5 million contract with Ottawa before the hearing. The 2007-08 campaign was derailed by a wrist injury suffered in the pre-season that limited him to just 40 minutes of exhibition play and forced him to miss several early games. Combined with widespread media reports of erratic off-ice behaviour, including alleged lateness, a stick-smashing incident, fights with teammates at practice, and rumours of alcohol abuse, his standing with the team deteriorated. In April 2008, general manager Bryan Murray announced Emery would not return, and he was placed on waivers in June, clearing them and becoming a free agent, ending his tumultuous tenure with the Senators.

KHL Stint, Major Injury, and Remarkable Comeback

Emery signed a one-year, $2 million contract with Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for the 2008-09 season. Due to league rules limiting foreign goaltenders, he played in only 65 percent of his team's 56 regular season games, splitting duties with former Colorado Avalanche goalie Vitaly Kolesnik. He finished as a top KHL goaltender with a .926 save percentage and a 1.86 goals-against average. His tenure was also marked by an incident where he chased a trainer who tried to put a sponsored cap on his head after giving up five goals in a game, highlighting his volatile temper.

He returned to the NHL in 2009-10, signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. In December 2009, he was placed on injured reserve for abdominal surgery, but a more severe diagnosis was discovered: avascular necrosis of the hip, the same condition that ended Bo Jackson's two-sport career. Doctors caught it early, and in April 2010, Emery underwent a successful, highly specialized surgery that grafted 13 centimetres of bone from his right fibula to his femur to restore blood supply. Jackson publicly praised Emery's drive to return, noting the immense hard work required and stating Emery had a "different makeup" to compete again at a professional level.

Emery became an unrestricted free agent in July 2010 as he recuperated, with his NHL future in serious doubt. His recovery was faster than doctors expected, and by November 2010 he was back on the ice in the butterfly position, telling TSN he didn't care if he could walk in seven years, he just wanted to play. In early 2011, he began skating with an OHL team, taking shots, training with Eric Lindros, and working with personal trainer Matt Nichol and goalie coach Eli Wilson, who said Emery was as sharp as he was before Ottawa's 2007 final run. In February 2011, he signed a one-year two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks, beginning a standard two-week conditioning stint in the AHL with Syracuse where he went 4-1-0 with a 1.98 GAA.

Return to NHL, Record Season, and Stanley Cup Victory

Emery was called up to the Anaheim Ducks in late February 2011 upon completion of his conditioning stint. He made his debut on March 11 to a standing ovation against the Phoenix Coyotes, replacing Dan Ellis, and won six straight starts to begin his Anaheim career, falling one shy of the team record held by Guy Hebert. He was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week for March 14 after going 2-0-0 with a 0.99 GAA and a .968 save percentage. He finished the regular season with a 7-2-0 record, a 2.28 GAA, and a .926 save percentage in ten appearances, leading the Ducks into the playoffs and garnering significant media attention for his comeback story.

His comeback was recognized with a nomination for the 2011 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy from both the Anaheim chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and the NHL, making him one of three finalists for the award honouring dedication and perseverance. After a successful try-out, Emery signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2011-12 season. He compiled a 15-9-4 record and was again nominated by the Blackhawks for the Masterton Trophy, though he did not make the final three. The Blackhawks were impressed enough to sign him to a one-year, $1.15 million extension for the 2012-13 season.

That lockout-shortened season was a career highlight. Emery made NHL history by becoming the first goaltender to start a season with ten straight wins, eventually improving the record to 12-0-0, with the twelfth win being a shutout against Calgary in his 200th NHL start. On April 10, he recorded his third shutout in five games, helping him to third in the NHL with a 1.90 GAA. He finished the season with a 17-1-0 record, a career-best 1.94 GAA, and a .922 save percentage. Emery and teammate Corey Crawford won the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals, and the Blackhawks won the Presidents' Trophy. Emery won his first Stanley Cup when the Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins in six games in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, proving his previous injuries were no longer a concern.

Final NHL Seasons, Mentorship, and Retirement

On July 5, 2013, Emery returned to the Philadelphia Flyers on a one-year, $1.65 million deal to serve as Steve Mason's backup. On November 1, he participated in another notable goalie fight, battling Washington's Braden Holtby who was uninterested in fighting. For the 2013-14 season, he was 9-12-2 with a 2.96 GAA in 28 appearances. He re-signed for the 2014-15 season for $1 million, posting a 10-11-7 record with a 3.06 GAA and a save percentage under .900 in 31 appearances, marking a decline in his on-ice performance.

After the 2015 season, he attended Tampa Bay Lightning training camp on a professional tryout in September 2015 but was released. He later trained with the AHL's Ontario Reign, affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, before signing a professional tryout agreement with the Toronto Marlies in December 2015. With the Marlies, Emery was widely praised for his leadership and mentorship of younger players. Chicago's Corey Crawford, after recording his league-leading seventh shutout in January 2016, credited Emery for transforming his work habits and preparation, stating he had never seen a goalie so focused and ready for a game and that Emery's routine helped him mentally prepare. Marlies assistant GM Kyle Dubas also cited Emery for his positive influence on the team.

In February 2016, Emery signed with Adler Mannheim of the German DEL for the remainder of their season, thus ending his Marlies tryout. In late March 2016, he signed a tryout and then a contract for the remainder of the NHL season with the Philadelphia Flyers. At the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, Ray Emery retired from professional hockey. His final NHL career regular season statistics included 287 games played, a record of 145-86-28, 16 shutouts, 4 assists, a 2.70 goals-against average, and a .906 save percentage over parts of eleven seasons.

Personal Life, Public Persona, and Death

Emery's aggressive playing style and willingness to fight, rare for a goaltender, earned him the nicknames "Razor" and "Sugar Ray" from fans and teammates. He was a boxing enthusiast and decorated his goalie masks with images of fighters like Joe Frazier, Bernard Hopkins, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, and the fictional Rocky Balboa. His time in Ottawa was accompanied by significant media scrutiny over his behaviour, including reports of a road rage incident involving a senior citizen, a car accident that caused a missed flight to a road game, a fight on the street in public, and rumours of recreational drug use. When asked about the speculation, Emery responded, "I'm not a saint and I'm not in jail, either," and he denied having a drug problem when directly asked by the team's general manager.

In later years, Emery stated he had learned from past mistakes and had undergone anger management classes and eight weeks of behavioural counselling. Former Senators coach John Paddock, who was later partially responsible for bringing Emery to Philadelphia, expressed regret over how he was handled in Ottawa. In June 2010, he began dating Canadian singer Keshia Chanté, starring as her love interest in the "Test Drive" music video. He proposed to her on her birthday in June 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas, and they were set to marry in June 2017. His former Ottawa teammate Jason Spezza was a close friend, with Emery serving as a groomsman at Spezza's wedding.

Ray Emery died on July 15, 2018, at the age of 35. He drowned in Lake Ontario near Hamilton Harbour after going missing earlier that morning, and his death was ruled an accidental drowning. The hockey community reacted with an outpouring of grief. His former fiancée, Keshia Chanté, performed the national anthems at that game while wearing his Senators jersey. Former teammate Jason Spezza, then with the Stars, was visibly emotional on the bench during the tribute, a proof to their deep friendship and the impact of Emery's loss.

Questions about Ray Emery

How did Ray Emery die?

Ray Emery died on July 15, 2018, at the age of 35. He drowned in Lake Ontario near Hamilton Harbour in an incident that was ruled an accidental drowning. His body was recovered by the Hamilton Police Service marine unit after he was reported missing just after 6:00 am. The tragic news shocked the hockey community and his many fans across Canada, leading to numerous tributes from former teams and teammates.

Why was Ray Emery such a controversial figure in Ottawa?

Emery's tenure in Ottawa was marked by both on-ice success and off-ice controversy. Media reports detailed incidents including a road rage encounter with a senior citizen, a car accident that led to a missed team flight, public fights, chronic lateness to practice, a stick-smashing incident during practice, fights with teammates at practice, and rumoured alcohol abuse. In 2008, speculation swirled about involvement with a "bad crowd" and recreational drugs, which he neither confirmed nor denied, famously stating, "I'm not a saint and I'm not in jail, either. This behaviour contributed to the Senators waiving him in 2008.

What NHL records did Ray Emery hold?

Ray Emery held two notable NHL records. In 2005-06, he set a record for wins to start an NHL goaltending career by winning his first nine games, moving ahead of Bob Froese. More prominently, in the 2012-13 season with Chicago, he became the first goaltender in league history to start a season with 12 consecutive victories, finishing that remarkable campaign with a 17-1-0 record. He also tied Bernie Parent's 1974 record for most wins in a month (12) in March 2006.

How is Ray Emery remembered by former teammates and the Senators?

Emery is remembered fondly for his competitiveness, resilience, and mentoring spirit. The Ottawa Senators honoured him with a moving video tribute during a 2018 home game, which brought his close friend Jason Spezza to tears on the opposing bench. Former teammates like Corey Crawford credited Emery with revolutionizing his work ethic and preparation, saying Emery's focus taught him how to be ready for games. His legacy is that of a fierce competitor who battled through adversity to reach the sport's pinnacle, leaving a lasting impression on those who played with him.

What team did Ray Emery win the Stanley Cup with?

Ray Emery won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013. He was a key part of the team during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, where he posted a stellar 17-1-0 record. That same season, he and teammate Corey Crawford won the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals. The Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins in six games in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final to secure the championship. This victory marked Emery's first and only Stanley Cup title during his eleven-season NHL career.

What serious injury did Ray Emery overcome and how?

Ray Emery overcame avascular necrosis of the hip, a condition that can end athletic careers. He was diagnosed in December 2009 while playing for the Philadelphia Flyers after initially having surgery for a torn abdominal muscle. To treat it, he underwent a complex bone graft procedure where surgeons removed 13 centimetres from his right fibula and grafted it to his femur to restore proper blood supply. His determined recovery, which included extensive rehabilitation, allowed him to return to the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks in 2011. This remarkable comeback earned him a nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for dedication and perseverance.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.