Alex Auld
A journeyman goaltender whose steady presence in the crease anchored nine different NHL franchises across a decade of professional hockey.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: January 7·Millennials
Biography
Alex Auld carved out a solid, if nomadic, career as a professional goaltender, defined by adaptability and resilience. Standing 6'5", his imposing frame was a fixture in nets across North America, from his initial selection by the Florida Panthers in 1999 to his final NHL game with the Ottawa Senators in 2012. While never a perennial starter, Auld was the quintessential reliable backup and occasional number one, stepping in to provide stability for teams in transition. His path saw him play for nearly a third of the league's teams, including a memorable stint with his hometown Vancouver Canucks. Beyond the NHL, he represented Canada on the international stage at the World Championships, showcasing his skills against the world's best. Auld's career is a testament to the value of a prepared professional, always ready to answer the call.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Alex was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alex Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Alex's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played in the NHL for nine different teams over a ten-year career spanning from 2002 to 2012.
- Represented Team Canada at the 2006 IIHF World Championship.
- Was a member of Canada's gold medal-winning team at the 2001 World Junior Championships.
- Appeared in 135 regular season NHL games, recording 20 shutouts across his career.
Did You Know?
He was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers but made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks.
Auld won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for the AHL's lowest team goals-against average in 2003-04 with the Manitoba Moose.
He is one of only a handful of goalies to have played for both the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins.
After retiring, he worked as a hockey analyst for Sportsnet in Canada.
“My job is to stop the puck, and I've done that for a lot of teams.”
