Mathieu Garon
A goaltender whose career was a testament to resilience, bouncing back from injuries to backstop teams deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Born 1978 (age 48)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: January 9·Generation X
Biography
Mathieu Garon carved out a solid, journeyman's career in the NHL crease, defined by flashes of brilliance and unwavering professionalism. Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1996, he spent years honing his craft in the minors before finally seizing a starting role with the Los Angeles Kings. His most memorable stint came with the Edmonton Oilers, where his steady play was a cornerstone of their unexpected run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final. Though never a perennial All-Star, Garon was the quintessential reliable backup and occasional starter, valued for his calm demeanor and ability to step in under pressure. His path took him through six NHL cities, a testament to the respect he commanded in locker rooms, always ready to compete and contribute wherever he landed.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Mathieu was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mathieu Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Mathieu's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
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
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played a key role as a goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers during their run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final.
- Recorded 23 shutouts over his 13-season NHL career with six different teams.
- Won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2003 IIHF World Championship.
- Posted a career-best .913 save percentage in the 2007-08 season with the Los Angeles Kings.
Did You Know?
He was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, the team he grew up watching in his hometown of Chandler, Quebec.
Garon and his wife named their son Jaxon, with the 'X' representing the Roman numeral ten, a nod to his jersey number.
He played his final NHL season in 2012-13 with the Tampa Bay Lightning before retiring.
“My mask is my identity; I guard the net, not the spotlight.”
