The retirement of Benoit Allaire, the longtime New York Rangers goalie coach, marks the end of a remarkable 29-year career in the NHL. Allaire's impact on the league is undeniable, having played a pivotal role in shaping some of the NHL's top goaltenders. His journey began with the Montreal Canadiens in 1996, where he worked with young talents like Jose Theodore and Tomas Vokoun, who were overshadowed by Jocelyn Thibault's early success. Despite this, Allaire's influence was evident in Theodore and Vokoun's long and successful NHL careers, with Vokoun playing in an impressive 700 games.
Allaire's move to the Phoenix Coyotes in 1997-98 brought him together with Nikolai Khabibulin, who, despite allowing the most goals in the NHL that season, saw a significant improvement in his save percentage after a year under Allaire's guidance. This marked a turning point in Khabibulin's career, as he reached a .923 save percentage in 63 games of the 1998-99 season, the highest in his 18-year NHL career.
However, Allaire's greatest legacy lies with the New York Rangers. He took over goalie coach duties for Henrik Lundqvist in the 2005-06 season, and the results were immediate. Lundqvist finished the year as a Vezina Trophy finalist and fourth in Calder Trophy voting, with a .922 save percentage in 53 games. This set the stage for Lundqvist's long-standing success, as he became a perennial Vezina candidate with save percentages consistently above .920.
As Lundqvist's career began to fade, Allaire's focus shifted to finding his next star. This led to the emergence of Igor Shesterkin, who has seamlessly taken over Lundqvist's spot on annual Vezina ballots. Shesterkin's career .917 save percentage in 325 games, including a .912 in 51 games this season, is a testament to Allaire's ability to mold goaltenders into long-term, NHL starters.
Allaire's impact extends beyond individual goaltenders. He has worked with a diverse range of goalies, including Kevin Weekes, Cam Talbot, Alexandar Georgiev, and Antti Raanta. His name is synonymous with excellence in NHL circles, and the Rangers will undoubtedly feel the absence of their Director of Goaltending. Allaire's promotion to a full-time, director role in the 2024-25 season, alongside the promotion of Hartford Wolf Pack goalie coach Jeff Malcolm, signals a smooth transition as the team prepares for life after Allaire.
Allaire's retirement is a significant loss for the NHL, but his influence on the game will endure through the goaltenders he has mentored. His contributions to the sport, particularly in the development of top-tier goaltenders, will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
