In 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks had a dynasty brewing. But they didn't know it yet. They just wanted to win their first Stanley Cup in nearly five decades.
And the team had its list of heroes and staples for that entire legendary run throughout the 2010s. But other players weren't exactly on the radar long. And that was the case with Antti Niemi, who enjoyed some historic performances throughout the 2010 playoffs.
But, by the following season, he was suiting up for someone else and he never played for the Hawks again. During the 2009-10 season, Cristobal Huet was, just barely, the Hawks 1A goaltender. But when the playoffs rolled around, they switched to Niemi, who played in 22 postseason games.
That said, Niemi dominated when he got a chance in the regular season. While Huet looked solid, posting an 0.895 save percentage, a 2.50 GAA, and four shutouts, Niemi was at another level. He finished the year with 26 wins in 35 starts, with a 0.912 save percentage, a 2.25 GAA, and seven shutouts.
Antti Niemi became 'the guy' in the net for the Blackhawks 2010 playoff run
When the playoffs rolled around, Niemi ultimately got the call, and he started in 22 games, winning 16 of them and posting two shutouts. He also finished with a 2.63 GAA, and a 0.910 save percentage, helping the Blackhawks put themselves in position to win the Stanley Cup Final in legendary fashion.
Niemi became a free agent after that season and never again wore a Blackhawks sweater. He signed with the San Jose Sharks on September 2nd, and played most of his career out in California. In five seasons there, he logged 296 starts, with 25 shutouts, a 0.917 save percentage, and a 2.40 GAA.
He also made stops in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Florida, and Montreal, hanging around the league until the 2018-19 season.
Much like Huet, Niemi won't be cracking the lineup for any Centennial Team in Blackhawks history. But it doesn't undermine how well he played in 2009-10, in both the regular and postseason. Yeah, the Hawks were a great team, but Niemi helped turn them into a champion.
And in the first half of the 2020s, where the Hawks are a shell of that dynasty, he at least gives fans something to look back on, as the next generation of players work toward building a championship contender in the Windy City.
