Andrew Raycroft was born May 4, 1980 in Belleville, Ontario. The fifth round, 135th overall selection of the Boston Bruins in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Raycroft is a graduate of the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs (1999-00) and Sudbury Wolves (1997-1999). The OHL's Most Valuable Player in 1999-00, Raycroft became the first goaltender in 50 years to earn that honour and was named the top goaltender in the CHL. Following a MVP season in 1999-00, Raycroft joined the Bruins AHL affiliate in Providence for the 2000-01 season. Even though he spent the majority of the year in Providence, the Belleville native suited up for 15 games with the Bruins that year and over the course of the next two seasons was a workhorse with the baby Bruins. After the better part of three seasons with Providence, Raycroft won the starting job for the Bruins in 2003-04. In his first full season with the Bruins, Raycroft finished with a 29-18-9 record, a 2.05 GAA and went on to capture the Calder Trophy as the league's top Rookie.
BORN: Belleville, Ontario, May 4, 1980.
HOME:
HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 150-174 lbs.
UNIFORM #: 1 (Boston, Providence 2002-03), 30 (Providence).
CATCHES: Left
LAST JUNIOR TEAM: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL).
CHILDHOOD FAVOURITE GOALTENDER: Patrick Roy. Raycroft's favourite team was the Montreal Canadiens, according to an interview with John Buccigross. "I grew up in Ontario and everyone liked Toronto, so I wanted to go against the grain."
STYLE:
STRENGTHS: Outstanding reflexes, a quick glove and excellent footspeed allow him to make the first save effectively.
WEAKNESSES: Must improve his consistency.