Scott Clemmensen
Clemmensen is best remembered for his stint as starting goalie during the 2009-10 season, where he filled in admirably for an injured Martin Broduer. Unlike the rest of the goalies on this list, he found success in the NHL – just mostly outside the state of New Jersey.
Clemmensen had a successful college career, where he backstopped Boston College to an NCAA Championship. He turned pro after college and spent four seasons in Albany. Clemmensen finally became Brodeur’s backup in the 2005-06 season for 16 games. He left the organization a couple seasons later and had a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs that fans remain a bit salty about before returning to New Jersey. Clemmensen was third on the depth chart, below Brodeur and Kevin Weekes. He was called up to New Jersey after Brodeur tore his bicep, mostly as a warm body.
After splitting starts with Weekes, Clemmensen emerged as the Devils’ interim number one goalie. He held that position until Brodeur’s return. Clemmensen finished the season with a .917 sv% in 40 games. He even had a New York Times piece written about him.
Clemmensen was sent back to Lowell, and immediately started weighing his options for playing in the NHL again. His teammates voted him the Devils’ Unsung Hero after the season ended.
His play during Brodeur’s absence turned heads around the league, and he parlayed that success into a contract with the Florida Panthers. Though New Jersey wanted him back, he knew he’d have a bigger role with the Panthers.
During his time in Sunrise, he played backup to Tomas Vokoun, Jose Theodore, Tim Thomas, and Roberto Luongo. He briefly took over as starter in 2012, including a couple games against the Devils in the playoffs.
After five seasons in Florida, Clemmensen returned to the Devils organization. He battled Kinkaid for the backup spot, which Kinkaid handily won. Clemmensen returned to Albany and retired at season’s end.
Clemmensen is currently the goaltending development coach for the Binghamton Devils.