Overview

Ben Scrivens (born September 11, 1986, in Spruce Grove) is a Canadian-born ice hockey goaltender who rose from the university ranks to play in the National Hockey League. Undrafted out of college, Scrivens followed a nontraditional route to professional hockey and is best known for a single-game performance that set an NHL record for saves in a shutout.

Early life and amateur career

Raised in Alberta, Scrivens played junior and university hockey before turning professional. He attended Cornell University, where he competed in NCAA Division I hockey and established himself as a reliable collegiate goaltender. His steady development at the university level attracted pro interest even though he was not selected in an NHL draft.

Professional career

After college Scrivens signed as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in 2010 and split time between the American Hockey League and the NHL early in his career. He later reached other NHL clubs and had stints as both a starter and a backup. At different points he played for the Edmonton Oilers among other teams, demonstrating the mobility and resilience common to many professional goaltenders.

Playing style and role

Scrivens is generally described as a technically sound, positionally aware goaltender with good reflexes. He has served teams in a variety of roles — from depth option in the minors to NHL starter for stretches — and has been praised for preparedness and composure under pressure. His path to the NHL is often cited as an example of how undrafted players can build sustainable pro careers.

Notable game and records

On January 29, 2014, Scrivens recorded a shutout in which he stopped 59 shots, setting an NHL record for the most saves in a single shutout. That performance received widespread attention and helped cement his reputation for resilience in high-work games. The feat earned him informal nicknames and became a frequent highlight in summaries of his career, sometimes noted playfully as "ScrVezina" among fans and commentators.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Undrafted player who reached the NHL through steady development and persistence.
  • Holds the NHL record for most saves in a shutout (59 saves).
  • Profile often used to illustrate the depth of talent in NCAA hockey and the value of late-blooming goaltenders.

For more context on teams and local connections, see regional or team pages such as local coverage of Spruce Grove and broader Canadian hockey resources (Canada hockey). Additional team histories and player transactions may be found through club pages like those for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers.