Andrew Raycroft's journey in professional hockey began when he was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round, 135th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. His early years were spent honing his skills in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Kingston Frontenacs, where he demonstrated potential as a goaltender. Raycroft's transition to the NHL was marked by a gradual progression through the ranks, starting with his debut for the Bruins during the 2000-2001 season.
Raycroft's breakthrough came in the 2003-2004 NHL season. As the starting goaltender for the Bruins, he played 57 games and posted an impressive 2.05 goals-against average (GAA) and a .926 save percentage. His performance earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie, highlighting his emergence as a reliable presence in the net.
The 2004-2005 NHL season was canceled due to a lockout, and Raycroft spent the time playing in Europe. Upon returning to the NHL, he faced challenges in maintaining his previous form. The 2005-2006 season saw him struggle with consistency, leading to a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Finnish goaltender Tuukka Rask.
In Toronto, Raycroft became the starting goaltender for the 2006-2007 season. He set a franchise record for the Maple Leafs with 37 wins, although his overall performance was mixed, with a 2.99 GAA and a .894 save percentage. The following season, his role diminished as he shared duties with Vesa Toskala, and his performance declined further.
Raycroft's career continued with a move to the Colorado Avalanche for the 2008-2009 season, where he served primarily as a backup goaltender. He then signed with the Vancouver Canucks for the 2009-2010 season, again in a backup role, where he posted a 2.42 GAA and a .911 save percentage over 21 games.
In 2010, Raycroft joined the Dallas Stars, where he played for two seasons. His time with the Stars was marked by limited playing opportunities, and he spent part of the 2011-2012 season with their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars.
After leaving the NHL, Raycroft continued his career overseas, playing for Italian club Milano Rossoblu and later for IF Björklöven in Sweden. His professional career concluded in Europe, where he retired from professional hockey.
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