Jacques Cloutier, a goaltender hailing from Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, embarked on his professional hockey journey after being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Selected in the sixth round as the 55th overall pick, Cloutier began his career in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Sabres, where he played a significant portion of his career.
Cloutier's NHL debut came during the 1981-82 season with the Buffalo Sabres. Over the years, he established himself as a reliable backup goaltender, providing solid performances when called upon. His tenure with the Sabres lasted until the 1988-89 season, during which he played in a total of 255 games. Known for his agility and quick reflexes, Cloutier was often relied upon to step in during crucial moments, offering stability in the net.
In 1989, Cloutier was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, where he continued to serve as a dependable backup goaltender. His time with the Blackhawks was marked by consistent performances, contributing to the team's depth in the goaltending position. Cloutier played with the Blackhawks until the 1990-91 season, appearing in 53 games over two seasons.
Following his stint in Chicago, Cloutier joined the Quebec Nordiques for the 1991-92 season. Returning to his home province of Quebec, he played two seasons with the Nordiques, adding experience and depth to their goaltending roster. During his time with the Nordiques, Cloutier appeared in 47 games, continuing to demonstrate his skills and reliability as a goaltender.
Throughout his NHL career, Cloutier was known for his professionalism and ability to perform under pressure. While he primarily served as a backup goaltender, his role was crucial in supporting the starting goaltenders and providing the necessary depth for his teams. Cloutier's career in the NHL spanned over a decade, during which he played a total of 255 regular-season games, recording a goals-against average of 3.64 and a save percentage of .877.
After retiring from professional play, Cloutier transitioned into coaching, bringing his wealth of experience and knowledge of the game to various teams. He served as a goaltending coach for several NHL teams, including the Colorado Avalanche and the Calgary Flames, helping to develop and mentor young goaltenders.
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