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Ken Wregget
Ken Wregget
Ken Wregget
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Kenneth Lee Wregget (born March 25, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender.

Key Information

His professional hockey career spans nearly 20 years, playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, and Detroit Red Wings.

He won the Stanley Cup in 1992 while with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as backup to Tom Barrasso.

Playing career

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Wregget played for three seasons with the Lethbridge Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and won the WHL Top Goaltender Award in 1984.[1] In 1983, he joined the St. Catharines Saints, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, after the Maple Leafs selected him in the third round of the 1982 NHL entry draft, 45th overall. He split time for two seasons between St. Catharines and the Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs

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He made his NHL debut during the 1983-84 season while still playing junior with the Lethbridge Hurricanes suiting up for three games for the Maple Leafs. He turned a lot of heads during his first game in the league posting a jaw-dropping 48-save performance against the Hartford Whalers to record his first NHL victory.[2] He then split time the next two seasons between St. Catharines and the Maple Leafs. In 1984–85 he played 23 games for the Leafs while Tim Bernhardt handled the bulk of the work. He then got into 30 games the next year as part of a three-netminder carousel that also featured Bernhardt and veteran Don Edwards. The 1986–87 season was his first full year in the NHL with Wregget taking over the starting duties for the Maple Leafs with another youngster, Allan Bester, completing the tandem. The following year the Leafs used the same pair for the bulk of the work with Wregget appearing in 56 games for the second consecutive season. In 1988–89, Bester, like he had the year before, posted better numbers than him, and the Maple Leafs decided to go with Bester. Wregget was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a pair of first round draft picks in the 1989 NHL entry draft, and he joined incumbent Ron Hextall in the Philadelphia crease.

Philadelphia Flyers

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During Wregget's first full year with the team, starting goaltender Ron Hextall battled a series of injuries and was limited to just eight games, pushing Wregget into carrying the load. Wregget played 51 games for Philadelphia before resuming the back up role the following season when Hextall returned to health. In 1991–92, with youngster Dominic Roussel impressing during an extended look from the Flyers, Wregget was shipped to the cross-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins as part of a blockbuster transaction, along with Kjell Samuelsson and Rick Tocchet in exchange for Mark Recchi.[1]

Pittsburgh Penguins

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Wregget was generally backup to Penguins goaltender Tom Barrasso, although Wregget was regarded as a solid goaltender in his own right and played well in long stretches over the next few years when the oft injured Barrasso missed time. Wregget won his only career Stanley Cup as a member of the 1992 Penguins.

Wregget's best season came in 1994–95 when he played in 38 games and compiled a 25–9–2 record with a 3.21 goals against average and a .903 save percentage while also leading the NHL in wins. In 1996, he faced the first penalty shot ever awarded during an overtime period in NHL playoff history. He stopped Washington Capitals star Joé Juneau, extending what was the third-longest game in NHL history, the longest game since 1936. The Penguins finally won 3–2 in the fourth overtime period.

Wregget also shared a majority of the work for the Penguins during the 1996–97 season with Barrasso again injured, going 17-17-6 and getting all five playoff starts for the Penguins that season. In 1997–98 with Barrasso healthy (and having a career year himself) and the emergence of Peter Skudra and Jean-Sébastien Aubin as legitimate back-up options, Wregget was made expendable and thus traded to the Calgary Flames after the 1998 season ended with Dave Roche for German Titov and Todd Hlushko. Despite generally being the back-up in Pittsburgh, he still as of 2015 ranks fourth in Penguins' history in games played 212 (behind Marc-André Fleury, Barrasso, and Denis Herron), third in wins with 104 (behind Fleury and Barrasso), and tied for fifth in shutouts with 6 (behind Fleury, Barrasso, Les Binkley, Johan Hedberg, and tied with Aubin).

Calgary Flames

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In Calgary, Wregget provided veteran leadership in goal during a season of transition. The 34-year old Wregget was one of six netminders to suit up for the Flames that year with many of them getting their first taste of NHL action including young Jean-Sébastien Giguère, who would go on to have a sixteen-year career in the NHL. Wregget played 27 games for the Flames – one off the team lead – and posted 10 wins for the club. His 2.53 goals against average represented the best mark of his career. At season's end, he was a free agent and left the club to take one more shot at the Stanley Cup.

Detroit Red Wings

[edit]

As an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, Wregget signed a two-year deal with the powerful Detroit Red Wings where he backed-up Chris Osgood. Wregget won 14 games for the Wings and posted a 2.66 goals against average. However, in 2000 he lost the backup job to Manny Legace, and so he and the Red Wings reached a deal to send him to the IHL.

Manitoba Moose

[edit]

Wregget, who was born in Brandon, Manitoba, played his final season of professional hockey with the Manitoba Moose of the International Hockey League after the Red Wings loaned the veteran netminder to the club. With the Moose Wregget shared the goaltending duties with Johan Hedberg who would jump to the NHL and join Wregget's former club, the Pittsburgh Penguins for a surprising playoff run. Wregget won 11 games for Manitoba and posted a team-best two shutouts before hanging up his pads for good at seasons end.

In 2009, he was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.[3]

Personal life

[edit]

Wregget lived in Cold Lake, Alberta, for a period of time while growing up and attended Grand Centre High School.

He and his ex-wife have a daughter, Courtney, and a son, Matthew.

He is the owner of "31" Bar and Grille in Collier Township, Pennsylvania.[4]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1981–82 Lethbridge Broncos WHL 36 19 12 0 1713 118 1 4.13 — 3 2 0 84 3 0 2.14 —
1982–83 Lethbridge Broncos WHL 48 26 17 1 2696 157 1 3.49 — 20 14 5 1154 58 1 3.02 —
1983–84 Lethbridge Broncos WHL 53 32 20 0 3053 161 0 3.16 — 4 1 3 210 18 0 5.14 —
1983–84 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 3 1 1 1 165 14 0 5.09 .891 — — — — — — — —
1984–85 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 23 2 15 3 1278 103 0 4.84 .863 — — — — — — — —
1984–85 St. Catharines Saints AHL 12 2 8 1 688 48 0 4.19 .865 — — — — — — — —
1985–86 St. Catharines Saints AHL 18 8 9 0 1058 78 1 4.42 .863 — — — — — — — —
1985–86 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 30 9 13 4 1566 113 0 4.33 .875 10 6 4 607 32 1 3.16 .901
1986–87 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 56 22 28 3 3026 200 0 3.97 .875 13 7 6 761 29 1 2.29 .921
1987–88 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 56 12 35 4 3000 222 2 4.44 .870 2 0 1 108 11 0 6.11 .823
1988–89 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 32 9 20 2 1888 139 0 4.42 .866 — — — — — — — —
1988–89 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 3 1 1 0 130 13 0 6.00 .822 5 2 2 268 10 0 2.24 .928
1989–90 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 51 22 24 3 2961 169 0 3.42 .892 — — — — — — — —
1990–91 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 30 10 14 3 1484 88 0 3.56 .867 — — — — — — — —
1991–92 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 23 9 8 3 1259 75 0 3.57 .865 — — — — — — — —
1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 9 5 3 0 448 31 0 4.15 .847 1 0 0 40 4 0 6.00 .750
1992–93 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 25 13 7 2 1368 78 0 3.42 .887 — — — — — — — —
1993–94 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 42 21 12 7 2456 138 1 3.37 .893 — — — — — — — —
1994–95 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 38 25 9 2 2208 118 0 3.21 .903 11 5 6 661 33 1 3.00 .905
1995–96 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 37 20 13 2 2132 115 3 3.24 .905 9 7 2 598 23 0 2.31 .930
1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 46 17 17 6 2514 136 2 3.25 .902 5 1 4 297 18 0 3.64 .915
1997–98 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 15 3 6 2 611 28 0 2.75 .904 — — — — — — — —
1998–99 Calgary Flames NHL 27 10 12 4 1590 67 1 2.53 .906 — — — — — — — —
1999–00 Detroit Red Wings NHL 29 14 10 2 1579 70 0 2.66 .900 — — — — — — — —
2000–01 Manitoba Moose IHL 30 11 13 4 1602 72 2 2.70 .900 12 6 5 774 30 0 2.33 .915
NHL totals 575 225 248 53 31,663 1917 9 3.63 .885 56 28 25 3340 160 3 2.87 .911

Awards

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ken Wregget

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ken Wregget (born March 25, 1964) is a Canadian former who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1983 to 2000, appearing in 575 regular-season games with a career record of 225 wins, 248 losses, and 53 ties, alongside a 3.63 goals-against average (GAA) and .885 save percentage. Drafted by the in the third round, 45th overall, of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, Wregget began his junior career with the Broncos of the (WHL), where he won the WHL championship in 1983 and earned the Del Wilson Trophy as the league's top in 1984 while being named to the WHL East First All-Star Team. Wregget made his NHL debut with during the 1983–84 season, serving as a backup before becoming the Maple Leafs' primary starter from 1984 to 1989, during which he posted a 3.97 GAA over 200 games. Traded to the in March 1989, he split time as a backup to , playing 107 games with a 3.55 GAA before being dealt to the in February 1992, where he contributed to their victory that spring by appearing in one playoff game. With from 1992 to 1998, Wregget often backed up , accumulating 104 of his career wins across 212 games while maintaining a 3.36 GAA, and he finished fifth in voting during the 1994–95 season. His most notable postseason run came in the 1996 playoffs, where, as a thrust into action due to Barrasso's injury, Wregget started nine games for , winning seven (including all four against the in the conference semifinals) with a 2.30 GAA and .930 save percentage, helping reach the Final before losing to the . Wregget later played briefly for the (1998–99) and (1999–2000), retiring after the 1999–2000 season with 56 playoff appearances, a 28–25 record, 2.89 GAA, and three shutouts.

Early life

Childhood and family

Kenneth Wregget was born on March 25, 1964, in , , to Gordon Joseph Wregget and his wife, Marie Georgette Rita Wregget. He has one , an older brother named David Anthony Wregget. Wregget's father spent 33 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, retiring as a , which necessitated multiple family relocations across during his childhood. The family moved to Greenwood in when Wregget was eight years old, remaining there until he was 14. Before entering high school, they relocated again to 4 Wing Cold Lake in due to another military posting.

Junior hockey

Ken Wregget began his junior hockey career with the Lethbridge Broncos of the (WHL) during the 1981–82 season. As a 17-year-old , he appeared in 36 games, posting a 19–12–0 record with a 4.13 goals-against average (GAA) and one , helping the Broncos reach the where he recorded a 2.14 GAA in three games. His performance established him as a promising , leading to his selection by the in the third round (45th overall) of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. In the 1982–83 season, Wregget solidified his role as the Broncos' primary starter, playing 48 regular-season games with a 26–17–1 record, 3.49 GAA, and one . The team advanced deep into the , where he backstopped to the WHL championship, appearing in 20 games with a 3.02 GAA. The following year, 1983–84, Wregget had his most dominant junior season, starting 53 games with a 32–20–0 record, 3.16 GAA, and a .902 save percentage, though the Broncos were eliminated early in the with a 5.14 GAA in four games. During this time, he also made his NHL debut with , appearing in three games while still eligible for junior hockey. Wregget's junior excellence earned him significant recognition, including the WHL championship with in 1983 and selection to the WHL East Division First All-Star Team in 1984. He capped his junior career by winning the Del Wilson Trophy as the WHL's top in 1984, awarded for his league-leading performance. Internationally, Wregget represented at the 1984 World Junior Championships, playing five games with a 2.80 GAA as the team secured a silver medal.

Professional career

Toronto Maple Leafs

Ken Wregget was selected by the in the third round, 45th overall, of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft after a standout junior career with the Lethbridge Broncos of the . He made his NHL debut with the Leafs during the 1983-84 season, appearing in three games as a backup to incumbent starter Bob Froese, posting a 1-1-1 record with a 5.09 goals-against average (GAA). Wregget gradually earned a larger role starting in the 1984-85 season, when he played 23 games amid Toronto's rebuilding efforts under coach Dan Maloney, recording a 2-15-3 mark and a 4.83 GAA on a team that finished last in the . He also appeared in two games for the St. Catharines Saints of the (AHL) during the 1984-85 season. By the 1985-86 season, he split duties with Allan Bester, appearing in 30 regular-season games with a 9-13-4 record and a 4.34 GAA, while helping the Leafs secure their first playoff series victory since 1980 by sweeping the 3-0 in the semifinals. In the division finals against the , Wregget started all 10 games, achieving a 6-4 record, 3.17 GAA, and .901 save percentage, though Toronto fell in seven games. The 1986-87 season marked Wregget's emergence as Toronto's primary , as he played a league-high 56 games, posting a 22-28-3 record with a 3.97 GAA and leading the team to the semifinals. In the playoffs, he excelled with a 7-6 record over 13 games, a 2.29 GAA, .921 save percentage, and one , including a 4-0 victory in Game 6 against to advance past the Blues for the second straight year—his second career , made on 19 saves. The Leafs were then swept 4-0 by the in the division finals, but Wregget's performance earned praise from coach John Brophy, who called him "one of the top NHL goalies" and a "money " for his playoff reliability. Wregget's final seasons in Toronto, 1987-88 and 1988-89, saw him log heavy minutes on struggling teams, playing 56 and 32 games respectively with records of 12-35-4 (4.45 GAA) and 9-20-2 (4.42 GAA), including two shutouts in 1987-88. He appeared in two playoff games that year against St. Louis, posting a 0-1 record and 6.13 GAA. Overall, Wregget played 200 regular-season games for the Leafs from 1983 to 1989, compiling a 55-112-17 record, 4.25 GAA, .872 save percentage, and four shutouts, while starting 25 playoff games with a 13-11 record, 2.78 GAA, .912 save percentage, and two shutouts. On March 6, 1989, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers along with defenseman Luke Aitken for goaltender Ron Hextall and a fourth-round draft pick. Wait, no—correction based on sources: traded for two first-round picks.
SeasonGPW-L-TGAASV%SOPlayoff GPPlayoff W-LPlayoff GAAPlayoff SV%Playoff SO
1983-8431-1-15.09.8910—————
1984-85232-15-34.83.8650—————
1985-86309-13-44.34.8740106-43.17.9011
1986-875622-28-33.97.8750137-62.29.9211
1987-885612-35-44.45.870220-16.13.8230
1988-89329-20-24.42.8660—————
Total20055-112-174.25.87222513-112.78.9122

Philadelphia Flyers

Wregget was acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 6, 1989, in exchange for two first-round draft picks in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft (selections 12 and 21, used to select Rob Pearson and Steve Bancroft, respectively). He appeared in three regular-season games for the Flyers during the 1988–89 season, posting a 1–1–0 record with a 6.01 goals-against average (GAA) and .822 save percentage. In the 1989 playoffs, Wregget served as the backup to but saw significant action, starting all five of his appearances as the Flyers advanced to the Wales Conference Semifinals. He recorded a 2–2–0 mark with a 2.23 GAA and .928 save percentage, including strong performances in the Finals against the , where he made 47 saves in a 4–1 victory in Game 3 and helped secure the series win in seven games. The Flyers ultimately fell to the in the semifinals. Wregget became the Flyers' primary in the 1989–90 season amid injuries to Hextall, playing 51 games with a 22–24–3 record, 3.42 GAA, and .891 save percentage, leading the team in appearances and wins. However, missed the for the first time since 1972, finishing fifth in the . He split starting duties with Hextall during the 1990–91 season, appearing in 30 games with a 10–14–3 record, 3.56 GAA, and .867 save percentage. However, missed the , finishing fifth in the . In his final partial season with Philadelphia during 1991–92, Wregget played 23 games, posting a 9–8–3 record, 3.57 GAA, and .865 save percentage. He was traded to the on February 19, 1992, along with a conditional third-round pick in the 1993 draft (which became David Roche), in exchange for forward and defenseman . Over four seasons with the Flyers, Wregget appeared in 107 regular-season games, compiling a 42–47–9 record with a 3.55 GAA and .879 save percentage.
SeasonGPWLTGAASV%MIN
1988–8931106.01.822129:43
1989–9051222433.42.8912961:29
1990–9130101433.56.8671484:27
1991–92239833.57.8651259:15
Total107424793.55.8795834:54

Pittsburgh Penguins

Ken Wregget was acquired by the on February 19, 1992, in a blockbuster trade from the that sent forward , defenseman , Wregget, and a third-round draft pick (Dave Roche) to in exchange for forward , defenseman Brian Benning, and a first-round pick (Jason Bowen). Joining midseason, Wregget served primarily as the backup goaltender to during the 1991–92 regular season, appearing in nine games with a 5–3–0 record, 4.15 goals-against (GAA), and .847 save (SV%). In the playoffs, he played one game as captured the , defeating the in six games; Wregget did not factor into the series outcome but earned a as part of the roster. Over the next several seasons, Wregget solidified his role in Pittsburgh's goaltending tandem, sharing duties with Barrasso and occasionally taking on starter responsibilities, particularly during injuries. In 1992–93, he posted a 13–7–2 record in 25 games with a 3.42 GAA and .887 SV%. His performance improved in 1993–94, recording 21 wins in 42 games (3.37 GAA, .893 SV%, one ), and he shared the Edward J. DeBartolo Community Service Award with Barrasso for their off-ice contributions. Wregget's most successful year came during the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season, where he led the NHL with 25 wins in 38 games (9 losses, 3.21 GAA, .903 SV%), finishing fifth in voting. In the playoffs that year, he started 11 games with a 5–6 record, 3.00 GAA, .905 SV%, and one , helping advance to the second round. Wregget maintained consistent production in subsequent seasons, appearing in 37 games in 1995–96 (20–13–2, 3.24 GAA, .905 SV%, three shutouts) and 46 games in 1996–97 (17–17–6, 3.25 GAA, .902 SV%, two shutouts). His playoff highlight occurred in 1995–96, where he went 7–2 in nine games with an impressive 2.30 GAA and .930 SV%, contributing to Pittsburgh's Eastern Conference Finals appearance before a loss to the Florida Panthers. Limited by injury in 1997–98, Wregget played only 15 games (3–6–2, 2.75 GAA, .904 SV%) before the Penguins traded him, along with Dave Roche, to the Calgary Flames on June 17, 1998, for centers German Titov and Todd Hlushko. Over seven seasons with Pittsburgh, Wregget compiled a 104–67–21 record in 212 regular-season games (3.29 GAA, .898 SV%, six shutouts), ranking among the franchise's top goaltenders in games played and wins at the time.

Calgary Flames

Ken Wregget was acquired by the from the on June 17, 1998, in a trade that sent centers German Titov and Todd Hlushko to Pittsburgh in exchange for Wregget and left winger Dave Roche. The Flames sought the 34-year-old veteran to bring stability to their netminding position following a challenging previous season. During the 1998–99 NHL season, Wregget served as Calgary's primary starter, appearing in 27 games and making 26 starts. He recorded a 10–12–4 record, with a 2.53 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage, and one , while facing 712 shots over 1,589 minutes and 59 seconds of ice time. His performance provided a measure of reliability amid the Flames' transitional year, though the team struggled overall, finishing with a 35–39–8 record and missing the playoffs. Wregget's experience helped mentor younger goaltenders like , who also saw action due to the Flames' depth challenges in net. Wregget's tenure in Calgary was limited to this single season, as he became an unrestricted afterward and signed with the in the summer of 1999.

Detroit Red Wings

As an unrestricted following his stint with the , Wregget signed a multi-year contract with the on July 9, 1999, to serve as the backup goaltender to . During the 1999–2000 NHL season, Wregget appeared in 29 games for the Red Wings, recording a 14–10–2 mark with a 2.66 goals-against average and .900 save percentage over 1,578 minutes of ice time. He stepped in as the primary starter in December 1999 when Osgood suffered a , winning two of his first three appearances to help maintain Detroit's strong position in the standings. Wregget's solid relief work contributed to the team's overall depth, though he did not appear in the playoffs as the Red Wings fell to the in the first round. Wregget's tenure with Detroit marked the final season of his NHL career, as he did not play in the league during 2000–01 despite remaining under contract; his last appearance came on April 9, 2000, against the .

Manitoba Moose

Ken Wregget, a native of , returned to his home province to play his final professional season with the of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 2000–01. After serving as a for the during the , Wregget joined the Moose as a presence in net, sharing duties with younger netminders like . The Moose, in their fifth and final IHL season before transitioning to the , relied on Wregget's experience to stabilize their goaltending amid a competitive Western Division. During the regular season, Wregget appeared in 30 games for the , posting a record of 11 wins, 13 losses, and 4 ties. His performance included a 2.70 goals-against average (GAA) and a .900 , with two shutouts highlighting his reliability in high-pressure situations. The team finished third in the Western Division with a 39–31–12 record, totaling 90 points and qualifying for the for the first time in franchise history.
SeasonLeagueGPW-L-TMINGAGAASV%SO
2000–01 (Regular)IHL3011–13–41,602722.70.9002
In the playoffs, Wregget became the primary starter, appearing in 12 of the Moose's 13 postseason games as they mounted an unexpected run. He helped the team defeat the Aeros in a thrilling seven-game first-round series, securing a 4–3 victory with key overtime wins in Games 5 and 6. Wregget's playoff stats reflected his strong play, recording a 6–5–0 mark, a 2.33 GAA, and a .915 save percentage across 774 minutes. The advanced to the second round but fell to the in six games, ending their season.
SeasonLeagueGPW-LMINGAGAASV%SO
2000–01 (Playoffs)IHL126–5–0774302.33.9150
Following the Moose's elimination, the 37-year-old Wregget announced his retirement from professional hockey, concluding a career that spanned over two decades across multiple leagues.

Post-retirement activities

Business ventures

Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2000, Ken Wregget entered the by acquiring and rebranding a in . In October 2013, Wregget, along with his wife Cindy, purchased the establishment previously known as RPM's at 1020 Washington Pike, transforming it into 31 Sports Bar and Grille—a nod to his longtime jersey number with the . The venue officially opened in June 2014, featuring three bars equipped with multiple flat-screen televisions for sports viewing, a dining room with a stage for live music performances, a , and an outdoor deck that remains open year-round with winter heating. The restaurant quickly became a local favorite in the area, emphasizing a family-friendly atmosphere with a focus on quality food, ice-cold drinks, and entertainment such as live bands and game watch parties. Wregget has been hands-on in its operations, drawing on his regional ties—having lived in on and off since 1993—to build community loyalty. By 2020, the business had established itself as a go-to spot for sports enthusiasts and music lovers, hosting events that aligned with Wregget's post-hockey interests in fostering social connections. The onset of the posed significant challenges to the restaurant's viability, forcing temporary closures and adaptations to takeout-only service from Thursdays through Sundays. Wregget laid off most of the staff, retaining only a small team to manage and orders, and expressed concerns over a potential 40-60% drop in business due to measures. To support the community during this period, the bar partnered with initiatives like Dr. Mark Baratz's program, providing meals to those in need through organizations such as Casa San Jose, and donated food to frontline workers, food banks, and police departments. Despite these hurdles, Wregget remained committed, stating, “I love this restaurant. I’m hopeful everything gets back on track soon.” As of November 2025, 31 Sports Bar and Grille continues to operate, maintaining its reputation for award-winning catering and seasonal promotions.

Media and public appearances

Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2000, Ken Wregget transitioned into media roles, leveraging his NHL experience to engage audiences through and interviews. He hosted "The Ken Wregget & Friends Show," a launched in December 2021 on YinzerCrazy.com, where he interviewed former teammates and hockey figures, including , Larry Murphy, and . The series focused on Penguins history, memories, and career anecdotes, establishing Wregget as a nostalgic voice in hockey media. Wregget made guest appearances on various platforms, sharing insights from his 17-year NHL career. In January 2021, he discussed his Penguins tenure and post-hockey life on KDKA's "JP Roofing Fan N'ation," a Pittsburgh sports TV show broadcast on CBSN. He also featured on "Cross Ice Pass" in December 2023, recounting his Stanley Cup win and goaltending challenges across teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers. Additional podcast spots included the "1973 Podcast" in October 2025, where he detailed junior hockey roots and NHL transitions, and "Hat Trick Hockey" in the same month, covering his early days in Manitoba and Alberta. Public appearances have included speaking engagements and ceremonial events. Wregget is represented by SlapShot Speakers for corporate events, virtual talks, and store openings, often drawing on his backup role in the 1992 victory. On October 25, 2025, he was inducted into the inaugural Kingston Greenwood Sports Hall of Fame in for his contributions to the 1976-79 Greenwood Bombers bantam hockey teams, where he reflected on his early hockey experiences during the . These outings highlight his ongoing role as an for hockey, blending personal stories with fan interactions.

Personal life

Family

Ken Wregget was born on March 25, 1964, in , to Gordon Wregget and Georgette Rita Wregget. His father, Gordon, died on March 13, 2019. His family relocated several times due to his father's career in the Royal Canadian Air Force, including moves to , and Greenwood, Nova Scotia, where Wregget spent part of his childhood. He has a brother, David Anthony Wregget, who passed away on June 4, 2024. Their mother, Georgette, died on June 24, 2010. Wregget was previously married to Susan Wregget, with whom he has two children: a son, Matthew, born around 1993, and a daughter, Courtney, born around 1994. Matthew Wregget followed in his father's footsteps as a , playing junior and high school hockey in , including for in the Pittsburgh Interscholastic Hockey League, where he ranked highly in save statistics during the 2008-09 season. He later played at in ACHA Division II and is now retired from competitive play. Wregget is married to Nicole Wregget; the couple co-owns 31 Sports Bar and Grille in .

Health challenges

In the years following his retirement from professional hockey in 2000, Ken Wregget encountered a series of debilitating issues, including neurological problems, chronic , and mobility challenges that affected his ability to walk. These conditions persisted for several years and significantly impacted his daily life. The challenges reached a critical point on January 27, 2019, when Wregget suffered a severe heart attack at his home in . An ambulance rushed him to St. Clair Hospital, where he received life-saving treatment; he later described the event as non-minor and emphasized that his girlfriend's presence that night prevented a potentially fatal outcome. In response to the heart attack, Wregget adopted major lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and increased , which led to marked improvements in his health. By early 2020, approximately 15 months after the incident, he reported feeling healthier and more content than before, crediting the ordeal with prompting a positive transformation. Earlier in his career, Wregget also managed health setbacks, such as a bout with mononucleosis during the 1988-89 season with the , which delayed his return to form after being acquired in a trade. Additionally, he sustained various injuries, including a November 1990 incident in that sidelined him briefly while serving as a .

Awards and honors

Junior and professional awards

During his junior career with the Broncos of the (WHL), Ken Wregget achieved significant recognition as a standout . In the 1982-83 season, he contributed to the Broncos' WHL championship victory. The following year, in 1983-84, Wregget earned the Del Wilson Trophy as the WHL's top , leading the league with a 3.16 goals-against average over 53 games. He was also named to the WHL East Division First All-Star Team for his exceptional performance that season. Internationally, Wregget represented at the 1984 in , where he appeared in five games, helping the team secure a . Transitioning to professional hockey, Wregget's awards were primarily team-oriented and performance-based during his NHL tenure. With the , he won the team's in the 1985-86 season for accumulating the most three-star selections, a fan-voted honor recognizing consistent on-ice contributions. He repeated as winner in 1987-88, again topping the team's star selections amid a 56-game stint as the primary . In the 1990-91 season, while with the , Wregget was named NHL Player of the Week for the period ending October 22, after posting a 2.20 goals-against average and .932 save percentage over four starts. He finished fifth in voting for the during the 1994–95 season. His most notable professional honor came in 1991-92 with the , where he served as backup en route to winning the , appearing in eight regular-season games and one playoff game while contributing to the team's second consecutive championship.

Hall of Fame inductions

Ken Wregget was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 as a player, recognizing his contributions to hockey in the province where he was born in Brandon. His induction highlighted his junior career with the Broncos of the and his professional achievements, including a 17-year NHL tenure spanning 575 games with teams such as the , , and , where he won the in 1992. Wregget concluded his playing career with the of the International Hockey League, further tying his legacy to the region. In 2025, Wregget became part of the inaugural class inducted into the Kingston Greenwood Sports Hall of Fame on October 25, honoring his early hockey development in the community. Originally from , he moved to Greenwood as a child due to his father's military posting and played minor hockey there from ages 8 to 14, starting as a after acquiring his first skates at a local equipment sale. He contributed to the Greenwood Bombers bantam teams from 1976 to 1979, helping secure three consecutive provincial championships and two Maritime titles, before being drafted by the in 1982. Wregget has credited the community's support as instrumental to his journey, stating it was "second to none."

Career statistics

NHL regular season and playoffs

Ken Wregget made his NHL debut with the during the 1983–84 season, appearing in three games as a 19-year-old with a 1–1–1 record and a 5.09 goals-against average (GAA). He split time between the Leafs and their (AHL) affiliate, the St. Catharines Saints, over the next two seasons, gradually earning more starts in . By the 1986–87 season, Wregget had established himself as the Leafs' primary , playing 56 games with a 22–28–3 record and a 3.97 GAA. His tenure with spanned six seasons, during which he appeared in 200 regular-season games, posting 46 wins, 112 losses, 17 ties, a 4.33 GAA, and an .872 save percentage (SV%). In the playoffs, Wregget's early highlight came in , when he backstopped the Leafs to their first postseason series victory since 1967, defeating the in the semifinals with a 6–4 series record, 3.16 GAA, and .895 SV% across 10 games. Overall with Toronto, he played 25 playoff games, recording 13 wins, 12 losses, a 2.93 GAA, and .904 SV%. Traded to the in March 1989, Wregget provided immediate relief in the postseason, appearing in five playoff games including a relief appearance in game 6 and starting game 7 of the finals against the , where he stopped 39 of 40 shots in a 4–1 win, allowing only one goal (a power-play tally by ) and helping Philadelphia overcome a 3–2 series deficit to advance; he also played three games in the Wales Conference finals against . With the Flyers over three-plus seasons (1988–92), Wregget played 104 regular-season games, achieving 42 wins, 47 losses, 9 ties, a 3.49 GAA, and .881 SV%. Wregget joined the in February 1992 via a blockbuster trade from , alongside and , in exchange for , Brian Benning, and a first-round draft pick. As backup to , he appeared in just one playoff game during the 1991–92 postseason but earned his only championship as defeated the in four games. Over six seasons with the Penguins (1992–98), Wregget played 214 regular-season games, securing 104 wins, 64 losses, 21 ties/OT losses, a 3.27 GAA, .899 SV%, and six shutouts. His finest individual regular season came in 1994–95, a lockout-shortened campaign where he led the NHL with 25 wins in 38 games (25–9–2, 3.21 GAA, .903 SV%), finishing fifth in voting. In the playoffs, Wregget's Penguins tenure featured standout performances, including a 1993 run with 5 wins in 11 games (3.00 GAA, .905 SV%). His most notable postseason surge occurred in 1996, when he took over as starter and went 7–2 in nine games with a 2.30 GAA and .930 SV%, leading past the (3–0 in the first round) and (4–1 in the conference semifinals) before a 4–3 loss to the in the conference finals; he set a career-high with four wins in the semifinals series. Across 30 playoff games with , Wregget recorded 15 wins, 13 losses, a 2.74 GAA, .913 SV%, and two shutouts. Wregget's later NHL years included stints with the (1998–99: 27 games, 10–12–4, 2.53 GAA, .906 SV%) and (1999–2000: 29 games, 14–10–2, 2.66 GAA, .900 SV%), where he contributed to a deep playoff run but did not play in the postseason. He appeared in one playoff game with in 1999 (0–1, 4.76 GAA). Career NHL regular-season totals: 575 games, 225–248–53 record, 3.63 GAA, .885 SV%, and 9 shutouts over 31,643 minutes. In the playoffs, he played 56 games across 15 appearances, posting 28 wins, 25 losses, a 2.86 GAA, .906 SV%, and 3 shutouts.

Minor league seasons

Ken Wregget's minor league career was relatively brief, bookended by his early professional development and a final season near the end of his playing days. Drafted by the in the third round of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, Wregget transitioned from junior hockey to the (AHL) with Toronto's affiliate, the St. Catharines Saints, during the 1984–85 season. He appeared in 12 games, recording a 2–8–1 record with a 4.19 goals-against average (GAA) and .865 save percentage (SV%). In the following 1985–86 season, Wregget continued with the Saints, playing 18 games and improving slightly to an 8–9–0 record, a 4.42 GAA, .863 SV%, and one . These appearances served primarily as a bridge to his full-time NHL role with , where he quickly established himself as a starter. After nearly 15 years in the NHL, including stints with multiple teams and a win in 1992, Wregget returned to the minors for his final professional season in 2000–01 with the of the International Hockey League (IHL), a team based in his home . He played 30 regular-season games, posting an 11–13–4 record, 2.70 GAA, .900 SV%, and two , providing stability to the Moose's goaltending. In the , Wregget excelled, appearing in 12 games with a 6–5–0 record, 2.33 GAA, and .915 SV%, helping the team advance deep into the postseason before the IHL's dissolution that summer.
SeasonTeamLeagueGPW-L-TGAASV%SO
1984–85St. Catharines SaintsAHL122–8–14.19.8650
1985–86St. Catharines SaintsAHL188–9–04.42.8631
2000–01IHL3011–13–42.70.9002
Regular season statistics. Playoff stats for 2000–01 IHL: 12 GP, 6–5–0, 2.33 GAA, .915 SV%, 0 SO.

References

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