Sports
Curtis Joseph
born 1967 · ice hockey goaltender
Veteran goaltender nicknamed "Cujo" who signed with the Red Wings in 2002 hoping to finally win a Stanley Cup, and helped Detroit finish first overall the next season.
- Born
Keswick, Ontario
age 59- Birth name
- Curtis Shayne Joseph
- Also known as
- Cujo
- Detroit years
- 2002–2004
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Joseph had already built a reputation as one of the league's best goaltenders without ever reaching a Stanley Cup Final when Detroit signed him to a three-year, $24 million contract in July 2002, shortly after Dominik Hašek's initial retirement left an opening. His first season was difficult; Detroit was upset in the first round of the 2003 playoffs, and Joseph drew criticism from fans and media even though the team's offense had also gone cold. Hašek returned for the 2003–04 season, but when he was injured, Joseph stepped back into the net and helped Detroit finish first overall in the league, then won two straight games to help eliminate Nashville in the playoffs before Detroit fell in the second round. Known for his mask featuring a snarling dog inspired by the Stephen King novel Cujo, he remains, decades later, the winningest goaltender in NHL history never to have played for a Stanley Cup champion.
Highlights
- Signed with the Red Wings as a free agent in July 2002
- Helped Detroit finish first overall in the NHL in 2003–04
- Won two straight games to eliminate Nashville in the 2004 playoffs
- Retired with the most career wins of any goaltender never on a Cup-winning team
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 2002–2004
Joe Louis Arena
Demolished · 1979–2019
His home ice during his two Detroit seasons; demolished in 2019–2020.