Roberto Luongo

Roberto Luongo, born April 4, 1979 in Montreal, Quebec Canada. His parents were originally from Santa Paolina, Avellino, Italy.  This 6’3’ 205lb goaltender, who catches with his left, started playing in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) from 1995 to 1998. Roberto Luongo was drafted first round, 4th overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders. But he did not start his NHL debut until the 1999-2000-hockey season. His first season playing for the New York Islanders, Roberto played 24 games posting a 3.25 GAA (Goals against average).

In 2000, manager Mike Milbury of the New York Islanders traded Roberto to the Florida Panthers, where he was voted second for the Vezina Trophy in the 2003-2004 season. In the 2005-2006 season, Mike Keenan, manager of the Florida Panthers, offered Luongo a $30 million dollar contract to stay with the team for another five years. But Luongo rejected the offer. Luongo was than traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward, Todd Bertuzzi, goaltender, Alexander Auld and defenseman Bryan Allen. Luongo signed a $27 million, 4-year contract with the Canucks.

Roberto Luongo has played for the Canadian national team. With whom he won two gold medals, and silver medal with his teams in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He was then chosen for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

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