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{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1964)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Ron Hextall
| image = Ron Hextall (Philadelphia Flyers GM).jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Hextall in 2014
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|5|3|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Brandon, Manitoba]], Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 205
| position = [[Goaltender]]
| catches = Left
| played_for = [[Philadelphia Flyers]]<br>[[Quebec Nordiques]]<br>[[New York Islanders]]
| ntl_team = CAN
| draft = 119th overall
| draft_year = 1982
| draft_team = [[Philadelphia Flyers]]
| career_start = 1984
| career_end = 1999
}}
'''Ronald Jeffrey Hextall''' (born May 3, 1964) is a Canadian former professional [[ice hockey]] [[goaltender]] and executive. He was most recently the [[general manager#Sports teams|general manager]] of the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL). Hextall played 13&nbsp;seasons for the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], [[Quebec Nordiques]], and [[New York Islanders]]. He served as assistant general manager for the Flyers for one season, and was promoted to general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, replacing [[Paul Holmgren]] on May 7, 2014. He held this position for four and a half seasons.  Before this he served as assistant general manager for the [[Los Angeles Kings]], who won the [[Stanley Cup]] in [[2012 Stanley Cup Finals|2012]].

Hextall played 11 of his 13&nbsp;seasons over two stints with the Flyers. He holds several [[List of Philadelphia Flyers records|team records]] and is a member of the [[List of Philadelphia Flyers award winners#Flyers Hall of Fame|Flyers Hall of Fame]]. During his rookie season in {{NHL Year|1986}}, he was awarded the [[Vezina Trophy]] as the league's top goaltender and led the Flyers to the [[1987 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]]. Despite the Flyers' loss to the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in seven games, he won the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] as the playoffs' most valuable player, making him one of only six players to win the trophy in a losing effort.{{#tag:ref|As of 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24964 |title=NHL Awards: Conn Smythe Trophy |publisher=[[National Hockey League]] |access-date=September 14, 2020}}</ref>|group=note}} Injuries in the middle of his career contributed to a drop in his playing ability; as a result, he was traded on three occasions in the [[Season (sports)#Off-season|off-seasons]] between 1992 and 1994 to the Nordiques, the Islanders and then back to the Flyers. Upon his return to Philadelphia, Hextall regained confidence and form, recording [[goals against average]]s (GAA) below 3.00 in each of his five subsequent seasons – the lowest of his career. He retired from the NHL at the end of the {{NHL Year|1998}} season.

Hextall became the first [[List of goaltenders who have scored a goal in an NHL game|NHL goaltender to score a goal]] by shooting the puck into the opponent's [[empty net]], against the [[Boston Bruins]] in the {{NHL Year|1987}} season. The [[1988-89 NHL season|following season]], he became the first goaltender to score in the playoffs, by shooting the puck into the [[Washington Capitals]]' empty net. His mobile style of play, in which he provided support to his defencemen by coming out of the [[Ice hockey rink#Goal area|goal area]] to play the puck was revolutionary, and inspired future generations of goaltenders, such as [[Martin Brodeur]]. He was also known for being one of the NHL's most aggressive goaltenders: he was suspended for six or more games on three occasions, had more than 100&nbsp;[[Penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]] in each of his first three seasons, and set new records for the number of  penalty minutes recorded by a goaltender in the NHL.

==Early life==
Ron Hextall was born on May&nbsp;3,&nbsp;1964 in [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]], [[Manitoba]], the third and youngest child of [[Bryan Hextall Jr.|Bryan]] and Fay Hextall.<ref name="SItick">{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1989/11/13/what-makes-ron-hextall-tickticktick |title=What Makes Ron Hextall Tick...tick...tick |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |publisher=[[Time Warner]] |date=November 13, 1989 |last=Greenberg |first=Jay |volume=71 |issue=20 |pages=68–72 |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> Hextall is a third-generation NHL player –  his grandfather, Hall of Famer [[Bryan Hextall]], played 11 seasons with the [[New York Rangers]], and was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196902&page=bio&list=#photo |title=Bryan Hextall: Biography |publisher=[[Hockey Hall of Fame]] |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723183325/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=p196902&page=bio&list=#photo |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> His father, [[Bryan Hextall, Jr.]], played in the NHL for 10 seasons, most notably for the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12925 |title=Bryan Lee Hextall |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723183333/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12925 |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> and his uncle, [[Dennis Hextall]], played 14&nbsp;seasons of NHL hockey, not staying with any one club for longer than five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12927 |title=Dennis Harold Hextall |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723183342/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12927 |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> During his youth, Hextall saw his father and uncle often roughed up by the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], whose aggressive style of play for much of the 1970s gave the team the name "[[Philadelphia Flyers#1972–1978: The Broad Street Bullies|Broad Street Bullies]]". Hextall later reflected that during this period he "hated the Flyers."<ref name="SItick"/>

Because of his father's career, Hextall's education was far from stable; each year began at Brandon, and once the hockey season commenced in October, he moved to a school nearer to where his father was playing. At school, he achieved B and C grades, putting in the minimum amount of effort, but his mind remained on hockey, and specifically [[Goaltender|goaltending]]. "Everybody else would be working and I'd be drawing pictures of [[Tony Esposito]] and [[Jim Rutherford|Jimmy Rutherford]]," he recalled.<ref name="SItick"/> Hextall came to mostly enjoy the constant moving, later saying "I got to hang around NHL [[Ice hockey rink|rinks]]. What more would I have wanted?"<ref name="SItick"/>

Although both his father and grandfather played as [[Forward (ice hockey)|forwards]], his father was happy for him to play in goal, but insisted that he try other positions to improve his skating: Bryan believed his son would have made a good defenceman. Hextall's mother thought her son's love for hockey exceeded that of her husband's teammates and believed it would drive him to achieve his aim of goaltending in the NHL.<ref name="SItick"/> Each summer, Hextall received training at the hockey school at which his father taught, but the hockey programs in Pittsburgh and Atlanta were sub-standard, and meant that during his teenage years, he was behind many of his fellow players. He describes himself as "[not] what you would call real polished" in his first year of [[junior hockey]], aged&nbsp;17.<ref name="SItick"/>

==Playing career==

===Junior hockey===
Hextall began his junior hockey career in 1980 with the [[Melville Millionaires]]  in the [[Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League]] (SJHL).<ref name="SJHLHoF">{{cite web|url=http://www.sjhl.ca/news_item.aspx?news_id=1557 |title=SJHL Announces Hall of Fame Inductees |publisher=Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League |access-date=March 20, 2024|date=August 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706203339/http://www.sjhl.ca/news_item.aspx?news_id=1557 |archive-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref><ref name="LoH">{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18289 |title=Ron Jeffrey Hextall |publisher=[[Hockey Hall of Fame]] |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419230548/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=18289 |archive-date=April 19, 2011}}</ref> In the [[1980-81 WHL season|1980–81 season]], his solitary season with the club, he played 37&nbsp;games with a [[goals against average]] (GAA) of 6.57.<ref name="LoH"/> In one game that season, against the [[Prince Albert Raiders]], Hextall faced 105&nbsp;shots, and made 84&nbsp;saves, a performance described as brilliant by the ''[[Regina Leader-Post]]''. Although the Millionaires lost 21–2, the reporter noted that if it was not for Hextall, the Raiders could have scored "34 or 35".<ref>{{cite news|title=Prince Albert Raiders 21, Melville Millionaires 2 |work=Regina Leader-Post |publisher=Postmedia Network Inc. |location=[[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]], [[Saskatchewan]] |date=February 28, 1981 |page=E2}}</ref> Millionaires teammate Mark Odnokon praised his performance, particularly the way "he lived up to his responsibilities and stayed in there until the end."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/saskatchewan-a-hockey-hotbed-1.467843 |title=Saskatchewan a hockey hotbed |publisher=[[CBC Sports]] |date=February 21, 2004 |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> In 2009, Hextall was inducted as one of the inaugural members of the SJHL [[Hall of fame|Hall of Fame]].<ref name="SJHLHoF"/>

Hextall returned to Brandon for the [[1981–82 WHL season|1981–82 season]], playing for the [[Brandon Wheat Kings]] in the [[Western Hockey League]] (WHL).<ref name="LoH"/> He played 30 regular season games for the Wheat Kings, during which he recorded a GAA of 5.71. The Wheat Kings reached the playoffs but were swept four games to none (4–0) in the first-round by the [[Regina Pats]]. Hextall played in three of the games, but completed only two and had a GAA of 9.32.<ref name="LoH"/> His team was regarded as a poor one at the time by critics and Hextall had to battle in each game. Flyers' scout [[Gerry Melnyk]] said he could understand why many teams did not rate Hextall: "There were teams who thought he was loony."<ref name="SItick"/> Melnyk claimed it was these attributes which he was attracted by, and he felt that Hextall could fit in well with the Flyers.<ref name="SItick"/> Subsequently, the Flyers chose Hextall in the sixth round of the [[1982 NHL Draft]], 119th overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?team=PHI&year=1982 |title=NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results (1982, Philadelphia Flyers) |publisher=[[National Hockey League]] |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref>

After his selection, Hextall remained with Brandon for two further seasons. He played 44&nbsp;games in [[1982–83 WHL season|1982–83]], recording a GAA of 5.77 during a season in which the Wheat Kings did not qualify for the playoffs. The following year was his most successful in the WHL: a GAA of 4.29 across his 46&nbsp;regular season games, which included 29&nbsp;wins – more than in the previous two seasons combined. He played in ten of the twelve playoff games, recording five wins and five losses, with a GAA of 3.75.<ref name="LoH"/> During the [[1983–84 WHL season|1983–84 season]], Hextall set a record for the most [[Penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]] accumulated by a goaltender, being assessed for 117 minutes during the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.whl.ca/?s=11172 |title=Single Season Records |publisher=[[Western Hockey League]] |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref>

===Professional hockey===
Hextall arrived at the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] training camp in 1984 with the expectation of playing in the NHL. However, the Flyers subsequently sent him to their [[Farm team#Ice hockey|farm team]] in the [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|International Hockey League]] (IHL), the [[Kalamazoo Wings (1974–2000)|Kalamazoo Wings]]. Although disappointed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nesn.com/2010/01/under-ron-hextall-guidance-jonathan-bernier-turning-in-all-star-season-for-monarchs.html |title=With Ron Hextall's Guidance, Jonathan Bernier Turning in All-Star Season for Monarchs |publisher=[[New England Sports Network]] |last=Hurley |first=Michael |date=January 16, 2010 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> Hextall was now playing at a higher level than at WHL and made his debut in professional hockey.<ref name="whoswho">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wpbLnSHBNHgC&q=%22Ron+Hextall%22&pg=PT192 |author1=Fischler, Stan |author2=Fischler, Shirley |title=Who's Who in Hockey |publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing |location=[[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]] |page=173 |isbn=0-7407-1904-1 |year=2003 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> He played 19&nbsp;games for Kalamazoo, recording six wins and a GAA of&nbsp;4.35. During the season, he moved to the Flyers' other farm team; [[Hershey Bears]] of the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL), where he played 11&nbsp;times, with four wins, and a GAA of&nbsp;3.68.<ref name="LoH"/>

In the following season, Hextall remained with Hershey, appearing in 53&nbsp;games during  [[1985–86 AHL season|the 1985–86 season]]. He recorded 30&nbsp;wins and the lowest GAA average of his career to that point, 3.41. The Bears finished the regular season as league leaders, and won the [[John D. Chick Trophy]] as the South Division Champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ahl19411986.html |title=1985–86 American Hockey League (AHL) |publisher=hockeyDB.com |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> Hextall lived up to his aggressive reputation in the Conference final, played against the [[St. Catharines Saints]], fighting three different members of the opposition side during a single [[Bench-clearing brawl#Ice hockey|bench-clearing brawl]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s5IrPCnZd1YC&q=%22Ron+Hextall%22+%22Hershey%22&pg=PA115 |title=The Hershey Bears: Sweet Seasons |publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]] |location=[[Mount Pleasant, South Carolina|Mount Pleasant]], [[South Carolina]] |last=Leone |first=Tim |page=115 |access-date=March 13, 2011|isbn=9780738513331 |year=2003 }}</ref> The Bears advanced to the [[Calder Cup]] final, having beaten the [[New Haven Nighthawks]] 4–1 and the St.&nbsp;Catharines Saints 4–3. In the final, they faced the [[Adirondack Red Wings]], who won the championship by four games to two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=ahl1941&season=1986&leaguenm=AHL |title=1985–86 AHL Playoff Results |publisher=hockeyDB.com |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> Hextall played 13&nbsp;games in the playoffs, of which his team won five, and his GAA was&nbsp;3.23. He was named as the [[Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award]] winner, as the AHL's outstanding rookie player.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ahlhalloffame.com/dudley-red-garrett-memorial-award-p139049 |title=Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award |publisher=The American Hockey League |access-date=March 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917203812/http://ahlhalloffame.com/dudley-red-garrett-memorial-award-p139049 |archive-date=September 17, 2010 }}</ref> Looking back on his time in the AHL, Hextall reflected that despite his initial disappointment at not being selected to play for the Flyers straight away, "the two years that I spent in the American League got me to the point where I was sure I could be a No.&nbsp;1 goaltender at the NHL level."<ref name="SItick"/>

===Philadelphia Flyers (1986–1992)===

====First three seasons====
After his performances in the AHL, Hextall was invited to the Flyers' training camp as a long-shot. His play in four exhibition games convinced Flyers' coach [[Mike Keenan]] to call up Hextall to the NHL and to play him in the opening game of the [[1986–87 Philadelphia Flyers season|1986–87 season]], against the [[Edmonton Oilers]]. Hextall conceded a goal from the first shot he faced in the game but allowed no further shots past him, leading his side to a 2–1 victory. Hextall continued to display the aggressive nature with which he had always played, swinging his stick at [[Brad Smith (ice hockey)|Brad Smith]] and [[Troy Murray]] early in his first NHL season. Despite these swipes, Hextall claimed at the time that, "I used to be worse, I've learned to control my temper."<ref name="SIchip">{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1986/12/01/old-block-quite-a-chip-flyer-rookie-goalie-ron-hextall-is-adding-fame-to-his-familys-good-name |title=Old Block, Quite A Chip |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=Time Warner |last=Kravitz |first=Bob |volume=65 |issue=24 |pages=72–74 |date=December 1, 1986 |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> Two months after making these comments, Hextall was involved in a fight with opposing [[New Jersey Devils]] goaltender [[Alain Chevrier]]. Having lost to the Devils, the Flyers wanted revenge for [[Steve Richmond]]'s punch on [[Kjell Samuelsson]] at the end of the game; Hextall targeted Chevrier in a fight labelled by [[Chico Resch]] as "like a heavyweight against a lightweight."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/25/sports/hockey-devils-victory-marred-by-brawls.html?scp=21&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Devils' Victory Marred By Brawls|work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Yannis |first=Alex |date=January 25, 1987 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> Hextall and seven other players were fined $300 each for their part in the brawl.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/25/sports/hockey-devils-victory-marred-by-brawls.html?scp=21&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Islanders Tie On Late Goal |work=[[The New York Times]] |author=AP |date=February 7, 1987 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Hhof connsmythe.jpg|thumb|upright|Hextall's play in his [[rookie]] year in the [[National Hockey League|NHL]] earned him the [[Vezina Trophy]] and the pictured [[Conn Smythe Trophy]].]]
In 66 regular season games during his rookie year, Hextall posted a GAA of 3.00 and recorded 37 wins. He was awarded the [[Vezina Trophy]] for the most outstanding goaltender by the NHL general managers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24965 |title=Vezina Trophy |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> but he was second in the voting to [[Luc Robitaille]] for the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]], awarded to the "player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24931 |title=Trophy Tracker: Calder Memorial Trophy |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/stanley-cup-final-history-flyers/ |title=Falling short in the final |publisher=[[Rogers Sportsnet]] |last=Melo |first=Gary |date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> Hextall led the Flyers to top their Conference, and win the [[Prince of Wales Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SilverwareTrophyWinners.jsp?tro=PWT |title=Prince of Wales Trophy Winners |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> The Flyers progressed to face the Edmonton Oilers in the [[1987 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]], having beaten the [[New York Rangers]] 4–2, the [[New York Islanders]] 4–3, and the [[Montreal Canadiens]] 4–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=nhl1927&season=1987&leaguenm=NHL |title=1986–87 NHL Playoff Results |publisher=hockeyDB.com |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> Following their series victory over Montreal, Flyers captain [[Dave Poulin]] identified Hextall as the team's leading performer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/15/sports/flyers-win-4-3-to-gain-final.html?scp=60&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Flyers Win, 4–3, To Gain Final |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=May 15, 1987 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> In the fourth game of the Finals, Hextall received two penalties, first a ten-minute misconduct penalty for "expressing his displeasure at the fourth Oiler goal," and later a five-minute penalty for [[Slashing (ice hockey)|slashing]] [[Kent Nilsson]]. In the latter incident, Hextall had received a slash from [[Glenn Anderson]] for which there was no call from the referees,  and Hextall sought revenge by striking the back of Nilsson's knees. After the game Hextall expressed remorse for striking the wrong player but not for his action:

<blockquote>If somebody slaps you in the face, you're going to slap him back, it's not like he gave me a touch to jar the puck. What's he going to do next, break my arm? I'm sorry it was Nilsson and not Anderson I hit, but I just reacted. At the time, it seemed the right thing to do.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/26/sports/nhl-playoffs-flyers-feisty-under-pressure.html?scp=68&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=N.H.L. Playoffs; Flyers Feisty Under Pressure |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=May 26, 1987 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref></blockquote>

The performance of Hextall in the next game tied the series and forced a [[Game seven|seventh game]]; at the end, the Flyers team surrounded Hextall in congratulation and the Oilers player [[Kevin Lowe]] said that Hextall "held them in it".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/28/sports/nhl-playoffs-flyers-comeback-is-shock-to-oilers.html?scp=70&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=N.H.L. Playoffs; Flyers' Comeback Is Shock to Oilers |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=May 28, 1987 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> Between the sixth and seventh games, the Oilers' forward [[Wayne Gretzky]] described Hextall as "probably the best goaltender I've ever played against in the NHL."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/30/sports/just-another-rally-for-flyers.html?scp=72&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Just Another Rally For Flyers |work=[[The New York Times]] |author=AP |date=May 30, 1987 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> Edmonton won the final game of the series to take the Stanley Cup. Robin Finn, writing in ''[[The New York Times]]'', said that the team won the title "without their trademark, those endless waves of madcap scoring", primarily due to the "heroics of Hextall".<ref name="Finn6187">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/01/sports/oilers-take-to-defense-and-win-stanley-cup.html?scp=74&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Oilers Take To Defense And Win Stanley Cup |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=June 1, 1987 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> Flyers teammate [[Rick Tocchet]] said that when he realised his side were going to lose, his "first thought was to feel sorry for Ronny Hextall, because he did everything he could to get us here and keep us in it."<ref name="Finn6187"/> Hextall was awarded the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] for the most valuable player in the playoffs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashconnsmythe.htm |title=Conn Smythe Trophy |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=March 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813175927/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashconnsmythe.htm |archive-date=August 13, 2007 }}</ref> becoming only the fourth player from a losing side to be awarded the trophy.<ref name="Finn6187"/> During the off-season, Hextall received an eight-game suspension for the start of the [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88 season]] after his slash on Nilsson. Speaking on behalf of the NHL, [[Brian O'Neill (ice hockey b. 1929)|Brian O'Neill]] said that: "There is no justification for any player to swing his stick in retaliation and this is especially the case for a goaltender whose stick, because of its weight, can cause serious injury."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2DC1231F937A15755C0A961948260&scp=10&sq=Ron%20Hextall&st=cse |title=Sports People; Hextall Suspended |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 24, 1987 |access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref>

{{quote box|align=left|quote=I don't mean to sound cocky, but I knew it was just a matter of time before I flipped one in.|source= — Hextall addresses the media after scoring his first NHL goal<ref name="ADB66"/>|width=25%}}

The Flyers had a difficult start to the [[1987–88 Philadelphia Flyers season|1987–88 season]], partly attributed by Keenan to the absence of Hextall.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/26/sports/nhl-this-time-rangers-take-on-hextall.html?scp=84&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=N.H.L.; This Time Rangers Take On Hextall |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=October 26, 1987 |access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> Hextall returned to the Flyers line-up against the [[New York Rangers]], and made over 40&nbsp;saves in a 2–2 tie.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/26/sports/nhl-this-time-rangers-take-on-hextall.html?scp=84&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Rangers Hold Flyers to 2–2 Tie |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=October 27, 1987 |access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> Just over a month later, on December 8, 1987, Hextall became the [[List of goaltenders who have scored a goal in an NHL game|first goaltender to shoot at goal and score in the NHL]] when he scored an [[empty net goal]] towards the end of a game against the [[Boston Bruins]].{{#tag:ref|[[Billy Smith (ice hockey)|Billy Smith]] was the first NHL goaltender to be credited with a goal, on November&nbsp;28,&nbsp;1979, when he was the last player on the [[New York Islanders]] team to touch the puck before opposition defencemen [[Rob Ramage]] passed the puck into his own net.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/09/sports/hextall-shoots-scores.html?scp=99&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hextall Shoots, Scores |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=Associated Press |date=December 9, 1987 |access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref>|group="note"}} The Flyers led 4–2 which prompted the Bruins to [[Glossary of ice hockey terms#P|pull]] their goaltender in favour of an [[extra attacker]]. The puck was [[Glossary of ice hockey terms#D|dumped]] into the Philadelphia [[Glossary of ice hockey terms#Z|zone]] by the Bruins, and Hextall picked it up without any players near him; his shot fired into the air, bounced and rolled into the net.<ref name="when">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/10/sports/nhl-notebook-flyer-goalie-s-goal-a-matter-of-when.html?scp=100&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=N.H.L. Notebook; Flyer Goalie's Goal: 'A Matter of When' |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Yannis |first=Alex |date=December 10, 1987 |access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> Hextall had targeted becoming the "first NHL goaltender to score a true goal" over a year earlier,<ref name="SIchip"/> and, speaking after the game, commented that: "I knew I could do it. It was a matter of when."<ref name="when"/> Despite his early season suspension, and a shoulder injury late in the season which made him miss five games,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/30/sports/islanders-continue-to-roll.html?scp=133&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Islanders Continue To Roll |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=March 30, 1988 |access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> Hextall played 62&nbsp;of the 67&nbsp;games for which he was available during the regular season. He recorded 30&nbsp;wins, and a GAA of&nbsp;3.50, slightly higher than during his rookie year.<ref name="LoH"/> Hextall struggled in the playoffs: he was replaced in successive games of the series against the [[Washington Capitals]] having conceded four goals in each.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/14/sports/flyers-hextall-struggles.html?scp=140&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Flyers' Hextall Struggles |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 14, 1988 |access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> In the final two games of the series, which the Capitals won 4–3, Hextall gave up a further 12&nbsp;goals, and completed the playoffs with a GAA of&nbsp;4.75.<ref name="LoH"/>

[[File:Hextall OnIce.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Hextall in 1987, pictured alongside [[Rick Tocchet]]]]
In each of his first two seasons, Hextall accumulated 104&nbsp;[[Penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]] during the regular season,<ref name="hockeydb">{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=2264 |title=Ron Hextall hockey statistics & profile |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> the first time that a goaltender had collected over 100.<ref name="LoH"/> In the [[1988–89 NHL season|1988–89 season]], he broke his own record, being assessed 113&nbsp;penalty minutes,<ref name="hockeydb"/> the most by any goaltender in an NHL season (as of 2015).<ref name="mobile">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/ron-hextall-the-mobile-goalie-1.948275 |title=Ron Hextall: The mobile goalie |publisher=[[CBC Sports]] |date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/records/most-penalty-minutes-in-one-season-by-nhl-goalies.html|title=Most Penalty Minutes in One Season by NHL Goalies|website=QuantHockey|access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> Hextall completed the 1988–89 regular season with 30&nbsp;wins, the third consecutive season in which he had recorded so many, and the first time a goaltender had recorded 30&nbsp;wins in each of their first three seasons in the NHL.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/2008/03/09/2008-03-09_goalie_coach_benoit_allaire_has_knack_fo.html | title=Goalie coach Benoit Allaire has knack for keeping Henrik Lundqvist up |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York | last=Dellapina | first=John | date=March 9, 2008 | access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312035404/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/2008/03/09/2008-03-09_goalie_coach_benoit_allaire_has_knack_fo.html| archive-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> The Flyers finished fourth in the [[Patrick Division]] and qualified for the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19271989.html |title=1988–89 National Hockey League (NHL) standings |publisher=The Internet Hockey Database |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> They faced the Washington Capitals in the first round, and the teams shared the first four games. The Flyers won the fifth, despite being 5–4 down in the third [[Ice hockey#Periods and overtime|period]]. Flyers' defenceman [[Mark Howe]] credited their victory to Hextall. Late in the game, the Capitals pulled their goaltender, and Hextall scored the second goal of his career. The puck was shot into the Flyers' left defensive zone by [[Scott Stevens]], and Hextall went around the back of his net, controlled the puck and shot at the goal. He became the first goaltender to score a goal in the NHL playoffs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/12/sports/hextall-does-it-all.html?scp=190&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hextall Does It All |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=April 12, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> The Flyers won 8–5, and went on to win the series 4–2, which Joe Sexton of ''The New York Times'' attributed primarily to Hextall's return to form.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/17/sports/a-dethroning-gretzky-style.html?scp=191&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=A Dethroning, Gretzky-Style |work=The New York Times |last=Sexton |first=Joe |date=April 17, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref>

Against the Penguins in the Patrick Division Final, Hextall's performances were mixed: he under-performed early in the series, and in game five was swapped out of the net and then reinstated twice during a 10–7&nbsp;defeat for the Flyers. Hextall faced 17&nbsp;shots in the game, conceding nine of the Penguins goals. After the game, he denied being out of control, despite having assaulted one of the officials and chasing [[Rob Brown (ice hockey)|Rob Brown]] around the ice. He said, "I like to think I'm strong mentally. Hey, if I was as out of control as people say I am, I wouldn't be in the National Hockey League."<ref name="ooc">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/29/sports/hockey-hextall-goes-out-of-control-to-help-flyers.html?scp=197&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Hextall Goes Out of Control to Help Flyers |work=The New York Times |last=Sexton |first=Joe |date=April 29, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> The Penguins coach, [[Gene Ubriaco]], agreed with Hextall's assessment, and believed the goaltender lost control intentionally: "He uses a loss of control to his advantage, in a way. He's the extreme example of controlled violence. And they [the Flyers] live and die with it."<ref name="ooc"/> The Flyers won the next game to force a decider, but Hextall was ruled out of the contest with a first degree [[sprain]] of the [[medial collateral ligament]] (MCL) in his right knee.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/30/sports/pro-hockey-flyers-eliminate-the-penguins.html?scp=198&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Pro Hockey; Flyers Eliminate the Penguins |work=The New York Times |last=Sexton |first=Joe |date=April 30, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> Hextall's injury kept him out of the first three games of the series against the Canadiens, during which the Canadiens took a 2–1 lead. He returned for the fourth game, but could not prevent his side losing 3–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/08/sports/nhl-playoffs-canadiens-get-3-1-series-lead.html?scp=205&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=N.H.L. Playoffs; Canadiens Get 3–1 Series Lead |work=The New York Times |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=May 8, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> The Flyers won the following game to extend the series to six games, but lost the next game 4–2, and were eliminated. Hextall displayed his violent side during the final minutes of game six, skating out of his [[Ice hockey rink#Goal area|crease]] to attack [[Chris Chelios]]. Hextall claimed that the attack was in retaliation for Chelios' hit on his Flyer teammate [[Brian Propp]] in game one,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/20/sports/sports-people-hockey-hextall-unrepentant.html?scp=209&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Sports People: Hockey; Hextall Unrepentant |work=The New York Times |date=May 20, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> when Chelios caught Flyer Propp with a "flying elbow" to the side of the head, rendering him unconscious.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/02/sports/flyers-stun-canadiens-in-opener.html?scp=200&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Flyers Stun Canadiens in Opener |work=The New York Times |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=May 2, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> Hextall was given a 12-game suspension for his actions, at the beginning of the [[1989–90 NHL season|1989–90 season]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/23/sports/nhl-gives-hextall-12-game-suspension-for-attack-on-chelios.html?scp=211&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=N.H.L. Gives Hextall 12-Game Suspension for Attack on Chelios |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=May 23, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> Following the announcement of the suspension, Hextall stated his disappointment, and added that his intention was to fight rather than hurt Chelios.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/24/sports/sports-people-hockey-hextall-disappointed.html?scp=213&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Sports People: Hockey; Hextall Disappointed |work=The New York Times |date=May 24, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref>

====Contract rebel and injury troubles====
Prior to the [[1989–90 NHL season|1989–90 season]], Hextall became unhappy that his eight-year, $4&nbsp;million contract was only earning him $325,000 a year, and hired a confrontational agent, [[Ritch Winter]], to renegotiate his contract. The Flyers refused to deal with the agent, and at a tearful press conference, Hextall declared his contract invalid and announced that he would not take part in the team's training camp. After negotiations about which neither side revealed details, Hextall returned to practice with the team on October&nbsp;20, 42&nbsp;days later.<ref name="SItick"/><ref name="practice">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/20/sports/sports-people-hockey-hextall-to-practice.html?scp=217&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Sports People: Hockey; Hextall to Practice |work=The New York Times |date=October 20, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> Hextall suffered a slight groin pull during his first game back,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/06/sports/a-weak-3d-period-undoes-islanders.html?scp=220&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=A Weak 3d Period Undoes Islanders |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=November 6, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> and in his second, he hurt his left [[hamstring]]. Just under a month later, while playing for the [[Hershey Bears]] in an attempt to establish his fitness, he was carried off the ice after once more hurting his groin.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/14/sports/sports-people-pro-hockey-adding-injury-to-insult.html?scp=224&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Sports People: Pro Hockey; Adding Injury to Insult |work=The New York Times |date=December 14, 1989 |access-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> In total that season, Hextall appeared nine times; once for the Bears in the AHL, and eight times for the Flyers. In the NHL, he recorded a GAA of&nbsp;4.15, the highest he averaged during any single season of the NHL.<ref name="LoH"/>

Hextall continued to be plagued by groin injuries during the next two seasons, twice straining his left groin muscle in the [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91 season]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/1995-02-04/sports/25705459_1_groin-injuries-ron-hextall-flyers-coach-terry-murray |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709154530/http://articles.philly.com/1995-02-04/sports/25705459_1_groin-injuries-ron-hextall-flyers-coach-terry-murray |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |title=Hextall Is Sidelined By Groin It's Soreness, Not A Pull. The Goalie's History Of Groin Pulls Make The Flyers Want To Play It Safe. |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |publisher=[[Philadelphia Media Network]] |last=Miles |first=Gary |date=February 4, 1995 |access-date=April 3, 2011}}</ref> The Flyers' [[orthopaedist]], Dr. Arthur Bartolozzi, suggested a possible reason for his series of injuries:

<blockquote>He is in motion anticipating the shot before the guy even hits the puck. So he's already on the ice or doing a split or anticipating the shot well before it's made. That's probably what makes him a great goaltender. But it's also what may predispose him to injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/1991-03-15/sports/25791002_1_adams-division-leader-boston-ron-hextall-bartolozzi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102332/http://articles.philly.com/1991-03-15/sports/25791002_1_adams-division-leader-boston-ron-hextall-bartolozzi |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |title=On Ice For 4 Weeks Doc Calls Hextall Injury 'Moderate' Groin Pull |work=[[Philadelphia Daily News]] |publisher=[[Philadelphia Media Network]] |last=Domowitch |first=Paul |date=March 15, 1991 |access-date=April 3, 2011}}</ref></blockquote>

In [[1990–91 Philadelphia Flyers season|1990–91]], Hextall appeared in 36&nbsp;NHL games, less than half of those played by the Flyers that season. He recorded 13&nbsp;wins, with a GAA of&nbsp;3.13.<ref name="LoH"/> For the second successive year, the Flyers failed to qualify for the playoffs. Early the following season, Hextall received the third significant suspension of his career, missing six games for [[Slashing (ice hockey)|slashing]] [[Detroit Red Wings|Detroit]] forward [[Jim Cummins (ice hockey)|Jim Cummins]] during a preseason game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/02/sports/sports-people-hockey-hextall-suspended.html?scp=252&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Sports People: Hockey; Hextall Suspended |work=The New York Times |date=October 2, 1991 |access-date=April 3, 2011}}</ref> Suspension, further injuries, and a lack of form meant Hextall appeared 45&nbsp;times for the Flyers. He recorded 16&nbsp;wins during the season, resulting in his lowest win percentage in the NHL, 35.56%.<ref name="LoH"/>

===Quebec Nordiques (1992–1993)===
In the 1992 off-season, Hextall was part of the [[Eric Lindros trade|trade]] which brought [[Eric Lindros]] to the Philadelphia Flyers. Lindros, who had been picked first overall by the [[Quebec Nordiques]] in the [[1991 NHL Entry Draft|1991 entry draft]], had refused to play for Quebec during the [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92 season]], forcing the club's owner [[Marcel Aubut]] to trade him.<ref name="pacifier">{{cite magazine |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1992/10/26/pass-the-pacifier-the-flyers-fabulous-fledgling-eric-lindros-received-an-infantile-reception-in-quebec |title=Pass The Pacifier |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=Time Warner |date=October 26, 1992 |last=Scher |first=Jon |volume=77 |issue=18 |pages=50–53 |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> While negotiating to get the best possible deal, Aubut traded Lindros to both the Flyers and the Rangers, meaning an arbitrator had to rule which club should receive him.<ref name="arbit">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/22/sports/hockey-arbitrator-is-selected-in-ranger-flyer-dispute.html?scp=271&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Arbitrator Is Selected In Ranger-Flyer Dispute |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=June 22, 1992 |access-date=April 6, 2011}}</ref> During the ten days between the trades being made and the arbitrator's ruling, there was a lot of speculation about which Flyers' and Rangers' players were involved in the potential trades.<ref name="pacifier"/><ref name="arbit"/> Hextall was among the players mentioned, something which he was unhappy about. Speaking through his agent, Hextall admitted to being "scared to death" about the possibility of moving with his family to the French-speaking area.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.philly.com/1992-06-25/sports/26029647_1_flyers-goalie-ron-hextall-flyers-and-rangers-steve-mountain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102336/http://articles.philly.com/1992-06-25/sports/26029647_1_flyers-goalie-ron-hextall-flyers-and-rangers-steve-mountain |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |title=Hextall Rooting Against Flyers In The Fight For Lindros The Goalie Could Be Part Of The Flyers' Trade Package. His Agent Says He Wants No Part Of Quebec. |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |publisher=Philadelphia Media Network |last=Parrillo |first=Ray |date=June 25, 1992 |access-date=April 6, 2011}}</ref> On July&nbsp;30, the arbitrator ruled in favour of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Hextall was traded to Quebec, along with five other players, two first round selections (in [[1993 NHL Entry Draft|1993]] and [[1994 NHL Entry Draft|1994]]), and $15,000,000 cash for Lindros.<ref name="LoH"/>

In ''[[The New York Times]]'' preview of the [[Adams Division]] for the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 season]], Hextall is described as "inconsistent and injury-prone", while the players gained in the Lindros trade were collectively dubbed as "good players but no superstars."<ref name="adams">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/05/sports/nhl-92-93-adams-division.html?scp=278&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=N.H.L. '92–'93: Adams Division|work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=October 5, 1992 |access-date=April 6, 2011}}</ref> Hextall regained some of the confidence he displayed during his first years in Philadelphia,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/06/sports/hockey-islanders-go-quietly-against-nordiques.html?scp=287&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Islanders Go Quietly Against Nordiques |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=January 6, 1993 |access-date=April 6, 2011 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and although a strained thigh muscle kept him out towards the end of the regular season,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/25/sports/hockey-first-islanders-pack-up-then-head-out-happy.html?scp=291&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; First, Islanders Pack Up Then Head Out Happy |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=February 25, 1993 |access-date=April 6, 2011}}</ref> he helped the Nordiques to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1987.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/19/sports/hockey-quebec-down-2-0-wins-in-overtime.html?scp=294&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Quebec, Down 2–0, Wins in Overtime |work=The New York Times |date=April 19, 1993 |access-date=April 6, 2011}}</ref> Quebec were eliminated 4–2 by the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in the first round, during which Hextall was praised as being "at the top of his game".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/25/sports/hockey-overtime-pays-as-buffalo-sweeps-bruins.html?scp=296&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Overtime Pays as Buffalo Sweeps Bruins |work=The New York Times |date=April 25, 1993 |access-date=April 6, 2011}}</ref>

===New York Islanders (1993–1994)===
After only one season with the Nordiques, Hextall was traded to the [[New York Islanders]] in return for [[Mark Fitzpatrick]] on June 20, 1993, a move made because the Nordiques could only protect one goalie for the [[1993 NHL Expansion Draft|expansion draft]] and instead of losing him chose to trade him to Long Island. The two teams also traded first-round draft picks. The move was a surprise for Hextall, who had settled in well in Quebec with his family. [[Don Maloney]], the Islanders' general manager, described the trade as "too good to pass up".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/21/sports/hockey-islanders-get-hextall-and-deal-fitzpatrick.html?scp=299&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Islanders Get Hextall And Deal Fitzpatrick |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=June 21, 1993 |access-date=April 6, 2011}}</ref> The trade was praised on the Islanders' side by ''The New York Times'' as possibly "the best in the league over the off season".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/04/sports/93-nhl-94-atlantic-division.html?scp=316&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title='93 N.H.L. '94; Atlantic Division |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=October 4, 1993 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> Hextall had a poor beginning to his career as an Islander, conceding 23&nbsp;goals in 14&nbsp;periods at the start of the [[1993–94 New York Islanders season|1993–94 season]], resulting in his replacement prior to the third period against the [[New Jersey Devils]] in mid-October. During that game, in which the Islanders were playing at home, Hextall was jeered by the crowd, something to which he had become accustomed during his time with Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/17/sports/hockey-devils-ride-semak-s-hat-trick-to-fifth-straight-victory.html?scp=321&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Devils Ride Semak's Hat Trick to Fifth Straight Victory |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=October 17, 1993 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> In contrast to the fans' derision, Hextall's teammates backed him, taking some of the blame themselves, and expressing their belief in their new colleague. [[Steve Thomas (ice hockey)|Steve Thomas]] suggested that Hextall was "one of the best goalies in the league, easily in the top five or&nbsp;10," while coach [[Al Arbour]] dismissed dropping Hextall, saying that "We're not playing well in front of the goaltender and he can only be as good as the guys in front of him."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/18/sports/hockey-the-great-goalie-debate-is-more-like-a-monologue.html?scp=322&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; The Great Goalie Debate Is More Like a Monologue |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=October 18, 1993 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> Any thoughts that Arbour might have had of replacing Hextall as the team's number-one goaltender were limited by the play of his back-up, [[Tom Draper]], who recorded a GAA of&nbsp;4.23 in the seven NHL games he played that season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1429 |title=Player Profile: Tom Draper |publisher=The Hockey Internet Database |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> This, coupled with the lack of experienced goaltenders at the club's IHL affiliate, the [[Salt Lake Golden Eagles]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/31/sports/hockey-islanders-father-time-is-losing-his-patience.html?scp=358&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Islanders' Father Time Is Losing His Patience |work=The New York Times |last=Eskenazi |first=Gerald |date=December 31, 1993 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> resulted in Hextall starting 20&nbsp;games in a row until [[Jamie McLennan]] was called up from the Golden Eagles.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/05/sports/hockey-hextall-s-schedule-catches-up-with-him.html?scp=360&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Hextall's Schedule Catches Up With Him |work=The New York Times |last=Yannis |first=Alex |date=January 5, 1994 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref>

The break, and challenge, that Hextall was afforded by McLennan's call-up helped him to recover his form, and in February, he made consecutive [[Shutout#Ice hockey|shutouts]] against the [[Ottawa Senators]] and [[Washington Capitals]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/22/sports/hockey-hextall-and-isles-zero-in-on-the-playoffs.html?scp=378&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Hextall and Isles Zero In on the Playoffs |work=The New York Times |date=February 22, 1994 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> He recorded another shutout in his next home game, against the Flyers,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/26/sports/hockey-it-s-getting-remarkable-3d-shutout-for-hextall.html?scp=380&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; It's Getting Remarkable: 3d Shutout for Hextall |work=The New York Times |date=February 26, 1994 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> and was shortly thereafter named as the NHL's player of the week.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/01/sports/sports-people-hockey-hextall-is-honored.html?scp=382&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Sports People: Hockey; Hextall Is Honored |work=The New York Times |date=March 1, 1994 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref>  During the regular season with the Islanders, Hextall recorded a career-best five shutouts, and a GAA of&nbsp;3.08, the best since his rookie year.<ref name="LoH"/> Maloney described Hextall's time with the team as having "a slow start and a disastrous finish".<ref name="reacquire">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-23-sp-42110-story.html |title=Flyers Reacquire Goalie Hextall From Islanders for Soderstrom |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |agency=Associated Press |date=September 23, 1994 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> The Islanders reached the playoffs, but were swept 4–0 by their rivals, the [[New York Rangers]]. Hextall played three of the four games, conceding 16&nbsp;goals for a GAA of&nbsp;6.08, the worst average of his NHL career by some distance.<ref name="LoH"/><ref name="reacquire"/> After the season had concluded, Maloney said that he believed that only two Islanders players had distinguished themselves during the 1993–94 season, with one of those being Jamie McLennan. He also praised Hextall's play during his long sequence of starts,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/27/sports/hockey-arbour-absent-as-autopsy-begins.html?scp=422&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Arbour Absent as Autopsy Begins |work=The New York Times |last=Finn |first=Robin |date=April 27, 1994 |access-date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> but five months later, Maloney traded Hextall back to Philadelphia. He described the move as being two-pronged: it would appease the fans and prevent the derisory calls when the team was struggling, and it would give McLennan a chance to establish himself as the number-one goaltender. Hextall was traded with a sixth-round draft pick to the Flyers for goaltender [[Tommy Söderström]] on September 22, 1994.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/sports/hockey-hextall-leaves-isles-in-swap-of-goalies.html?scp=425&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Hockey; Hextall Leaves Isles In Swap Of Goalies |last=Diamos |first=Jason |date=September 23, 1994 |access-date=April 9, 2011 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

===Return to Philadelphia (1994–1999)===
In the [[1994–95 Philadelphia Flyers season|1994–95 season]], his first season back in Philadelphia, Hextall played 31&nbsp;games and recorded his lowest GAA in a season to that point, 2.89.<ref name="LoH"/> The Flyers reached the playoffs for the first time in six years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=philadelphpost |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523163255/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=philadelphpost |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |title=Philadelphia Flyers playoff history |publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |access-date=April 24, 2011 }}</ref> After defeating the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in the first round, the Flyers faced the New York Rangers in the second. Following the Rangers sweep of the Islanders the previous season, the Rangers' fans chanted "We Want Hex-tall!" during their game-six victory in the first round. The Flyers' coach, [[Terry Murray]] dismissed the chants, stating that "emotionally he's really under control." ''The New York Times'' supported this belief, claiming that "this isn't the same Ron Hextall they remember so fondly".<ref>{{cite news |title=Sports of The Times; It's Not The Same Hextall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/23/sports/sports-of-the-times-it-s-not-the-same-hextall.html?scp=457&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |work=The New York Times |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=May 23, 1995 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> The Flyers won the first two games of the series, and at [[Madison Square Garden]], Hextall had a quiet game in which he even acted as a calming influence to teammates [[Kevin Haller]] and [[Dmitri Yushkevich]], a turnaround from the aggressiveness he had displayed earlier in his career.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/25/sports/1995-nhl-playoffs-hextall-stays-focused-amid-noise-in-garden.html?scp=459&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=1995 N.H.L. Playoffs; Hextall Stays Focused Amid Noise in Garden |work=The New York Times |last=Moran |first=Malcolm |date=May 25, 1995 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> The Flyers swept the Rangers 4–0 and advanced to the Conference Final against the [[New Jersey Devils]], to whom they lost 4–2.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/14/sports/1995-nhl-playoffs-banishing-game-6-ghosts-devils-set-sights-on-cup.html?scp=478&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=1995 N.H.L. Playoffs; Banishing Game 6 Ghosts, Devils Set Sights on Cup |work=The New York Times |last=Yannis |first=Alex |date=June 14, 1995 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> Hextall's statistics in the playoffs were his best since his rookie year: he recorded ten wins with a GAA of&nbsp;2.81.<ref name="LoH"/>

For the first time in three seasons, Hextall was not traded during the off-season, and remained with the Flyers for the [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]].<ref name="LoH"/> During the regular season, Hextall improved on his figures from the previous year, passing 30&nbsp;wins for the first time since 1988–89. His GAA of&nbsp;2.17 was both the best in the NHL that year,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/16/sports/us-world-cup-team-taps-leetch-as-captain.html?scp=515&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=U.S. World Cup Team Taps Leetch as Captain |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=August 16, 1996 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> and the best of Hextall's career.<ref name="LoH"/> In the playoffs, Hextall played in all twelve of the Flyers' games, a 4–2 first round victory over the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] followed by a 4–2 defeat to the [[Florida Panthers]]. His GAA of&nbsp;2.13 was his lowest recorded in any postseason.<ref name="LoH"/> He continued to perform well over the next two seasons, passing 30&nbsp;wins again in [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]], and adding another nine [[shutout]]s to the four he had made in 1995–96. Over his first five seasons in the NHL, Hextall only made one shutout, while in his final six seasons, he achieved the feat on nineteen occasions.<ref name="LoH"/> The Flyers progressed to the [[1997 Stanley Cup Finals]], though Hextall only appeared in eight playoff games, finishing seven of them. Throughout the season and the playoffs, the uncertainty in goal resulted in Hextall and [[Garth Snow]] swapping places regularly.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/16/sports/time-to-drop-the-puck-on-stanley-cup-season.html?scp=542&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Time to Drop the Puck On Stanley Cup Season |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=April 16, 1997 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> Snow started nine of the ten games during the first two rounds,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/15/sports/flyers-question-who-will-start-in-goal.html?scp=552&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Flyers' Question: Who Will Start in Goal? |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |work=The New York Times |date=May 15, 1997 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> but Hextall replaced him in game two of the Conference Final, and remained the starting goaltender for the remainder of the series. A loss against the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in the first game of the Stanley Cup finals resulted in coach Murray switching back to Snow for the second game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/03/sports/it-s-snow-as-flyers-switch-goalies.html?scp=574&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=It's Snow As Flyers Switch Goalies |work=The New York Times |last=Diamos |first=Jason |date=June 3, 1997 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> Hextall returned for games three and four, but the Flyers were swept 4–0 by the Red Wings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/08/sports/legion-of-brooms-red-wings-wait-ends-with-sweep.html?scp=580&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Legion of Brooms: Red Wings' Wait Ends With Sweep |work=The New York Times |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |date=June 8, 1997 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref>

In his final two playing seasons, both spent at the Flyers, Hextall made fewer appearances; he played 46&nbsp;games in {{NHL Year|1997}}, and 23 in {{NHL Year|1998}}. He maintained a sub-3.00 GAA in each year, repeating the achievement in each of his final five seasons in the NHL having failed to do so in the previous eight seasons.<ref name="LoH"/> At the end of {{NHL Year|1998}}, Hextall was [[Waivers (NHL)|waived]] by the Flyers,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/02/sports/plus-hockey-philadelphia-hextall-is-waived-career-may-be-over.html?scp=629&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Plus: Hockey – Philadelphia; Hextall Is Waived; Career May Be Over |work=The New York Times |date=July 2, 1999 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> and after going unclaimed in the [[1999 NHL Expansion Draft|expansion draft]], he announced his retirement on September&nbsp;6,&nbsp;1999.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/07/sports/plus-hockey-philadelphia-hextall-retires.html?scp=630&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Plus: Hockey – Philadelphia; Hextall Retires |work=The New York Times |date=September 7, 1999 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref>

==International career==
Hextall's first international recognition came when he was named as part of [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Team Canada's]] squad for the [[1987 Canada Cup]]. During a practice session, he chopped [[Sylvain Turgeon]]'s arm with his stick during a scrimmage, claiming that the left wing was too close to the goal. Turgeon missed the tournament with a fractured arm; Hextall was back-up to [[Grant Fuhr]] and did not play a single game.<ref name="LoH"/> He later represented Canada in the [[1992 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|1992 World Championships]], playing five games to record one win and a GAA of 2.86 as Canada were eliminated in the quarter-finals.<ref name="LoH"/>

==Playing style and criticism==
[[File:Hextall InGoal.jpg|thumb|250px|upright|Hextall in goal during the 1992 Flyers' Wives Carnival]]
Hextall brought a new style of goaltending to the NHL, providing support to his two defencemen due to his willingness to come out of the net and play the puck.<ref name="emulate">{{cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=413377 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320063740/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=413377 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 20, 2009 |title=Brodeur liked, emulated Hextall's game |publisher=National Hockey League |last=Rosen |first=Dan |date=December 3, 2009 |access-date=April 3, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bestphiladelphia0000kara |url-access=registration |quote=Ron Hextall Hershey. |title=The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments: The 100 Most Controversial, Debatable Questions for Die-Hard Fans |last=Karabell |first=Eric |publisher=Sourcebooks, Inc |year=2008 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bestphiladelphia0000kara/page/269 269] |isbn=978-1-4022-1412-7 |access-date=April 4, 2011}}</ref> He was known for his excellent puck-handling ability.<ref name="whoswho"/> In Hextall's time, goaltenders would limit themselves to stopping the puck behind the net, make short push passes, or at most clear the puck out of the zone with "clumsy" backhands.<ref name="ADB66">Allen, Duff, Bower; p. 66.</ref> He distinguished himself by using his stick as a defenceman would; for example, he was capable of starting a counterattack, easily lifting the puck or bouncing it off the glass. Hextall's puck-handling ability meant that it was inadvisable to try a [[dump and chase]] strategy of sending the puck in a corner, regaining it, and establishing an attack in the offensive zone, because Hextall would invariably get to the puck first and clear it out of his zone towards a waiting player in the neutral zone.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.philly.com/1990-10-04/sports/25892624_1_howe-and-kerr-flyers-president-jay-snider-flyers-fans/3 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707200622/http://articles.philly.com/1990-10-04/sports/25892624_1_howe-and-kerr-flyers-president-jay-snider-flyers-fans/3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |title=For Openers, They're Healthy Flyers Out To Start Washing Away Last Season's Bitter Taste Tonight |work=[[Philadelphia Daily News]] |publisher=[[Knight Ridder]] |last=Bowen |first=Les |date=October 4, 1990 |access-date=August 18, 2011}}</ref> He was described by former NHL player [[Peter McNab]]  as the "original outlet pass goalie".<ref name="ADB66"/>
[[File:MartinBrodeur.jpg|thumb|150px|left|[[Martin Brodeur]] admired and adopted Hextall's mobile style.<ref name="emulate"/>]]
While playing junior hockey, Hextall's coaches advised him that he would not reach the NHL if he continued to move the puck. Not everyone agreed; NHL goaltender [[Darren Pang]] described feeling as if "he had just witnessed Superman flying out of a phone booth" when he saw Hextall's puckhandling ability in a minor league game.<ref name="ADB65"/> Former NHL goaltender [[Johnny Bower]], when scouting for the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in Brandon, remarked that Hextall would at times let in soft goals, and doubted if he would reach the NHL; Hextall retained a tendency to let in occasional weak goals throughout his career.<ref name="ADB65">Allen, Duff, Bower; p. 65.</ref> Hextall claims his adventurous style stemmed from his youth, when he played on outdoor ice rinks with a [[Ice hockey stick|skater's stick]], rather than the heftier goaltender's stick. [[Martin Brodeur]] modelled his own play on that of Hextall, saying "I love the fact that he was playing the puck. He was one of the first goalies that came out and played the puck. He was a little rough for my liking, but it was entertaining. The playing of the puck was the big thing."<ref name="emulate"/> Hextall's mobility provided extra passing opportunities for his defencemen: when killing a penalty they would frequently pass the puck back to him, relieving some of the pressure on his team. He is described on the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]]'s ''Legends of Hockey'' website as being "perhaps the game's most mobile goalie of all time."<ref name="LoH"/>

Hextall was also notorious for his highly aggressive and intimidating style of play. [[Frank Orr]], a columnist in the ''[[Toronto Star]]'', suggested that Hextall's aggressive nature, which resulted in three suspensions of six or more games during his NHL career, was an intentional part of his game designed to protect him. He theorized that because Hextall's style of play frequently took him out of his goal crease, the threat of physical violence lessened the chances of him being challenged by an attacker when out of position.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/21/sports/views-of-sport-selective-craziness-builds-aura-of-fear.html?scp=210&sq=Ron+Hextall&st=nyt |title=Views of Sport; Selective Craziness Builds Aura of Fear |work=The New York Times |last=Orr |first=Frank |date=May 21, 1989 |access-date=April 3, 2011}}</ref> In the 1993 playoff series between the Montreal Canadiens and Hextall's Nordiques, the Canadiens' coach [[Jacques Demers]] designed a plan to disrupt Hextall's play after Montreal had lost its two first games to Quebec. He noted that Hextall would be off his game if he were disturbed or bumped.<ref name="ADB67">Allen, Duff, Bower; p. 67.</ref> Montreal then won four straight games to win the series in six games. Demers felt that Hextall's emotional play lessened his effectiveness; while acknowledging him as a "great competitor", he felt that "he didn't reach the level of a [[Grant Fuhr]] or a Martin Brodeur [because] he lost his cool if you got in his face."<ref name="ADB67"/>

[[Rogie Vachon]], who served as the general manager of the [[Los Angeles Kings]] during the early part of the Hextall's playing career, praised his goaltending ability, but felt that his aggressive conduct "shouldn't be in hockey and I think it tarnishes his image, too. He can play. He doesn't need that shit."<ref name="crowe">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-27-sp-12067-story.html |title=Tough in the Nets : Flyers' Hextall Makes Plenty of Saves, but Few Friends, With His Goaltending |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |last=Crowe |first=Jerry |date=February 27, 1988 |access-date=April 4, 2011}}</ref> His view was shared by many, leading Hextall to be tagged as one of the most "revered and reviled" players in the league.<ref name="crowe"/> Former NHL goaltender [[John Davidson (ice hockey)|John Davidson]] commented that Hextall "thrived" on being a villain; he further described him as a "great character", and noted that "when he came to town, fans would want to race to the arena to boo him."<ref name="ADB66"/>

==Management career==
[[File:Paul Holmgren, Ed Snider, Ron Hextall.jpg|thumb|right|Ron Hextall (r) with Flyers' President [[Paul Holmgren]] (l) and Chairman [[Ed Snider]] (c) on May 7, 2014, as he was named general manager of the team]]
Upon his retirement from playing in 1999, Hextall immediately joined the Philadelphia Flyers' staff as a professional scout. He was promoted to director of professional player personnel three years later and was considered by the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame to be a key factor in the success experienced by the Flyers during the early 2000s when they won the [[Atlantic Division (NHL)|Atlantic Division]] three times while reaching the [[NHL Conference Finals#Prince of Wales Conference/Eastern Conference|Eastern Conference Finals]] on two occasions.<ref name="mshof">{{cite web|url=http://www.halloffame.mb.ca/honoured/2007/rhextall.htm |title=Honoured Members: Ron Hextall |publisher=Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=April 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527154902/http://www.halloffame.mb.ca/honoured/2007/rhextall.htm |archive-date=May 27, 2008 }}</ref> In June&nbsp;2006, Hextall moved to the [[Los Angeles Kings]] to take on the role of vice president and assistant general manager. In addition, Hextall served as the general manager of the [[Manchester Monarchs (AHL)|Manchester Monarchs]] of the AHL, the Kings' primary minor league affiliate.<ref name="mshof"/> On June 11, 2012, Hextall finally won a [[Stanley Cup]], as the assistant general manager of the Kings. On July 15, 2013, Hextall returned to the Flyers and was named assistant general manager and director of hockey operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=678000 |title=Flyers name Ron Hextall Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations |publisher=Philadelphia Flyers |date=July 15, 2013 |access-date=March 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718050455/http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=678000|archive-date=July 18, 2013}}</ref> On May 7, 2014, Hextall was named general manager of the Flyers, following the promotion of [[Paul Holmgren]] to team president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=718273 |title=FLYERS PROMOTE PAUL HOLMGREN TO PRESIDENT; RON HEXTALL TO GENERAL MANAGER |publisher=Philadelphia Flyers |date=May 7, 2014 |access-date=March 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508062842/http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=718273|archive-date=May 8, 2014}}</ref> On November 26, 2018, the Flyers fired Hextall as general manager.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/philadelphia-flyers-fire-ron-hextall-amid-four-game-losing-streak-160713013.html |title=Philadelphia Flyers fire Ron Hextall after tough start to 2018–19 season |work=[[Yahoo Sports]] |date=November 26, 2018}}</ref> He was an advisor in the hockey operations department for the Kings.

On February 9, 2021, Hextall was announced as the new general manager for the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-name-ron-hextall-as-gm-brian-burke-as-president-of-hockey-ops/c-321240436|title=Penguins name Ron Hextall as GM, Brian Burke as President of Hockey Ops|publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins|date=February 9, 2021}}</ref> His tenure in Pittsburgh rapidly became controversial among fans and sports journalists, with ''[[The Athletic]]'' summarizing his tenure by calling him "one of the worst general managers in franchise history. He may well have destroyed the Penguins with his ghastly record of player transactions."<ref name=Athletic230414>{{cite web |title=Ron Hextall, in the end, didn't have the backbone for the Penguins' GM job|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4412478/2023/04/14/pittsburgh-penguins-ron-hextall-fired/ |website=[[The Athletic]] |last=Yohe |first=Josh |date=April 14, 2023 |access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref> Widely faulted moves through the 2022 off-season included trading [[Michael Matheson (ice hockey)|Mike Matheson]] for the older and more expensive [[Jeff Petry]], declining to retain [[John Marino]], and re-signing [[Kasperi Kapanen]] and an aging [[Jeff Carter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/core-deserves-better-pittsburgh-penguins|title=The Core Deserves Better from Penguins|last=Flavell|first=Cody|magazine=[[The Hockey News]]|date=April 12, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023}}</ref><ref name=Athletic230414/> The Penguins struggled throughout the [[2022-23 NHL season|2022–23 season]], and by the trade deadline were in danger of missing the [[2023 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]] for the first time in sixteen years. Hextall opted to clear [[salary cap]] space by trading or waiving a number of players, including Kapanen, but then made the widely criticized decision to trade a [[2023 NHL Entry Draft|2023 second-round pick]] to the [[Nashville Predators]] for [[Mikael Granlund]]. Granlund was considered a declining player with an undesirable contract, and would subsequently score only one goal in twenty games with the Penguins, dubbed "a complete non-factor."<ref name=BleacherReport>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10072235-embarrassing-end-to-penguins-season-must-conclude-with-owners-fsg-cleaning-house|title=Embarrassing End to Penguins' Season Must Conclude With Owners FSG Cleaning House|last=Gretz|first=Adam|website=[[The Bleacher Report]]|date=April 13, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023}}</ref> The Penguins ultimately missed the playoffs, ending their league-best appearance streak, leading to immediate calls for Hextall to be sacked.<ref name=BleacherReport/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dkpittsburghsports.com/2023/04/12/drive-to-the-net-sidney-crosby-evgeni-malkin-penguins-analysis-dvs|title=Squandered brilliance of Crosby, Malkin an epic fail|last=Shirey|first=Danny|website=DK Pittsburgh Sports|date=April 12, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2023/04/12/pittsburgh-penguins-nhl-playoff-picture-eastern-conference-new-york-islanders/stories/202304120074|title=The Penguins have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006. So what's next?|last=Vensel|first=Matt|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=April 13, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023}}</ref> On April 14, 2023, the Penguins announced that they had fired Hextall and executive [[Brian Burke (ice hockey)|Brian Burke]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Penguins Make Changes in Hockey Operations |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-make-changes-in-hockey-operations/c-343538926 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=NHL.com |date=April 14, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Hextall married [[Diane Ogibowski]], a former [[Figure skating|figure skater]],<ref name="SIchip"/> and the pair have four children: Kristin, [[Brett Hextall|Brett]], Rebecca, and Jeffrey.<ref name="mshof"/>

[[Brett Hextall]] was drafted by the [[Phoenix Coyotes]] as a sixth-round pick (159th overall) in the [[2008 NHL Entry Draft]]. He was signed to an entry-level contract with the team in April&nbsp;2011 and played for four seasons in the minor leagues before retiring. Had he made it to the NHL, Brett Hextall would have become the second fourth-generation player in NHL history, after [[Blake Geoffrion]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/coyotes-sign-brett-hextall/ |title=Coyotes sign Brett Hextall |publisher=[[Fox News]] |date=April 22, 2011 |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref>

His cousin [[Leah Hextall]] is an announcer for [[ESPN]].

==Awards and honours==
{| class="wikitable"
!Award!!Year(s)
|-
! colspan="2" | WHL
|-
| East Second All-Star Team || 1984
|-
! colspan="2" | AHL
|-
| [[Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award]] || 1986<ref name="LoH"/>
|-
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]] First All-Star Team || 1986<ref name="LoH"/>
|-
! colspan="2" | NHL
|-
| [[Vezina Trophy]] || 1987<ref name="LoH"/>
|-
| [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] || 1987<ref name="LoH"/>
|-
| [[NHL All-Rookie Team]] || 1987<ref name="LoH"/>
|-
| [[List of All-Star first-team NHL hockey players|NHL First All-Star Team]] || 1987<ref name="LoH"/>
|-
| [[NHL All-Star Game]] || [[39th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1988]]<ref name="LoH"/>
|-
! colspan="2" | Philadelphia Flyers
|-
| [[List of Philadelphia Flyers award winners#Bobby Clarke Trophy|Bobby Clarke Trophy]] || 1987, 1988, 1989
|-
| Inducted into Flyers Hall of Fame || 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=435967 |title=Hextall to be Inducted Into Flyers Hall of Fame |publisher=Philadelphia Flyers |date=November 12, 2007 |access-date=March 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324001627/http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=435967|archive-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="2" | Los Angeles Kings
|-
| [[Stanley Cup]] champion (as an assistant general manager/vice president) || 2012
|-
|}

==Records==

===NHL===
* Most penalty minutes by a goaltender in a single season – '''113''' ([[1988–89 NHL season|1988–89]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/records/most-penalty-minutes-in-one-season-by-nhl-goalies.html |title=Most Penalty Minutes in One Season by NHL Goalies |access-date=May 28, 2012}}</ref>

===Philadelphia Flyers===
* Most career games played by a goaltender – '''489'''<ref name="mobile"/>
* Most career wins – '''240'''<ref name="mobile"/>
* Most career playoff wins – '''45'''<ref name="mobile"/>
* Most career points by a goaltender – '''28'''<ref name="mobile"/>
* Most career penalty minutes by a goaltender – '''476'''<ref name="mobile"/>

==Career statistics==

===Regular season and playoffs===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:75%; text-align:center;"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |  
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |  
! colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | [[Regular season]]
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |  
! colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | [[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP !! W !! L !! T !! MIN !! GA !! [[Shutout#Ice hockey|SO]] !! [[Goals against average|GAA]] !! [[save percentage|SV%]]
! GP !! W !! L !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV%
|-
| 1980–81
| [[Melville Millionaires]]
| [[Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League|SJHL]]
| 37 || 7 || 24 || 0 || 2001 || 219 || 0 || 6.57 || — 
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1981–82 WHL season|1981–82]]
| [[Brandon Wheat Kings]]
| [[Western Hockey League|WHL]]
| 30 || 12 || 11 || 0 || 1398 || 133 || 0 || 5.71 || .864
| 3 || 0 || 2 || 103 || 16 || 0 || 9.32 || —
|-
| [[1982–83 WHL season|1982–83]]
| Brandon Wheat Kings
| WHL
| 44 || 13 || 30 || 0 || 2589 || 249 || 0 || 5.77 || — 
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1983–84 WHL season|1983–84]]
| Brandon Wheat Kings
| WHL
| 46 || 29 || 13 || 2 || 2670 || 190 || 0 || 4.27 || .883
| 10 || 5 || 5 || 592 || 37 || 0 || 3.75 || —
|- 
| [[1984–85 IHL season|1984–85]]
| [[Kalamazoo Wings (1974–2000)|Kalamazoo Wings]]
| [[International Hockey League (1945-2001)|IHL]]
| 19 || 6 || 11 || 1 || 1103 || 80 || 0 || 4.35 || —
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1984–85 AHL season|1984–85]]
| [[Hershey Bears]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| 11 || 4 || 6 || 0 || 555 || 34 || 0 || 3.68 || .888
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1985–86 AHL season|1985–86]]
| Hershey Bears
| AHL
| 53 || 30 || 19 || 2 || 3061 || 174 || 5 || 3.41 || .894
| 13 || 5 || 7 || 780 || 42 || 1 || 4.27 || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1986–87 NHL season|1986–87]]
| [[Philadelphia Flyers]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 66 || 37 || 21 || 6 || 3799 || 190 || 1 || 3.00 || .902
| 26 || 15 || 11 || 1540 || 71 || 2 || 2.77 || .908
|-
| [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 62 || 30 || 22 || 7 || 3560 || 208 || 0 || 3.51 || .885
| 7 || 2 || 4 || 379 || 30 || 0 || 4.75 || .847
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1988–89 NHL season|1988–89]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 64 || 30 || 28 || 6 || 3756 || 202 || 0 || 3.23 || .891
| 15 || 8 || 7 || 886 || 49 || 0 || 3.32 || .890
|-
| [[1989–90 NHL season|1989–90]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 8 || 4 || 2 || 1 || 419 || 29 || 0 || 3.67 || .880
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1989–90 AHL season|1989–90]]
| Hershey Bears
| AHL
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 49 || 3 || 0 || 3.67 || .880
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 36 || 13 || 16 || 5 || 2035 || 106 || 0 || 3.13 || .892
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 45 || 16 || 21 || 6 || 2668 || 151 || 3 || 3.40 || .883
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]]
| [[Quebec Nordiques]]
| NHL
| 54 || 29 || 16 || 5 || 2988 || 172 || 0 || 3.45 || .888
| 6 || 2 || 4 || 372 || 18 || 0 || 2.90 || .915
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94]]
| [[New York Islanders]]
| NHL
| 65 || 27 || 26 || 6 || 3581 || 184 || 5 || 3.08 || .898
| 3 || 0 || 3 || 158 || 16 || 0 || 6.08 || .800
|-
| [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 31 || 17 || 9 || 4 || 1824 || 88 || 1 || 2.89 || .890
| 15 || 10 || 5 || 897 || 42 || 0 || 2.81 || .904
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 53 || 31 || 13 || 7 || 3102 || 112 || 4 || 2.17 || .913
| 12 || 6 || 6 || 761 || 27 || 0 || 2.13 || .915
|-
| [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 55 || 31 || 16 || 5 || 3094 || 132 || 5 || 2.56 || .897
| 8 || 4 || 3 || 443 || 22 || 0 || 2.97 || .892
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 46 || 21 || 17 || 7 || 2688 || 97 || 4 || 2.17 || .911
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 20 || 1 || 0 || 3.00 || .875
|-
| [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]]
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 23 || 10 || 7 || 4 || 1235 || 52 || 0 || 2.53 || .888
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=3 | NHL totals
! 608 !! 296 !! 214 !! 69 !! 34,749 !! 1,723 !! 23 !! 2.98 !! .895
! 93 !! 47 !! 43 !! 5,456 !! 276 !! 2 !! 3.03 !! .897
|}

===International===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | 
! GP !! W !! L !! T !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA
|-
| [[1992 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships|1992]]
| [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[Ice Hockey World Championships|WC]]
| 5 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 273 || 13 || 0 || 2.86
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=4| Senior totals
! 5 !! 1 !! 2 !! 1 !! 273 !! 13 !! 0 !! 2.86
|}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |title= Without Fear: Hockey's 50 greatest goaltenders |last= Allen|first= Kevin|author2= Bower, Johnny|year=2002 |publisher= [[Triumph Books]]|location= [[Chicago]]|isbn= 978-1-57243-484-4|oclc= 49936232|author-link2= Johnny Bower}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Ice hockey stats}}
* [http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/hextall.html Ron Hextall biography] at [http://hockeygoalies.org The Goaltender Home Page] - advanced statistics and game logs

{{s-start}}
{{succession box | before = [[John Vanbiesbrouck]] | title = Winner of the [[Vezina Trophy]] | years = [[1986–87 NHL season|1987]] | after = [[Grant Fuhr]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Mark Howe]] | title = Winner of the [[Bobby Clarke Trophy]]| years = [[1986–87 NHL season|1987]]–[[1988–89 NHL season|1989]] | after = [[Rick Tocchet]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Patrick Roy]] | title = Winner of the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] | years = [[1986–87 NHL season|1987]] | after = [[Wayne Gretzky]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Paul Holmgren]] | title = [[List of Philadelphia Flyers general managers|General manager of the Philadelphia Flyers]] | years = [[2014–15 NHL season|2014]]–[[2018–19 NHL season|2018]] | after = [[Chuck Fletcher]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Patrik Allvin]]<br><small>(interim)</small> | title = [[List of Pittsburgh Penguins general managers|General manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins]] | years = [[2020–21 NHL season|2021]]–[[2022–23 NHL season|2023]] | after = [[Kyle Dubas]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hextall, Ron}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Brandon Wheat Kings players]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders]]
[[Category:Conn Smythe Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Hershey Bears players]]
[[Category:Kalamazoo Wings (1974–2000) players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Kings executives]]
[[Category:Melville Millionaires players]]
[[Category:National Hockey League All-Stars]]
[[Category:National Hockey League executives]]
[[Category:National Hockey League general managers]]
[[Category:New York Islanders players]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Flyers draft picks]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Flyers executives]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Flyers players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Flyers scouts]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Penguins executives]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Brandon, Manitoba]]
[[Category:Stanley Cup champions]]
[[Category:Quebec Nordiques players]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Vezina Trophy winners]]