Editing Andrew Raycroft (section)

==Playing career==

===Early years/Boston Bruins===
Prior to entering the [[junior ice hockey|junior hockey]] ranks, Raycroft grew up playing [[minor ice hockey|minor hockey]] with the Quinte Red Devils AAA system in the Eastern Ontario AAA League of the [[Ontario Minor Hockey Association]] (OMHA). In [[1997–98 OHL season|1997–98]], he began a three-year career in the [[Ontario Hockey League]] (OHL), playing for the [[Kingston Frontenacs]] and [[Sudbury Wolves]]. He also played junior for the [[Wellington Dukes]] of the [[Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League]] (OPJAHL).

Raycroft was drafted 135th overall by the [[Boston Bruins]] in the [[1998 NHL Entry Draft]]. He made his NHL debut in [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01]] with the Bruins, replacing [[Byron Dafoe]] in a 5–1 victory over the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]. However, as a late-game replacement, he was not given the decision.<ref name=hockeygoalies>{{cite web|title=Andrew Raycroft (2000-present)|url=http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/raycroft.html|access-date=2009-09-11|publisher=HockeyGoalies.org}}</ref> Raycroft recorded his first NHL win two days later on October 9 in a 4–2 win over the [[Florida Panthers]].<ref name=hockeygoalies/>  Raycroft played 11 games total for the Bruins in his first season, while playing the majority of his first three professional seasons with the team's minor league affiliate, the [[Providence Bruins]] of the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL).

After the Bruins renewed his contract on July 31, 2003,<ref name=hockeygoalies/>  Raycroft played his first full NHL season in [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]], compiling a 29–18–9 record with a 2.05 [[goals against average]] (GAA), .926 [[save percentage]] and three [[shutout#Ice hockey|shutout]]s.  He helped lead the Bruins to a second-place finish in the regular season in the [[Eastern Conference (NHL)|Eastern Conference]] ''en route'' to the [[2004 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. Not having played enough games to qualify as a rookie in his previous three NHL seasons, Raycroft was awarded the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] in 2004 as league rookie of the year.

Due to the [[2004–05 NHL lockout]], Raycroft signed with [[Djurgårdens IF Hockey|Djurgårdens IF]] of the Swedish [[Swedish Hockey League|Elitserien]] on November 6, 2004.<ref name=hockeygoalies/> However, he did not play any games for the team and signed with [[Tappara Tampere]] of the Finnish [[SM-liiga]] several months later on January 17, 2005.<ref name=hockeygoalies/> When NHL play resumed, he struggled with the Bruins in the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]], managing only eight wins while being a healthy scratch for the majority of the season. He was demoted to the Bruins' third-string position to starter [[Tim Thomas (ice hockey, born 1974)|Tim Thomas]] and rookie backup [[Hannu Toivonen]].

===Toronto Maple Leafs===
The following off-season, on June 24, 2006, Raycroft was traded to the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in exchange for the rights to Finnish goaltending prospect [[Tuukka Rask]].<ref name=hockeygoalies/> It was later revealed the Bruins intended to release him, which would have made him available to Toronto without any compensation at all.<ref name="Pogge_instead">{{cite news |author=Simmons, Steve |date=June 9, 2013 |title=Simmons: Bruins would have taken Pogge instead of Rask from Maple Leafs for Raycroft  |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/06/08/simmons-imagine-if-the-bruins-got-pogge-instead-of-rask |newspaper=The Toronto Star |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> He began playing for the Maple Leafs in the [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07 season]] and earned his first shutout and win as a Leaf in a 6-0 victory against the [[Ottawa Senators]] on October 5, 2006.<ref name=hockeygoalies/> On April 3, 2007, Raycroft tied the Leafs' franchise record for most wins by a goaltender in the regular season (37), previously held by [[Ed Belfour]] in [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]] (Raycroft played more games than Belfour and earned three shootout wins, which did not exist prior to the 2005–06 season).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://stats.globesports.com/nhl/playerstats.asp?id=2150 |title=Hockey |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |access-date=2007-07-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215838/http://stats.globesports.com/nhl/playerstats.asp?id=2150 |archive-date=2007-09-27 }}</ref> Despite this record, he finished 49th in GAA and 56th in save percentage as the Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Raycroft struggled at the start of the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]] and surrendered the starting position to [[Vesa Toskala]]. The Leafs then placed him on waivers on June 24, 2008,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241542&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl | title = Maple Leafs Place Wellwood, Raycroft on Waivers | publisher = [[The Sports Network|TSN]] | access-date = 2008-06-24 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080627111430/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241542&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl | archive-date = 2008-06-27 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
and bought out the remainder of his contract on June 27.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241817&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl | title = Leafs place Raycroft on Unconditional Waivers | publisher = [[The Sports Network|TSN]] | access-date = 2008-06-27 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090809185125/http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241817&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl | archive-date = 2009-08-09 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Colorado Avalanche===
Several days after being bought out by the Maple Leafs, on July 1, he signed a one-year deal with the [[Colorado Avalanche]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/Colorado+signs+former+Maple+Leafs+Darcy+Tucker+and+Andrew+Raycroft/NHL/Teams/WAS/ContentPosting.htm?isfa=1&newsitemid=149593062&feedname=CP-SPORTS-HOCKEY&show=1&number=8&showbyline=1&subtitle=&detect=0&abc=abc&date=0 |title=Colorado signs former Maple Leafs Darcy Tucker and Andrew Raycroft |publisher=sports.msn.ca |date=2008-07-01 |access-date=2009-04-20 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Despite being brought in to back-up [[Peter Budaj]], Raycroft started the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]] season strong, becoming only the second Avalanche goaltender to begin a season with a 9–1 record.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/11/avs-raycroft-aims-be-no-1/|title=Raycroft aims to be No.1 for the Avalanche | newspaper =[[Rocky Mountain News]] | date = 2009-01-11 | access-date = 2009-04-20}}</ref> In 31 games with the Avalanche, Raycroft posted a 12-16-0 record with a 3.14 GAA.

===Vancouver Canucks===
On July 6, 2009, Raycroft signed a one-year contract with the [[Vancouver Canucks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=433543&page=NewsPage&service=page |title=Canucks sign free agent goaltender Andrew Raycroft |publisher=[[Vancouver Canucks]] |date=2009-07-06 |access-date=2009-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708023109/http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=433543 |archive-date=2009-07-08 }}</ref> He earned the backup position behind [[Roberto Luongo]] after competing with prospect [[Cory Schneider]] during training camp.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canucks send Schneider, Grabner to AHL|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=292982|access-date=2009-10-30|date=2009-09-28|publisher=[[The Sports Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209054545/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=292982|archive-date=2009-12-09|url-status=dead}}</ref> He recorded his first win with the Canucks in his first start on October 29 in a 2–1 shootout win against the [[Los Angeles Kings]] after Luongo was sidelined with a fractured rib.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canucks riding Raycroft wave|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canucks-riding-raycroft-wave-1.820169|access-date=2009-10-30|date=2009-10-30|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091102013108/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/10/30/sp-canucks-preview.html| archive-date= 2 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Raycroft faced his former Avalanche teammates several days later on November 1 and recorded his first shutout as a Canuck in a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite web|title=Raycroft earns shutout as Canucks defeat Avalanche|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=296977|access-date=2009-11-01|date=2009-11-01|publisher=[[The Sports Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103101731/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=296977|archive-date=2009-11-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> Raycroft won his 100th NHL career game on February 12, 2010, in a 4–3 win over the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Andrew Raycroft - Notes|url=http://canucks.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8467453&view=notes|publisher=[[Vancouver Canucks]]|access-date=2010-03-18}}</ref>
[[Image:Andrew Raycroft's New Sparkle Mask.jpg|thumb|Raycroft debuts his new goalie mask against the [[Vancouver Canucks]].]]

===Dallas Stars===
On July 1, 2010, Raycroft signed a two-year contract as a free agent with the [[Dallas Stars]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2010/07/01/2057733/stars-agree-to-terms-with-burish.html|title=Stars agree to terms with Burish, Raycroft | publisher =KansasCity.com | date = 2010-07-01 | access-date = 2010-07-01}}</ref> He compiled an 8–5 record with a 2.83 GAA in his first season in Dallas, backing-up Stars starter [[Kari Lehtonen]].

On December 29, 2011, Raycroft was assigned to the [[Texas Stars]], the Dallas Stars' AHL affiliate. [[Richard Bachman (ice hockey)|Richard Bachman]] replaced Raycroft as backup to the Stars starter Lehtonen. He played in the minors for the remainder of his contract.

===Europe===
On July 3, 2012, with little NHL interest and an impending [[2012–13 NHL lockout|lockout]] on the horizon, Raycroft left his North American career to begin a new venture in Europe by signing to a one-year deal with Italian [[Serie A (ice hockey)|Serie A]] club, [[Hockey Milano Rossoblu|Milano Rossoblu]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.hockeymilano.it/main/?p=7272 | title = Andrew Raycroft, NHL talent in Milan! | publisher = [[Hockey Milano Rossoblu]] | date = 2012-07-03 | access-date = 2012-07-03 | language = it | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130627212639/http://www.hockeymilano.it/main/?p=7272 | archive-date = 2013-06-27 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The Italian team has been in proposed talks to join the [[Kontinental Hockey League]] (KHL).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/recap/7280.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=955&cHash=097cc663b7 |title=Milan's big league aspirations |access-date=2013-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113063203/http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/recap/7280.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=955&cHash=097cc663b7 |archive-date=2014-01-13 }}</ref>

On July 15, 2013, it was announced Raycroft would join [[IF Björklöven]] for the [[2013–14 HockeyAllsvenskan season|2013–14 season]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Raycroft klar för Björklöven |url=http://www.bjorkloven.com/2013/07/15/raycroft-klar-for-bjorkloven/ |publisher=bjorkloven.com |date=2013-07-15 |access-date=2013-07-15 |language=sv |trans-title=Raycroft ready for Björklöven |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908022611/http://www.bjorkloven.com/2013/07/15/raycroft-klar-for-bjorkloven/ |archive-date=2013-09-08 }}</ref>

On April 9, 2014, Raycroft announced his retirement from professional hockey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Raycroft tackar för sig |url=http://www.umeatidning.se/bloggar-sm/hockeyblogg/item/raycroft-tackar-for-sig |publisher=umeatidning.se |date=2014-04-09 |access-date=2014-04-09 |language=sv |trans-title=Raycroft bows out |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412022418/http://www.umeatidning.se/bloggar-sm/hockeyblogg/item/raycroft-tackar-for-sig |archive-date=2014-04-12 }}</ref> He later joined the [[Connecticut Huskies men's ice hockey]] as a volunteer assistant coach.<ref>[http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-huskies/hc-jacobs-column-0831-20140830-column.html#page=1]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Broadcasting===

Following his playing career, Raycroft became active in media, including stints with [[ESPN]] and the [[New England Sports Network]] where he covers college hockey and the [[Boston Bruins]] respectively. Since 2021, Raycroft has hosted a Bruins podcast with fellow NESN employee [[Billy Jaffe]] entitled ''Morning Bru with Jaffe & Razor.''