Between the Pipes: Marty Turco’s Game-Changing Puck-Handling Skills and Legacy
If you followed the NHL throughout the 2000s, you will remember how Marty Turco helped changed the game. Aside from stopping a ton of pucks for the Dallas Stars, what made him truly memorable was how he played the game—not just in the crease, but with his highly effective puck-handling skills. Quick, smart, and fearless, Turco left a mark that goalies today still carry with them.
Thinking Ahead
Turco came into the NHL after a standout career at the University of Michigan. Drafted 124th overall in 1994, he slowly made his way up, earning the starting role for the Stars by the 2002–03 season. His numbers were excellent—top-tier save percentage and a low goals-against average—but watching him play, you realized it wasn’t just stats that set him apart.
Unlike most goalies at the time, Turco didn’t just block shots. He played the puck like a third defenseman. Dump the puck behind the net? He’d grab it, skate out, and make a sharp pass that could spark a breakaway. Fans loved it—and opposing teams hated it. There was a thrill in watching him confidently skate out of the crease, daring the other team to challenge him.
Cool Fact: Due to Turco’s highly effective puck-handling skills, he was named "the smartest goalie in the NHL" by Don Cherry.
Numbers and Presence
Over 543 NHL games, Turco earned 275 wins, 41 shutouts, a 2.36 goals-against average, and posted a .910 save percentage. Although these are solid numbers, they only tell part of Turco’s NHL story. Turco’s real value came from his presence in net: calm, collected, and consistent, night after night. Whether it was a playoff game or a regular-season battle, Marty Turco had a way of keeping his team in it.
A Legacy That Lasts
Even after stints with Chicago and Boston, it’s his time with the Dallas Stars that stick in fans’ minds. Turco didn’t just stop shots—he discovered ways to help expand what goalies could do in and around the crease. Watching him in his prime was a masterclass in reading the game, controlling the pace, and turning defensive moments into offensive chances.
Marty Turco might not always grab the flashiest headlines, but his intelligence, skill, and style left a lasting imprint on the game of hockey. For anyone who loves hockey, Turco’s career is a reminder that great goalies don’t just stop pucks—they help shape the game itself.