Born in Quebec, Blackburn moved to Canmore, Alberta as a teen and moved on to major junior hockey with the Western Hockey League\'s Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook, British Columbia. In 2001, he was named the Canadian Hockey League\'s Goaltender of the Year. Blackburn was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, 10th overall.\n', '

For most of 2001–02, Blackburn served as backup to longtime Rangers goalie, Mike Richter. He played 31 games for the Rangers, a large total for a backup goaltender. He was selected as the 2002 goaltender for the NHL All-Rookie Team. He posted a 3.28 goals-against average and .898 save percentage.\n', '

In a November 7 game, Richter went down with a concussion, and all goaltending responsibilities fell to Blackburn. He notched his only career shutout — a 1–0 overtime win over the Calgary Flames — in the first game of the season Richter missed. Blackburn dismissed concerns that the heavy workload would be too much for him by pointing out that he had endured a heavier workload in juniors. However, after 17 consecutive starts, Blackburn eventually burned out, playing less effectively and tiring. It was becoming clear that Richter\'s difficulties with post-concussion syndrome were unlikely to abate, and that more help was needed. "We had to make a deal," Glen Sather claimed. "I did not want to see Danny lose his confidence and struggle, or for our team to struggle."\n', '

Return to Dan Blackburn Autograph Profile