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Goaltender trade officially completed between the Blackhawks and Penguins on this day in history

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Julien Trekker
August 10, 2025 (12:37)

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A trade completed by the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins involving a goaltender was completed exactly 20 years ago today.

The 2025-26 season will be exciting for Chicago Blackhawks fans. Not only because of the young player slowly developing as true NHLers, but also because of all the celebrations surrounding the team.

Fans have a few evenings to look forward to this season because of these ceremonies, giving them an opportunity to revisit the franchise's rich history.

On that note, let's take a look back at a trade that went down exactly 20 years ago involving a renowned goaltender between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

20 Years Ago Today: Blackhawks Trade Veteran Goalie Jocelyn Thibeault To Pittsburgh Penguins Ahead Of Historic Season

The 2005-06 season marked the return of players from the 2004 lockout, but also Sidney Crosby and Marc-André Fleury's rookie seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

These two players went on to win three Stanley Cups together in Pittsburgh, and the 2005-26 season will always be remembered as their first one in the league.

A few weeks before the start of training camp, the Penguins acquired Jocelyn Thibault from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2006 fourth-round pick, which was used to draft defenseman Ben Shutron, who never played in the NHL.

Thibault, drafted 10th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1993, played 586 games in the NHL for Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Buffalo Sabres between 1993 and 2008.

He was traded to Pittsburgh after six years with the Blackhawks. He only managed to lead the team to the playoffs once, in 2002, but couldn't get past the first round.

He retired after two more years with the Penguins and another season in Buffalo.

Stay tuned for more stories about the Blackhawks' rich history.

Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider

Chicago Blackhawks acquire goal-scoring forward in completed trade with the Winnipeg Jets today in history

11-year NHL veteran of 500 games remains desperate to find new home on the free agent market

Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard faces harsh criticism from NHL analyst

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AOUT 10 \| 364 ANSWERS Goaltender trade officially completed between the Blackhawks and Penguins on this day in history Do you think Jocelyn Thibault should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame?
Yes	90	24.7 %
No	274	75.3 %
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Goaltender trade officially completed between the Blackhawks and Penguins on this day in history

A trade completed by the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins involving a goaltender was completed exactly 20 years ago today.

20 Years Ago Today: Blackhawks Trade Veteran Goalie Jocelyn Thibeault To Pittsburgh Penguins Ahead Of Historic Season

Do you think Jocelyn Thibault should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame?