Cesare Maniago

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Cesare (Hail Cesare) Maniago (Born January 13, 1939 in Trail, British Columbia) was a National Hockey League goaltender, most notably for the Minnesota North Stars, for whom he remains the all-time leader in games played in goal.

Originally the property of the Toronto Maple Leafs, for whom he played seven games in the 1961 season, Maniago underwent a lengthy apprenticeship in the minor leagues, punctuated only by a relief stint of ailing Jacques Plante for the Montreal Canadiens in 1963. By 1966, his rights owned now by the New York Rangers and Plante -- then the Rangers' goaltender -- having abruptly retired, he was paired with Ed Giacomin as New York sought a replacement. Giacomin firmly winning the job the following season, Maniago played in just six games.

With expansion arriving the next season, Maniago had his big chance. He was drafted by the new Minnesota North Stars, immediately becoming their number one goaltender, a job he kept for the next nine seasons. Playing effectively in tandem with veteran Hall of Famer Gump Worsley, Maniago's play led the North Stars into the playoffs five of their first six seasons. His best year was his first, in 1968, where he had career highs in wins and shutouts while leading underdog Minnesota into the semi-finals.

By the mid-1970s, Maniago's play was slipping, and he was traded in 1976 to his hometown Vancouver Canucks, for whom he played his two final seasons. After retirement, he served several seasons as the Canucks' goaltender coach.

Maniago remains the all-time leader in games played in net for the Minnesota/Dallas franchise, and is third in wins and shutouts to Ed Belfour and Marty Turco.