GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Former University of North Dakota All-America goaltender Ed Belfour, who won nearly 500 games during an 18-year National Hockey League career, has been named a 2011 inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame, becoming the first Fighting Sioux to be so enshrined.

Belfour parlayed a historic 1986-87 freshman season into a distinguished professional career that saw him become the third-winningest goalie in NHL history. Only Martin Brodeur (625 wins) and Patrick Roy (551) have won more games than Belfour, who won 484 from 1988 to 2007.

A native of Carman, Manitoba, Belfour won a UND-record 29 games (since broken) in 1986-87 and was named an NCAA All-American after leading the Fighting Sioux to the 1987 national championship. He was the backbone of the famed "Hrkac Circus" team that won a then-NCAA-record 40 games.

Following the season, Belfour signed a free agent contract with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks. After honing his craft in the minor leagues and with the Canadian national team, Belfour burst onto the NHL scene in 1990-91 with one of the most memorable seasons ever put forth by a rookie goalie. Belfour went 43-19-7 and claimed both the Vezina and Calder Trophies as the NHL's best goalie and rookie, respectively. He also became the first goalie in NHL history to be nominated for the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player.

In 1991-92, Belfour led the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 1972-73. In eight seasons with the Blackhawks, Belfour would win two Vezina Trophies, play in three all-star games and capture three William M. Jennings Trophies for allowing the league's fewest goals against.

After a trade to San Jose late in the 1996-97 season, Belfour signed with the Dallas Stars in July of 1997. In his first season with the Stars, Belfour posted an microscopic 1.88 goals against average and led Dallas to the best record in the NHL. Belfour and the Stars again put together the NHL's best record in 1998-99 and capped the year with a Stanley Cup championship.

Belfour's illustrious playing career, which also included stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, and a stint in the Swedish Elite League, came to an end following the 2007-08 season.

A six-time all-star game participant, Belfour ranks third in NHL history in wins (484), fourth in games played (963) and saves (24,750), and ninth in shutouts (76). He finished his career with a 2.50 goals against average and a .906 save percentage.

Belfour also excelled on the international stage, winning a Canada Cup in 1991 and an Olympic gold medal in 2002 for Canada.

Belfour will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, Nov. 14, in Toronto.

NHL Honors
Stanley Cup champion (1999)
Vezina Trophy (1991, 1993)
Calder Memorial Trophy (1991)
William M. Jennings Trophy ('91, '93, '95, '99)
First All-Star Team (1992, 1993)
Second All-Star Team (1995)
All-Rookie Team (1991)
All-Star Game ('92, '93, '96, '98, '99, '03)

- Go Sioux -