Robbie Irons

Robert Richard Irons (born November 19, 1946) is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender. His lone National Hockey League appearance came with the St. Louis Blues during the 1968–69 season, while the majority of his career, spanning from 1967 to 1981, was spent playing in the International Hockey League.

Playing career Born in Toronto, Ontario, Irons made a single NHL appearance with the St. Louis Blues during the 1968–69 season, playing just 2 minutes and 59 seconds in a game on November 13, 1968. He was pressed into action when starting goalie Glenn Hall was ejected and Jacques Plante was not yet ready to enter, covering the net until Plante could step in.

Irons once held, alongside Christian Soucy, the NHL record for the fewest career minutes played by a goaltender. That mark was broken on December 31, 2016, when Jorge Alves appeared for just 7.6 seconds in his lone NHL game.

Irons spent 11 seasons competing in the IHL as the goaltender for the Fort Wayne Komets. Throughout his tenure with the team, he established himself as one of the franchise's most reliable and celebrated players, earning six selections to the IHL All-Star team. In honour of his achievements and lasting influence on the organization, the Komets retired his jersey number 30.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV% 1964–65 Etobicoke Indians MetJBHL — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1965–66 Etobicoke Indians MetJBHL — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1966–67 Kitchener Rangers OHA 33 — — — 1940 95 3 2.94 — 13 — — 780 49 0 3.77 — 1967–68 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 43 — — — 2398 134 1 3.35 — 5 1 3 262 19 0 4.35 — 1968–69 St. Louis Blues NHL 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0.00 1.000 — — — — — — — — 1968–69 Kansas City Blues CHL 24 — — — 1309 83 0 3.80 — — — — — — — — — 1969–70 Kansas City Blues CHL 30 10 16 4 1800 104 2 3.47 — — — — — — — — — 1970–71 Kansas City Blues CHL 6 — — — 360 23 0 3.83 — — — — — — — — — 1970–71 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 31 — — — 1811 80 1 2.25 — 4 0 4 240 22 0 5.50 — 1971–72 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 21 — — — 1251 83 1 4.00 — — — — — — — — — 1972–73 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 46 — — — 2737 132 2 2.89 — 1 1 0 60 0 1 0.00 — 1973–74 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 47 — — — 2701 148 2 3.29 — — — — — — — — — 1974–75 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 46 — — — 2713 146 2 3.27 — — — — — — — — — 1975–76 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 63 — — — 3321 199 1 3.60 — 9 5 4 530 39 0 5.44 — 1976–77 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 41 — — — 2248 141 1 3.70 — — — — — — — — — 1977–78 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 39 — — — 2152 129 0 3.60 — 7 — — 319 20 0 3.76 — 1978–79 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 54 — — — 2490 193 1 3.90 — 13 7 6 780 56 0 4.29 — 1979–80 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 41 — — — 2188 147 1 4.03 — 14 — — 806 44 1 3.28 — 1980–81 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 51 — — — 2719 168 0 3.71 — 11 — — 633 47 0 4.45 — NHL totals 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0.00 1.000 — — — — — — — —