Whatever Happened to ex-Oilers Goalie Ben Scrivens?
If you were paying attention to the Edmonton Oilers back in 2014, you probably remember Ben Scrivens. That cold winter night in Edmonton, he stopped 59 shots in a 3–0 win over San Jose. Fifty-nine saves in one game. Still the NHL regular-season record for saves in a shutout. It was one of those nights where you watch and think, how is this guy still standing? Every shot came at him, and he just kept stopping them. For fans in the building — and anyone watching later — it was unforgettable.
Scrivens’ Story Started Just West of Edmonton.
Scrivens’ story didn’t start in the NHL, though. He’s from Spruce Grove, Alberta, and played his junior hockey in the AJHL before heading to Cornell University. Cornell, being an Ivy League school, shows Scrivens is as smart off the ice as he is calm on it. College hockey is where he really developed his style: calm, smart, reliable. Not flashy, but steady. Those qualities carried him through the minors, the American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL, and eventually to the big leagues.
In the NHL, he bounced around a bit, moving from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Los Angeles Kings, to Edmonton, and finally as a Montreal Canadiens goalie. Mostly a backup, but sometimes thrust into the spotlight. And when he got that chance, he made it count. That 59-save night is the obvious headline, but there were other moments. A late-game save that keeps the team in it, stepping in mid-game and stealing a win — those are the nights teammates remember, even if the stat sheet doesn’t. That’s the life of a journeyman goalie: flashes of brilliance mixed with long stretches on the bench.
After His NHL Career, Scrivens Moved Overseas and Played in the KHL.
After his time in the NHL, Scrivens took his game overseas. He spent a few seasons in the KHL with Minsk and Ufa. Same player, same calm approach, just a different rink, a different country, a new challenge. He handled it all, proving that consistency and professionalism matter just as much as raw talent.
So, where is he now? When Ben Scrivens retired from the NHL, he earned a Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Denver. He then started helping other retired players figure out what to do next through his work at the alumni association.
Not on an NHL roster, but that doesn’t erase what he did. Some players are defined by long careers or big contracts, others by a handful of unforgettable moments. Scrivens fits in the latter category. He gave us that insane 59-save game, steady performances in relief, and a reputation as a guy you could trust between the pipes.
Where Is Ben Scrivens Now?
Whatever happened to Ben Scrivens? He played the game the right way, left a mark wherever he went, and gave fans a memory that’s still hard to forget. And for those who watched him that night in Edmonton — or caught his highlights later — that’s enough to keep him in the conversation, long after the final whistle.
Right now, Scrivens is based back in Edmonton, where he is currently the On-Ice and Mental Health Coach at Vimy Ridge Academy School.