Early years/Boston Bruins Prior to entering the
junior hockey ranks, Raycroft grew up playing
minor hockey with the Quinte Red Devils AAA system in the Eastern Ontario AAA League of the
Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA). In
1997–98, he began a three-year career in the
Ontario Hockey League (OHL), playing for the
Kingston Frontenacs and
Sudbury Wolves. He also played junior for the
Wellington Dukes of the
Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJAHL). Raycroft was drafted 135th overall by the
Boston Bruins in the
1998 NHL entry draft. He made his NHL debut in
2000–01 with the Bruins, replacing
Byron Dafoe in a 5–1 victory over the
Philadelphia Flyers. However, as a late-game replacement, he was not given the decision. Raycroft recorded his first NHL win two days later on October 9 in a 4–2 win over the
Florida Panthers. He began playing for the Maple Leafs in the
2006–07 season and earned his first shutout and win as a Leaf in a 6-0 victory against the
Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2006. Despite this record, he finished 49th in GAA and 56th in save percentage as the Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs. Raycroft struggled at the start of the
2007–08 season and surrendered the starting position to
Vesa Toskala. The Leafs then placed him on waivers on June 24, 2008, and bought out the remainder of his contract on June 27.
Colorado Avalanche Several days after being bought out by the Maple Leafs, on July 1, he signed a one-year deal with the
Colorado Avalanche. Despite being brought in to back-up
Peter Budaj, Raycroft started the
2008–09 season strong, becoming only the second Avalanche goaltender to begin a season with a 9–1 record. In 31 games with the Avalanche, Raycroft posted a 12-16-0 record with a 3.14 GAA.
Vancouver Canucks On July 6, 2009, Raycroft signed a one-year contract with the
Vancouver Canucks. He earned the backup position behind
Roberto Luongo after competing with prospect
Cory Schneider during training camp. He recorded his first win with the Canucks in his first start on October 29 in a 2–1 shootout win against the
Los Angeles Kings after Luongo was sidelined with a fractured rib. Raycroft faced his former Avalanche teammates several days later on November 1 and recorded his first shutout as a Canuck in a 3–0 win. Raycroft won his 100th NHL career game on February 12, 2010, in a 4–3 win over the
Columbus Blue Jackets. .
Dallas Stars On July 1, 2010, Raycroft signed a two-year contract as a free agent with the
Dallas Stars. He compiled an 8–5 record with a 2.83 GAA in his first season in Dallas, backing-up Stars starter
Kari Lehtonen. On December 29, 2011, Raycroft was assigned to the
Texas Stars, the Dallas Stars' AHL affiliate.
Richard Bachman replaced Raycroft as backup to the Stars starter Lehtonen. He played in the minors for the remainder of his contract.
Europe On July 3, 2012, with little NHL interest and an impending
lockout on the horizon, Raycroft left his North American career to begin a new venture in Europe by signing to a one-year deal with Italian
Serie A club,
Milano Rossoblu. The Italian team has been in proposed talks to join the
Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). On July 15, 2013, it was announced Raycroft would join
IF Björklöven for the
2013–14 season. On April 9, 2014, Raycroft announced his retirement from professional hockey. He later joined the
Connecticut Huskies men's ice hockey as a volunteer assistant coach. Also serving as a director Stop It Goaltending for the Bridge Program.
Broadcasting Following his playing career, Raycroft became active in media, including stints with
ESPN and the
New England Sports Network where he covers college hockey and the
Boston Bruins respectively. Since 2021, Raycroft has hosted a Bruins podcast with fellow NESN employee
Billy Jaffe entitled
Morning Bru with Jaffe & Razor. During the
2024-25 season Raycroft alongside
Tuukka Rask and
Patrice Bergeron started
Unobstructed Views a Bruins themed alternate live telecast series which airs on the New England Sports Network. In 2025 Raycroft would win a
Regional Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Interview/Discussion. Raycroft also plays in Bruins alumni charity games and is involved with local youth hockey programs. == Personal life ==