John Muse Bio
John Roger Muse (born August 1, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender and a current goaltending coach with the China National Hockey Team. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and catching with his left hand, Muse built a reputation as a steady, championship-tested netminder across more than a decade of play in North America, Europe, and Asia. Over the course of his career, he competed in the American Hockey League (AHL), the ECHL, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), and leagues in Denmark and the United Kingdom before announcing his retirement in December 2024.
Early Life and Background
John Roger Muse was born on August 1, 1988, in East Falmouth, Massachusetts, and grew up in nearby Falmouth. He attended Noble and Greenough School, a prep school in Dedham, Massachusetts, where he played high school hockey under head coach Brian Day. Muse was a key contributor for the Nobles program, leading the team to Independent School League titles in both 2004-05 and 2005-06.
As a senior, Muse put together a decorated individual season, posting a 2.38 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage, and eight shutouts on his way to All-New England recognition. Those numbers helped establish him as one of the top high school goaltending prospects in the New England region and opened the door to a college career at a top NCAA program.
Path to Hockey
Following his prep career, Muse joined the Boston College Eagles of NCAA Division I Hockey East, where he became a four-year starter and one of the most decorated goaltenders in program history. He was a central figure in two national championship runs, helping the Eagles capture NCAA Division I National Championships in 2007-08 and 2009-10. In the 2010 title game against the Wisconsin Badgers, Muse recorded a 5-0 shutout, becoming only the fourth goaltender in NCAA history to post a shutout in the national championship game.
Muse also backstopped Boston College to a Hockey East regular-season championship in 2010, as well as Beanpot Tournament and Hockey East tournament titles in 2008, 2010, and 2011. He completed his collegiate career with an overall record of 89-39-16, including 12 shutouts, and signed his first professional deal shortly after the 2010-11 season.
John Muse Career
Early Career (2011-2013)
After finishing at Boston College, Muse signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL’s Portland Pirates, where he won his only start. On July 18, 2011, he signed a two-way AHL contract with the Charlotte Checkers and attended 2011 training camp with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes before being returned to the AHL. He split his first full pro season between Charlotte and the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, where he shared the net with Pat Nagle.
Muse played a major role in Florida’s first Kelly Cup championship, helping the Everblades reach the Kelly Cup Final for the third time. He posted a shutout win over Kalamazoo (7-0, 32 saves) and helped preserve a 5-0 win over Elmira before leaving that game with a lower-body injury. He was awarded Kelly Cup MVP following Florida’s Game 5 victory. On June 7, 2012, he signed his first NHL contract with Carolina, but the NHL lockout sent him back to the Checkers and Everblades for a second straight split year.
ECHL and AHL Journeyman Years (2013-2018)
With limited NHL opportunities, Muse signed as a free agent with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL on August 6, 2013, but was soon recalled to Charlotte on a professional tryout. In his first two starts back with the Checkers, he recorded back-to-back 5-0 shutouts, and by December he had posted a 9-6-0 record with a 2.29 GAA and a .922 save percentage. The Checkers extended his deal through the end of the 2013-14 season.
On August 4, 2015, Muse signed a one-year AHL deal with the Texas Stars, appearing in 19 games as a backup during 2015-16. He was traded back to Charlotte on February 29, 2016, took over the starting role for 18 of the final 21 games, and was named AHL Player of the Week on March 14, 2016, the third such honor of his career. He then signed a one-year AHL contract with the Rochester Americans on July 21, 2016, appearing in 14 games before being assigned to the Elmira Jackals for six games. As a free agent, he joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on July 6, 2017, and earned a one-year, two-way NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on February 26, 2018.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2018-2019)
On July 1, 2018, Muse signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking his second consecutive NHL contract. During the 2018-19 season, he split the year between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, continuing to provide veteran depth at the goaltending position.
Overseas and Return to North America (2019-2024)
After his time in the Penguins organization, Muse took his career overseas, joining Kunlun Red Star of the KHL and spending time with KRS-BSU in Russia. He also played for Rødovre Mighty Bulls in Denmark’s Metal Ligaen. In March 2021, he signed with the Sheffield Steelers of the UK’s EIHL for the 2021 Elite Series, then rejoined Rødovre for the 2021-22 season before returning to the UK in October 2022 with the Glasgow Clan.
On December 19, 2023, Muse signed an ECHL contract with the Worcester Railers for the 2023-24 season. He made an immediate impact, stopping all 28 shots in a shutout win over the Reading Royals on December 29, 2023, and earning first-star honors. He was named ECHL Goaltender of the Week for December 27-31 after going 2-0-0 with one shutout, a 0.50 GAA, and a .984 save percentage, the third weekly award of his career. He returned to Worcester for 2024-25 and split time with Michael Bullion, starting 10 games before announcing his retirement on December 28, 2024, following a 5-3 win over Reading. In 40 total games with the Railers, he averaged a 2.80 GAA and a .909 save percentage. He received a recall to the Bridgeport Islanders in 2024-25 but did not dress for a game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Muse’s career were his back-to-back NCAA national championships with Boston College, his 5-0 shutout in the 2010 NCAA title game, his Kelly Cup MVP award with the Florida Everblades, multiple AHL Player of the Week honors, and his multiple ECHL Goaltender of the Week recognitions, including a third such honor with the Worcester Railers in late 2023.
John Muse Family
Personal Life
Muse was born and raised in East Falmouth, Massachusetts. Public details about his immediate family, marital status, and personal life are limited in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Muse announced his retirement from professional play on December 28, 2024, following a 5-3 win over the Reading Royals at the DCU Center, ending a playing career that spanned from 2011 to 2024. In his final partial season with the Worcester Railers, he posted a 2.80 GAA and a .909 save percentage across 40 games, splitting the net with Michael Bullion. He also received a recall to the Bridgeport Islanders in 2024-25 but did not appear in any AHL games during that stretch.
Following his retirement, Muse transitioned into a coaching role, serving as a goaltending coach with the China National Hockey Team. His extensive experience across the AHL, ECHL, KHL, and top European leagues positions him well to develop goaltenders at the international level.
Looking ahead through 2025, Muse’s focus is expected to remain on his work with the Chinese national program, where he can pass along lessons from more than a decade of professional hockey to the next generation of goaltenders.