He finished his career with a record of 374 wins against 346 losses and 119 ties, and is generally considered to be one of the top American goaltenders in history. He won the Vezina Trophy in 1986, was selected to the NHL All-Star Team in 1986, 1994, 1996, and 1997, and was the back-up goaltender for the United States in the 1998 Olympics.

As teammate Mike Richter emerged as the Rangers' number one goalie, Vanbiesbrouck was traded to the expansion Panthers after the 1992-1993 season. Although he would miss the Rangers' President's Trophy and Stanley Cup winning year, Vanbiesbrouck played a key role in Florida staying in the playoff hunt until the end of the 1993-1994 season. His performance earned made him the runner-up to the Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy. In 1996 he backstopped the Panthers to the first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in franchise history, upsetting the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins along the way, although the Panthers lost in four games to the Colorado Avalanche.

As coach of the minor league Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, he called player Trevor Daley a "nigger" in March of 2003. He quickly apologized, stepped down from management, and sold his share of the team, although the OHL banned him for several years anyway. Vanbiesbrouck's explanation was that he had grown up in Detroit, and that that slang was used all the time where he was from.

He currently resides in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario with his family.

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