MLD, AAA & AA 2013 BIOs

[tony d]

Alexander Bodunov

Date Of Birth: June 3 1951
Hometown: Moscow, Russia

Stats on Bodunov:

-16 pts. in 16 World Championship Games
-206 Goals in 378 Career Soviet League Games

1972 Summit Series. Com:

Bodunov was an inconsistent player. On one night he could be the best player on the ice, but the next he would be nowhere to be found. He had a great arsenal of hockey talent, featuring his heavy shot and creative playmaking, but his defensive play left much to be desired.

Alexander Bodunov was one of the members of the Soviet's "Kid Line," also known as the "Headache Line." Bodunov was the left winger who was introduced along with fellow linemates Viacheslav Anisin and Yuri Lebedev in game three of the series.

I look for Bodunov to add goal scoring to my top 6, glad to have him.

 

[tony d]

Tim Young, Centre

Position: C ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-1 ▪ Weight: 190 lbs.
Born: February 22, 1955 (Age 58) in Scarborough, Ontario
Draft: Los Angeles, 1st round (16th overall), 1975 NHL Amateur

Some stats on Young:

-536 points in 628 Career Games
-31 points in 36 Career playoff games
-8 30 Assist Seasons
-1 Top 10 Finish in Points
-1 Top 10 Finish in short handed goals

Legends of Hockey:

After a successful junior career with the Ottawa 67's, Young made the jump to the NHL, appearing in 63 games with the North Stars in 1975-76. By his second NHL season Young was able to post career highs for goals, assists, and points. He also made an appearance in the 1977 NHL All-Star Game.

On January 15, 1979, Young scored five goals against the New York Rangers during an 8-1 Minnesota romp at MSG. He was traded by the North Stars to the Winnipeg Jets in 1983 and was on the move again the following year, this time to Philadelphia, the last stop in his ten-year NHL career.

Joe Pelletier:

Tim Young was an offensive wizard, particularly because of his playmaking ability. He was a swift skater and deft puck handler as well as a an accurate shooter, but playmaking was his forte. He was an excellent specialty teams player as he was a good penalty killer and was also often used on the point of the North Stars power play.

Young will be counted on for playmaking on the 2nd line but he also reads as solid in other areas of the game, glad to have him on the team.

 

[tony d]

Right Winger Brian Gionta

Position: RW ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 5-7 ▪ Weight: 175 lbs.
Born: January 18, 1979 (Age 34) in Rochester, New York
Draft: New Jersey, 3rd round (82nd overall), 1998 NHL Entry

Some stats on Gionta:

-454 points in 715 career games
-61 points in 95 playoff games
-3 Seasons of 10 or more power play goals

Legends Of Hockey

Gionta made his professional hockey debut in 2001-02, splitting his season with the Devils and their AHL affiliate in Albany. Despite a lack of size, Gionta became a regular with the New Jersey Devils in 2002-03 and played a key role in the team's successful quest of the Stanley Cup, contributing 9 playoff points.

After just one full season with Montreal, Gionta was named the team's captain, becoming the 28th captain in franchise history and just the second American-born player to earn the honour.

Glad to have Gionta on the team, he may be small in stature but he's still a great asset to have on the team, glad to have him.

 

[tony d]

Left Winger Bob Kelly

Position: LW ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 5-10 ▪ Weight: 200 lbs.
Born: November 25, 1950 (Age 62) in Oakville, Ontario
Draft: Philadelphia, 3rd round (32nd overall), 1970 NHL Amateur

Stats on Kelly:

-362 points in 837 career games
-23 points in 101 playoff games
-2 Top 10 finishes in penalty minutes
-1454 career penalty minutes
-2 Time Stanley Cup champ

Legends of Hockey:

Born November 25, 1950 in Oakville, Ontario, Bob 'Houndog' Kelly became an integral piece in the Philadelphia Flyers' Stanley Cup championships of 1974 and 1975. Kelly played his junior with the Oshawa Generals, establishing himself as an aggressive winger with good hands. He was drafted by the Flyers in the 1970 Amateur Draft, and joined the NHL club that fall. As part of the Broad Street Bullies, Kelly was an added fear factor beside players like Dave Schultz, Andre Dupont, undrafted, Bobby Clarke and Gary Dornhoefer - all guys who could scrap as well as score. Kelly and the Flyers bulldozed their way to consecutive Stanley Cup celebrations in '74 and '75, the first two chamionships in the history of the Philadelphia Flyer franchise. Kelly played ten seasons in orange and black, but was traded to the Washington Capitals for a draft choice during the summer of 1980. Houndog actually recorded his finest offensive season in Washington, scoring 26 goals, 36 assists and 62 points for a Capitals team that also boasted the firepower of Dennis Maruk and Mike Gartner. But the 1981-82 season was not as positive, and Kelly played just 16 games, registering 4 points.

Joe Pelletier:

Kelly went on to become a top player of the Flyers in the 1970s, including their two Stanley Cup championship teams in 1974 and 1975.

Nobody appreciated Kelly more than coach Fred Shero.

"He's got something that's hard to buy. No coach in the world can make a guy do what Kelly does. It's not in his contract, it comes from within him."

What he did best was run around recklessly, hitting every enemy in sight. He was also a noted fighter.

"He always gets in three or four punches before the other guy realizes he's in a fight," said Bobby Clarke. "He throws punches faster than anybody in the league."

Kelly was not much of a scorer. Only once in 10 seasons with the Flyers did he reach 20 goals. But he wasn't there to score goals. "If Bob Kelly scores twenty goals, I'm not using him properly," said Shero.

Kelly was the Flyers spark plug, as well as a pest and tough guy. Whenever coach Shero felt the game need a change of pace or needed his bench fired up, he would tap Kelly's shoulder and his fury would be unleashed on the subsequent shift.

Glad to have Kelly on the team, his tough as nails game will help the Knights team, he should be a great fit on the checking line.

 

[tony d]

Peter Zezel

Position: C ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 5-11 ▪ Weight: 220 lbs.
Born: April 22, 1965 in Toronto, Ontario
Draft: Philadelphia, 2nd round (41st overall), 1983 NHL Entry

Some stats on Zezel:

-608 points in 873 career games
-64 points in 131 career playoff games
-3 70 point seasons
-1 Top 10 Finish in Game Winning Goals
-3 40 Assist Seasons

Legends of Hockey:

In his first NHL season, he established a Flyers rookie record of 46 assists while helping the team to a berth in the Stanley Cup finals. He was quickly regarded as one of the league's premier faceoff men and used his tenacious style to earn himself duty on the penalty-killing unit.

Zezel played a vital role in the resurgence of the Maple Leafs in the early 1990's as a checking centre and faceoff specialist, but he also added his share of timely goals using the soft hands and hard shot developed in his junior days.

Joe Pelletier:

Peter Zezel carved out a nice career as solid two way second or third line center.

Though somewhat on the small side, Zezel was extremely strong, especially his lower body. He was great along the boards as he was so hard to knock down. He was also an agile skater with great balance, and his background as a soccer player (he played with the Toronto Blizzard of the NASL and the North York Rockets of the CSL) gave him an extra advantage over most hockey players - great puck skills with his feet. In the corners and in faceoff scrums, Zezel would go in and use his strength and balance to tie up his opponent, and then kick the puck to an open teammate.

Though known best as a defensive oriented checking center, Zezel had some good offensive talents. He had a strong and accurate wrist shot and slap shot, but preferred to set up an open teammate than shoot the puck himself. He was very confident with the puck. His offensive totals were hindered by his commitment as the team's checking center, but twice Peter scored 72 points. In 1986-87 with Philadelphia when he finished behind Tim Kerr for the team goal and point scoring lead. In 1988-89 and in 1989-90 Peter enjoyed his longest run as an offensive player, often centering Brett Hull in St. Louis.

An excellent faceoff man, Zezel was a crunch time player. Some questioned his inconsistent intensity, but he became a favorite of Mike Keenan, the most demanding coach of the day. Keenan inherited a young Zezel in Philadelphia and later recruited his services in St. Louis and Vancouver.

Glad to have Zezel on board, the guy seems like a good checking line centre who will also do well offensively, glad to have him.

 

[tony d]

Right Winger Martin Lapointe

Position: RW ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 5-11 ▪ Weight: 215 lbs.
Born: September 12, 1973 (Age 40) in Ville St-Pierre, Quebec
Draft: Detroit, 1st round (10th overall), 1991 NHL Entry

Stats on Lapointe:

-381 pts. in 991 career games
-43 points in 108 career playoff games
-1 Top 10 finish in game winning goals

Legends of Hockey:

Lapointe's commitment to checking and battling in the corners put him in coach Scotty Bowman's good graces. His style of play was an integral part of the team's consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 1997 and 1998. He even turned on the offense in the repeat season with nine post-season goals.

In the spring of 2000, Lapointe represented his homeland at the World Championships and by the 2000-01 season, he was needed on offense for the Wings as the club reconfigured its line up. He scored a personal-high 20 goals and helped Detroit finish with the second-highest regular season point total in the league.

After eleven seasons in Detroit, Lapointe decided to test the free agent market and signed with the Boston Bruins in the summer of 2001. Upon his arrival in Boston, Lapointe has continued his gritty play, despite missing several games due to injury. In 2003-04, Lapointe played in his 700th career game and surpassed the 300-point plateau before being acquired by the Chicago Blackhawks in the summer of 2005.

As a member of the Blackhawks, Lapoint suited up for every game over his first two years and was named an alternative captain with the club in 2005-06. In 2007-08, he appeared in 52 games with the Blackhawks before the veteran was dealt at the NHL trading deadline to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a draft pick.

Another tough, gritty player Lapointe completes my gritty checking line.

 

[seventieslord]

Brian Sutter, Coach

- Jack Adams Trophy (1991)
- Also placed top-5 in Voting three other times (2nd-1993, 2nd-2002, 5th-1990)
- Only coach to get Chicago into the playoffs from 1998-2008 (2002)
- Career record of 451-417-160 (.517) for teams that were .494 before his arrival and .466 after his departure*
- In St. Louis: .484 before Sutter, .545 with Sutter, .524 after Sutter*
- In Boston: .575 before Sutter, .609 with Sutter, .463 after Sutter*
- In Calgary: .463 before Sutter, .439 with Sutter, .463 after Sutter*
- In Chicago: .454 before Sutter, .476 with Sutter, .415 after Sutter*
- *Used two seasons before and after Sutter’s tenure with each team
- 28-40 in the playoffs (.412)

While Suhonen was laid-back, Sutter is an "old-school" coach more inclined to challenge players than Suhonen was. Sources say that Hawks owner Bill Wirtz likes Sutter's no-nonsense approach and that he wasn't a fan of Suhonen's mild-mannered demeanor and European coaching philosophy last season.

Brian Sutter accepted a tough assignment Thursday: make the Chicago Blackhawks a contending hockey team again and do it with a style that puts fans back in the seats. "It's a sports city where the fans want to see an honest effort for an honest dollar," Sutter said Thursday after taking a three-year contract to become Chicago's sixth coach since 1995. "You want them to buy a beer and enjoy it and not throw it down on the floor."

Sagging attendance and unhappy fans are byproducts for the Blackhawks after missing the playoffs four straight years. "Last year they didn't like the style of play," owner Bill Wirtz said.

Coach Alpo Suhonen was forced out by a heart condition in March, seven games short of finishing his first season. His style was finesse and sometimes his locker room was complacent. "It didn't work," the Blackhawks' Tony Amonte said. "Guys had a little too much freedom. You didn't get rewarded when you played better and didn't get demoted or spanked when you didn't do well." Amonte said that will all change with Sutter, whose brother, Darryl, coached the Blackhawks from 1992-95. "No more country club," Amonte said.

Sutter fit general manager Mike Smith's criteria. He doesn't scream to get his point across but he does command attention. "I'm not a hollering guy," said Sutter, starting his fourth NHL coaching job. "I'm a no-nonsense guy and I don't ride fences. I make a decision after I talk to a lot of people. I'm going to ask a lot of myself. I can't be afraid to do the wrong thing."

Sutter's leadership stood out. Smith also interviewed Bryan Murray, Terry Murray and Denis Savard.

Nice little snippet that illustrates just how unexpected Sutter’s success with the Hawks was:

Coach Brian Sutter, an exacting man who took over the job last spring, has both a pessimistic side and a gift for hyperbole, traits that led him to arrive at training camp last month and declare, "There is nothing that has gone on here that is acceptable."

Sutter wasn't referring to his team's history, which was quite acceptable as recently as the 1996-97 season. Since then, however, the mismanaged Hawks have failed to reach the playoffs and have had eight coaches. Nothing has worked. Two years ago, under blustery coach Lorne Molleken, the goon-heavy Blackhawks beat the tar out of everyone, amassed the second-highest penalty-minute total in the NHL and lost 39 games. Last year, under soft-tempered Alpo Suhonen, the Hawks treated opponents too gently, allowed a conference-high 246 goals and lost 40 games. Says general manager Mike Smith of Suhonen's brief reign, "We were an easy team to play against."

That also means "not hard to beat," a description the Blackhawks will fit again. While Sutter has reintroduced a hard-hitting style ("Recess is over," says right wing Tony Amonte), Chicago did little to improve in the off-season. Only a nifty collection of skilled forwards that includes Amonte (34 goals last year) and right wing Steve Sullivan (34) provides any reason for optimism.

Brian Sutter was not Blackhawks G.M. Mike Smith's first choice when he went out looking for a new coach last May. Former Panthers G.M. Bryan Murray was. But Sutter put team execs into a trance. In an interview that lasted eight hours, Sutter presented Smith and team officials with more than 200 pages of insights on the Blackhawks' depth chart, their strengths and their weaknesses.

Sutter and Smith also discussed the types of coaching systems Sutter believes in. In particular, Smith wondered if Sutter, after sometimes-contentious coaching stints in St. Louis, Boston and Calgary, would be open to teaching a style that emphasized both finesse and physical play. Sutter's answers were a surprise.

"Sometimes you think you know who the perfect coach will be for your team--and you're wrong," Smith says. "In this situation, it was like a light going on over all of our heads at how right Brian was for us."

Sutter is known for a demanding, disciplined style of play. Though that style has rankled some of his players, it also enabled him to compile a record of 360-319-103-5 in his first 10 seasons as an NHL coach. He led his teams to the postseason seven times, but he didn't make the playoffs in any of his last three seasons with the Flames.

"I think you can put that non-playoff streak to rest," Canadiens center Doug Gilmour says. "Brian has that whole team eating, sleeping and drinking Sutter hockey."

It's been 10 years since Brian Sutter was fired as coach of the St. Louis Blues, and to him it seems like yesterday. Sutter's jersey hangs from the rafters of the Savvis Center and there's a larger-than-life-size poster highlighting his accomplishments on the concourse. There's still a soft spot in his heart, a man that was a Blue through and through and still hasn't quite gotten over the divorce.

He got emotional discussing his 16 years with the organization on Friday, a day before his Chicago Blackhawks played the Blues in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series. "I was with a lot of great people, and it's a great tradition here," Sutter said. "Whoo, it's absolutely incredible."

But Sutter, now the Blackhawks coach, still smarts from his dismissal in 1992. He said he's changed in his three coaching stops since then, by necessity. "I changed the day they made changes here when I was coaching," Sutter said. "I learned from that situation that I wasn't in control of everything, and I learned to enjoy myself a lot more. I felt total onus and obligation to the city of St. Louis to do the best job I could because I knew what the franchise had gone through for a number of years."

Sutter guided the Blackhawks to 96 points this season -- a 25-point improvement -- and their first playoff berth in five years. He did it by transforming a European-style team into one that reflects his hard-nosed, hard-charging style. Before the playoffs, he downplayed this homecoming. But now he admits he'd love nothing better than to beat the Blues in the first-round series. "Let's put it this way: if one of my brothers were standing in front of the bus last night and we were about to leave and he was on the other team, I'd have run over him," Sutter said. "I wouldn't have called out first to ask him to get out of the way, either. That's my mentality, that's the way it is. I don't really care."

On the other hand, he believes the St. Louis experience taught him to roll with the punches better. "Believe me, I laugh a lot more and I enjoy life a lot more," Sutter said. "I learned that you couldn't be totally in charge of everything, even though you cared so much, you cared too much."

Sutter played with the Blues from 1976-88, and then immediately moved to the coaching office. He remains proud of his accomplishments as coach, including a 105-point season and second overall finish in the NHL in 1990-91. "There wasn't a player in history that's done that," Sutter said. "It was something totally out of the blue. Going from playing to coach, when I look back it, was tough. But you know what, we built one hell of a team here. We went from one of the worst to one of the best."

He prefers to remember the good days. "Did I learn anything from being here?" Sutter said. "Hey, you don't dwell on the negatives. Never, ever, and never ever is a long time."

Don't let the NHL pedigree fool you, Brian Sutter is a working-class coach. His blue-collar mentality is a product of the renowned Sutter work ethic, a trademark of all six NHL-playing brothers. It also applies to the lifestyle choice of the eldest Sutter, who -- after nearly 30 years as an NHL player and coach -- has found fulfillment dividing his time between his cattle ranch near Sylvan Lake and coaching his brother Brent's WHL team in Red Deer.

"It's rather interesting how things turn out," muses Sutter, 50, who leads the Rebels into the Brandt Centre tonight against the Regina Pats. "All those years I played and coached, hockey was a game to me and that's all it was. Farming was my life. Guys in the National Hockey League that I've turned down in the last year or two, they can't understand why I'm doing this, but I have the best of both worlds. I can get off the tractor or horse and be in the office in 15 minutes. "There's not too many people in life who can say they have a job they really enjoy. I've always had two."

Sutter played 12 seasons in the NHL, all with the St. Louis Blues, before jumping into the coaching ranks with his former club. He served behind the bench for more than 1,000 games in four cities -- St. Louis, Boston, Calgary and Chicago -- before stepping back from the game three years ago. "If I want to coach in the National Hockey League I can coach in the National Hockey League," he says matter of factly. "It's not something I've said 'no' to but I'd have to go to a place to be with good people and to make a difference." Sutter has found all those things in Red Deer -- and he didn't have to leave home to do it. The opportunity came up this summer when Brent agreed to become the head coach of the New Jersey Devils and asked his big brother to step behind the Rebels' bench in his place.

Although Sutter has never coached in the junior ranks, he's not going to change his approach to the game. "Hockey has to be played hard and have some fun and raise a little hell while you're doing it," he explains. "It has never ever changed for me, whether you're playing junior or the (NHL). I was in the National Hockey League from the time I was 19 and I never thought any moment was anything out of this world. I just thought I was pretty lucky to be able to do it and I never took one day for granted."

A similar philosophy helped Brent Sutter go from one of the most-respected players in the NHL to one of the most-respected coaches in junior hockey. His departure was considered a huge blow to the Rebels' franchise -- until they replaced a Sutter with a Sutter. "I'm not going to compare myself to Brent," insists Brian, who believes work ethic and discipline should be the basic fundamentals of every coaching philosophy. "Are we different? Yeah. We are in some senses because our players are different. Every good coach doesn't coach the game the way he absolutely thinks it should be played. It's like training a horse. You have to work with him and you have to work with his strengths and understand what he's not capable of doing."

Sutter's blue-collar mentality often translates into some unique analogies. It might seem unusual for a coach with his credentials to relate hockey principles to herding cows, driving a tractor or baling hay, but Sutter goes by what he knows. "I've run around the race track frontwards, backwards, every way you want to run it," he says with a chuckle. "Been there, saw it, done it. I've had to fight the other team's tough guy every night but I also knew we weren't going to win if I didn't shut down the Guy Lafleurs and the Mike Bossys. I also knew were weren't gonna win if I wasn't involved in the offence. Guess what? None of those are any more important than the other. My point is, I tightened my skates up the way every player in the dressing room has tightened them up, so I understand how they feel. I'll never forget that feeling and I respect it."

Sutter's passion for the game is evident when you consider his most-recent coaching gig -- with the Bentley Generals senior team. He guided the collection of farmers, truck drivers and oil-rig hands to the Allan Cup national finals. "It's coaching and having fun and making people better," he says. "I enjoy doing it. I always have and I always will." Asked about his new team, Sutter jokes that most of the players haven't learned to shave yet. That's a nice way of saying patience will be a key as he guides the youngest team in the WHL through a 72-game schedule. "But that doesn't mean I'm not expecting a lot," he cautions. "I coached young teams in the National Hockey League and I know every one of them were teams that everybody hated to play against.

“The man most responsible for my development as an NHL player.”

“His will to win is second to none.”

My back didn’t hurt as much as my spirit when Brian Sutter was fired after the enxd of 1991-92. What you see as Brett Hull is what Brian Sutter made him to be. I wasn’t much of a player until Brian Sutter taught me that the definition of a winner is someone who succeeds beyond expectations, who delivers when no one else thinks he or she can. One of my shortcomints as a player was not accepting the limitations of all players. I arrived with the attitude that every player should be able to shoot, skate, stickhandle, and make certain plays at certain times. “You have to be yourself,” Brian always told me. “But you have to understand that the other 20 guys on the team are all different with different skill levels. You have to always be able to adjust your game to their game. That’s what being a good player is all about. You have to be patient. Sutter always believed I should be able to play with any center and any winger… I played frequently with Ron Sutter or Ron Wilson. I played on every line except the 4th line. Tough guy Kelly Chase was even on my line a few times…”

…Before Brian was fired, I said it would be a mistake to get rid of him… not long after that he was gone. Zezel. Stevens. Oates. Sutter. Every person I felt I needed kept getting shipped out…. After a 22-point dip in the standings, management needed to blame someone and they chose Brian. He was unjustly carved by the media. A case in point was the acquisition of his brothers, Rich and Ron. The media ripped him for that. It was written repeatedly that other Blues resented having the coach’s brothers on the team. That was absurd: You couldn’t have asked for two greater team players than the Sutters. There were 21 other teams who would have gladly found room for them in their lineup. Another inaccurate portrayal was of the blues as a divided team. After it was written once, reporters from every city would ask if there was dissension on the blues. I kept telling them it was ridiculous, but it wouldn’t die…. On the Blues, even the players who didn’t play regularly still had the utmost respect for Brian Sutter. Just as he had as a player, Brian put all of his energy and heart into coaching… apparently, other teams believed Brian was doing an excellent job, because one month after he was fired, he was offered jobs by Hartford and Ottawa. The Kings and Bruins also wanted to talk to him.

Brian Sutter always prodded me to be a better leader… he always expected more from me. He didn’t even give me an A until after Adam was dealt away. He gave it to me when he thought I deserved it. No beef from me, because Brian Sutter was the main reason why I led the NHL in goal scoring…

Brian Sutter does smile. But you probably won’t see it until the night we win the Stanley Cup… you have to really work to get a laugh out of the man we call Sudsy… we are nothing alike; he’s one of the most intense hockey people I’ve ever met… but our relationship couldn’t be better. He understands that my carefree attitude doesb’t translate into a lack of desire on the ice. And it may not be his way, but he appreciates that I play best when I’m having fun. When he was hired, he told me he wasn’t interested in changing my style. He knows I can’t be a Bob Gainey clone… All he asks is to “improve each day as a player and a person”. How can you argue with a coach who has that kind of philosophy?

…our relationship was strengthened by a meeting after the 1988-89 season. After scoring 41 goals and 43 assists in 78 games, I was full of confidence as I walked into a meeting with Sudsy and Berry. He made some general comments, then looked at me with his most serious look. “I don’t want to insult you, but if you thought you were a good player last season, I hope you will think again.” Whoa! Hold on here. Didn’t I just score 41 goals? There are guys who play 10 seasons and don’t score 41 goals. Sutter was an excellent player, and he only did it twice. Why don’t you criticize players who aren’t producing? Eventually, his theme hit home. This wasn’t Terry Crisp, asking me to change my personality and revamp my game. This was a coach who let me play the way I wanted to play. I thought, “why don’t I just shut up and listen to what he has to say?”… :you can come back and score 41 goals again. Or you can take the next step up and score 65, and ne a dominant NHL player. You can play a lot better than you are.” He told me I had the same kind of goal-scoring knack as Mike Bossy. “I never ask anyone to give 100% because nobody knows what 100% is. I just want my players to give me more than they gave yesterday. And tomorrow, I’ll want more than y ou gave me today.” We talked about my role and how I needed to me more of a leader. That summer, I went home and worked out with more dedication than ever before...

Sudsy doesn’t bother me about my weight; he has the assistant coaches do it… we know if anyone can take us to the Cup, it’s this guy. He wants to win it so badly, it pains him… there was criticism of the Blues for choosing a player to coach. Now I can’t even imagine the Blues without Sutter behind the bench. The playes feel fortunate to have him… Defensively, he has changed me. “Defense is an attitude, not an ability,” he tells me regularly. I’ve started to believe that… Brian has mellowed ever so slightly, but I’m not going to be the one to tell him that. Brian has such great desire to win that sometimes he just boils over.
…One time, Brian was so mad at us that he wanted to take on the whole team. “You guys think you’re so tough. Why don’t I take five of you guys into the next room. We’ll turn off the lights. We’ll see who walks out of the room.” After Sudsy stalked off, Craig Coxe, one of our tough guys, said, “No way would I ever go into a room with him.”

 

[seventieslord]

Jacques Laperriere, Assistant Coach

- Stanley Cup as assistant (1986, 1993)
- Stanley Cup Finalist as assistant (1989)
- Teams’ defense corps averaged 5.6% fewer SOG than league average
- Teams’ PK units averaged 4.5% better PK efficiency than league average

After retiring as a player, Laperriere took on the position of coach of the Montreal Junior Canadiens prior to the 1975-76 season. Partway through the following year he resigned, as the pressure and violence at the amateur level caused him to sour on his new profession. In 1980-81, he returned to the Habs as a part-time assistant to head coach Claude Ruel. The following year he began a 16-year tenure as an assistant coach with the club. He served under six different head coaches, including Stanley Cup wins with Jean Perron in 1986 and Jacques Demers in 1993.

Under Pat Burns from 1988 to 1992, Laperriere kept the Habs' defense corps near the top of the NHL. Prior to the 1997-98 season, Laperriere was reunited with his old boss in Boston, where he continued to function as one of the top assistant coaches in the game.

Jacques followed Montreal coach Pat Burns to the Bruins in 1997. "Boston was a very good experience," he admitted. "I knew nothing else but the Montreal system. For me to go to another team was a really, really good experience." Jacques later spent two years as an assistant coach with the Islanders, then joined the New Jersey Devils in 2003. "I really enjoy teaching hockey," smiles Jacques. "I have a passion for that. It's rewarding to work with players and see them do well. I can say I helped him to achieve that. I did a good thing."

The Islanders have had several fine assistant coaches just in this decade. Jacques Laperriere, known as a master teacher of defensemen

now he's a Bruin, charged with imparting the same defensive philosophies that brought the Habs eight Stanley Cups during his stints as star defenseman and influential assistant coach.

"Jacques Laperriere brings a wealth of hockey knowledge and experience, as well as respect to our organization," said general manager Lou Lamoriello.

He served under six head coaches… under Pat Burns from 1988-1992, Laperriere kept the Habs’ defense corps near the top of the NHL. Burns noted: “I was hired in 1988, and since then we’ve replaced some top defensemen – Larry Robinson, Rick Green, Craig Ludwig and Chris Chelios. And we’re leading the league by a wide margin. That says it all, right?” Prior to the 1997-98 season, Laperriere was reunited with his old boss in Boston, where he continued to function as one of the top assistant coaches in the game.

For some 16 years his was a constant presence, and despite the often spotty quality of those Montreal teams, they were frequently among the best defensively in the league, thanks to Laperriere’s experience and knowledge.

In 1981-82, Laperrière rejoined the Canadiens, this time as an assistant coach. He spent 16 years behind the Habs bench, serving under six different head coaches while developing many of the youngsters who followed in his footsteps. His name was engraved twice more on the Stanley Cup following the Canadiens’ 1986 and 1993 championship seasons.

Standing in a doorway leading out to the ice at the Montreal Forum, his leg encased in a massive hip-to-ankle knee brace, the 21-year-old listened and learned as Jacques Laperriere, the Hall-Of-Fame defenseman and now-assistant coach, strove to teach the relatively new crop of Canadiens defensemen all he knows.

“He is an unbelievable teacher,” says Wilkie, who bases much of his assessment on the simple fact that Canadiens defensemen can be found all over the NHL. “It may sound like common sense, but Jacques knows how to harness your strengths and teach you how to play in your own end.”

…Laperriere never forgot the lessons he learned in the days of the Original Six, and in 1983 he joined the Canadiens coaching staff as an assistant. Since then, there have been five head coaches of the Canadiens, and all have seen fit to keep Laperriere as their unassuming deputy.

… It must be said, however, that his role as deputy is very much self-styled. Laperriere would certainly have entered the head coaching ranks long ago were it not for his intense dislike of dealing with the media. For while he is delighted to share the wisdom of his experience with his defensive charges, he is loathe to put himself in the public spotlight. And that’s a philosophy one can see in his teaching: if you don’t notice the defensemen at work, they’re probably doing a good, Laperriere-like job.

At any rate, Montreal’s confidence in Laperriere and the consistency he has provided have paid off. Thanks to Laperriere, the team has an unparalleled record in developing young defensemen. Over the past 10 years, the Canadiens have produced more than a dozen top-notch defensemen, many of whom have gone onto be stars on other teams. Some of the notables include Chris Chelios, Craig Ludwig, Tom Kurvers, Sylvain Lefebvre, Petr Svoboda, Mathieu Schneider, Eric Desjardins, Kevin Haller, Mike Lalor, Jyrki Lumme, and Donald Dufresne.

The young Wilkie says he hopes to be in the Canadiens organization for many years to come, but no matter what happens in Montreal, he knows his best chance of having a long career in the NHL is to listen to “Dr. Defense.” Laperriere has made a science out of the art of playing defense, and he spends countless hours per week in the Canadiens video room studying the traits of his own defense, and opposition forwards. His theory: if he can keep one more shot from being fired on the net, that is one less chance for the other team to win the game.

“He makes the game very easy to play,” says Jean-Jacques Daigneault, who has been one of Laperriere’s regulars for the past six years. “It is really a matter of knowing your own limits and playing within them all of the time.”

Daigneault, an offensive star at the Junior hockey level and a first-round draft pick (10th overall) of the Vancouver Canucks in 1984, landed with the Canadiens in 1988 after disappointing stints in Vancouver and Philadelphia. Daigneault’s offensive output was too low for him to be considered an offensive threat, but his defense was inadequate to keep him in the NHL. Physically similar to Daigneault, in that they were both undersized defensemen, Laperriere harnessed Daigneault’s exceptional skating ability and taught him the intricacies of defending his own end of the ice.

…“The trend in the league is toward big and strong defensemen,” says the 5’10”, 185-pound Daigneault, “but a guy my size can still be effective if I play my position well. Jacques knows how to teach that.”

“Jacques takes the view that defensemen are like quarterbacks in football: sometimes you have to make the pass; if there’s no pass available, then you have to run with it; and if that is not possible, you just have to get rid of the ball and make sure you don’t make a mistake.”

“Lappy doesn’t talk much about what you do once you are across center,” says Daigneault, who denies that Laperriere’s style can stifle offensive-minded defensemen. “The only rule is that good defense should never be sacrificed for the sake of an offensive chance.”

While goaltender Patrick Roy has had much to do with the Canadiens’ success over the past 10 years—during which he has posted an amazing 2.72 goals-against average in 529 games—much of the overall team stinginess relates to Laperriere’s ability to craft three solid defensive pairings for every game—usually with one or more capable defensemen in reserve.

The Canadiens current blueline crop, while relatively new to Montreal, boasts a veteran corps which, after some time under Laperriere’s tutelage, is expected to come together as one of the league’s stronger units.

…“Lappy had a great affect on me,” admits Haller, who now mans the Flyers blueline after a four-year stint with the Canadiens. “When I came here (to Montreal, via a trade from Buffalo), I really hadn’t learned much about playing defense in the NHL. Lappy taught me a solid, no-nonsense approach to defense and taught me how to play with confidence in my own end.

“He is really helpful during games,” Haller continues. “He studies the other teams so much and will give you pointers on the bench that, because he does it right at that time, make total sense. If he waited to tell you the next day at practice, I don’t know if you would remember the circumstances the same way with the same detail.”

For Haller, Laperriere’s strength lies in his professorial approach. “He never yells or gets upset during games. If you make a mistake, he knows it and will talk with you about it when you come off the ice. It’s nice to know that you are not going to come off the ice and be screamed at.”

Desjardins, Haller’s teammate on both Montreal and Philadelphia, is another former Canadiens defenseman who learned the art of defense from the master.

“He took defense very seriously,” says Desjardins, who, like all of the others, admits that being coached by a Canadiens Hall-Of-Famer is an intimidating prospect—at least at first. In 1988, when Desjardins arrived with the Canadiens, speaking only French, he sat under Laperriere’s picture and only a few feet from Larry Robinson, who was still a team leader at the time. “When you see (Laperriere’s) picture (on the wall of the Canadiens dressing room, along with the Canadiens 39 other Hall of Fame players), it immediately gives him respect and credibility. He never asks for it; he has earned it already, both as a great player and a great coach.

“Montreal is a great place to learn to play defense,” Desjardins says. “There is a lot of pressure here not to make big mistakes. The fans know it, and so do the coaches. Jacques did an excellent job of explaining defense to all of us. He would stay after practice and work with me for as long as I wanted. We would work on 1-on-1’s, 2-on-2’s; always studying the right approach to every situation in your zone.”

“You have to learn quickly in Montreal, but the faster you learn the more he will teach you,” says Desjardins, who admits he still hears Laperriere’s lessons in his head as he plays in Philadelphia. While some have said that Desjardins is enjoying a newfound offensive freedom with the Flyers, Desjardins disagrees. “For certain, I have more chances to join the offense, but that is only because we have a better offensive team that makes more chances. (Fundamentally) I still play the same way I was taught to in Montreal.”

Daigneault eventually found a spot with the Canadiens, thanks to the tutoring of assistant coach Jacques Laperriere.
"I was a small, puck-mover, offensive defenseman who early in his career was probably too creative," Daigneault said. "I'd take the puck up ice, spin around, deke past guys …Then I went to Montreal and Jacques Laperriere, a Hall of Famer, taught me to play within my limitations. He said I don't have to be so creative all the time,"
That's a lesson he carried the rest of his career…

Laperriere’s effect on team defense

Although Laperriere was typically on successful teams, it wouldn’t be right to attempt to judge him solely on their overall success. This included goaltending and offensive play, both of which he had nothing to do with. However, he was a master trainer of defensemen and his work does show up in how effective his teams have been at shot prevention and penalty killing:

year | team | LgAvgSPG | SAPG | %AboveAvg | LgPKAvg | PKAvg | %AboveAvg
1982 | MTL | 31.06 | 27.63 | 11.0 | 77.15 | 80.07 | 12.8
1983 | MTL | 30.46 | 28.94 | 5.0 | 77.08 | 73.85 | -14.1
1984 | MTL | 30.60 | 25.69 | 16.0 | 78.09 | 79.71 | 7.4
1985 | MTL | 30.50 | 24.6 | 19.3 | 77.80 | 79.57 | 8.0
1986 | MTL | 31.04 | 27.06 | 12.8 | 77.92 | 79.15 | 5.6
1987 | MTL | 30.00 | 27.11 | 9.6 | 79.02 | 83.22 | 20.0
1988 | MTL | 30.44 | 28.78 | 5.5 | 79.71 | 83.80 | 20.2
1989 | MTL | 30.38 | 26.54 | 12.6 | 79.01 | 82.21 | 15.2
1990 | MTL | 30.26 | 28.75 | 5.0 | 79.23 | 80.68 | 7.0
1991 | MTL | 29.75 | 28.9 | 2.9 | 80.56 | 80.85 | 1.5
1992 | MTL | 30.43 | 27.75 | 8.8 | 80.76 | 81.25 | 2.5
1993 | MTL | 30.92 | 29.94 | 3.2 | 80.43 | 81.97 | 7.9
1994 | MTL | 30.23 | 27.76 | 8.2 | 81.36 | 82.56 | 6.4
1995 | MTL | 29.26 | 31.85 | -8.9 | 82.27 | 80.63 | -9.2
1996 | MTL | 30.18 | 32.32 | -7.1 | 82.07 | 82.20 | 0.7
1997 | MTL | 29.72 | 28.5 | 4.1 | 83.73 | 79.54 | -25.8
1998 | BOS | 27.26 | 26.26 | 3.7 | 84.92 | 84.56 | -2.4
1999 | BOS | 27.80 | 27.09 | 2.6 | 84.19 | 89.18 | 31.6
2000 | BOS | 27.90 | 27.65 | 0.9 | 83.85 | 79.48 | -27.1
2001 | BOS | 27.62 | 26.62 | 3.6 | 83.36 | 82.76 | -3.6
2002 | NYI | 27.50 | 27.76 | -0.9 | 84.23 | 85.79 | 9.9
2003 | NYI | 28.29 | 28.11 | 0.6 | 83.57 | 83.46 | -0.7
2004 | NJD | 27.98 | 24.35 | 13.0 | 83.54 | 85.34 | 10.9
2006 | NJD | 29.91 | 29.27 | 2.1 | 82.32 | 81.95 | -2.1
2007 | NJD | 29.50 | 28.37 | 3.8 | 82.42 | 85.24 | 16.0
Career | 4Tm | 29.56 | 27.9 | 5.6 | 81.14 | 81.96 | 4.5

 

[Rob Scuderi]

Jochen Hecht, LW/C

- The 6th -highest scorer of all-time available with 441 points heading into this season.
- The 2nd -highest ES scorer of all-time available with 333 ES points heading into the season
- Has the 6 th -highest adjusted ESP per season average among available players, with 46
- He is the only player who has maintained an average of 40+ ESP/season over more than 750 games (i.e. all the others with similar per-game averages have not been able to maintain it like he has)
- He is known as a very solid two-way player and has an excellent PK resume, killing 29% of penalties in his career at a rate 10% better than the league average.
- He can play both LW and C

Based on all this, you probably still don’t know who I am talking about, because he has so quietly gone about his solid business for nearly 800 games since 1999. I am talking about Jochen Hecht. Hecht’s excellent ES scoring resume will make my 3rd line particularly dangerous, without taking a hit on the defensive side. Hecht will have a major role on our PK as well.

Hecht has been an excellent NHL player for over a decade now, on both sides of the puck. With 444 points in 772 games, he was a solid producer throughout the dead puck era as well as a great defensive forward, though not to the level that would earn significant Selke recognition. Both his adjusted ESPPG (5th, 0.56) and his total adjusted PPG (0.75, 13th) are among the best among available players, so he's not just some run-of-the-mill two-way forward. He's been very well respected in the NHL for ages.

His career adjusted +/- is an excellent +94. His usefulness is demonstrated by his career average of 17.52 minutes per game.

Hecht has 32 points in 59 NHL playoff games, 6 points in 20 best-on-best international games as a German underdog, and 15 points in 38 World Championship games.

a rangy forward who can handle all three forward positions... He is a good skater with a good passing touch, more of a playmaker than a scorer. He plays with a straight-up stance that allows him to see everything. He stickhandles in close, and has a great move walking out from the corner or behind the net... A very smart player with deceptive speed... he is a tough read for opposing defensemen because he doesn't do the same thing every time... Hecht plays with drive. He doesn't quit. He's never going to be the big star on a team but he's going to be a big part of a team. Hecht is a guy who will show up to play every night. he can kill penalties and adds depth... physical play doesn't bother Hecht, but he doesn't initiate it... He has to get stronger and learn to play in the dirty areas of the ice... He doesn't mind sticking his nose in...a well-conditioned athlete... an underrated forward.

provided a solid two-way presence in the top-six... smart, well-rounded forward who can excel in different roles... solid complementary player, does all the little things well... a stable skater with deceptive acceleration and top speed... protects the puck well and is a good passer... misses that mean physical edge needed to exploit his excellent strength and ability to create space along the boards.

A consistent second line scorer... Buffalo felt Hecht's injury in the playoffs as their PK tanked... has only one season where he recorded a minus, despite often playing for middling teams.

Assets: Displayed excellent instincts at both ends of the ice. Could line up at both center and wing. Was good on face-offs and when killing penalties. Had good hand/eye coordination.

Flaws: Didn't display enough offensive consistency. Was somewhat fragile and injury-prone, and could have used even more bulk to help with the rigors of the National Hockey League schedule.

Career Potential: Fragile but versatile two-way forward

Anyone in the dressing room will tell you Jochen Hecht is the best two-way player on the team.

Jochen Hecht is among the most underrated players in the league, the best two-way player on the team.

The left wing was regarded as the Sabres' best two-way player last season, and after a slow start he's close to regaining that title.

Hecht's specialty is puck control. He's 6-1, 191, and he knows how to keep a defender away from the puck or force an opponent off it. His ability to maintain possession along the boards allows Briere and Dumont to take chances, by breaking out of their zone early or going to the net before a defender anticipates it.

"We know that if he's got possession of the puck, we know we can try to cheat offensively," Dumont said. "We know that he's not going to lose the puck."

The 28-year-old is also versatile, taking faceoffs on the left side, where his left-handed shot has an advantage over Briere's right-handed stance.

After 3 1/2 seasons as Daniel Briere's left winger, Hecht has shifted spots, moving to center for the Buffalo Sabres. The change has given him control over puck possession, and Hecht is making the right decisions, especially lately. His line has combined for seven goals and 13 assists in the past six games, and the Sabres are 5-0-1. They host Boston tonight in HSBC Arena.

Hecht has always been a master at puck control. Briere and J.P. Dumont used to cheat on breakouts because they knew their winger wouldn't lose the puck. It's knowledge that right wing Jason Pominville gained after Dumont departed.

"As we all know, he's a good left winger," Pominville said. "He's slowly becoming a good center. He's patient with the puck. He makes some good plays. He's good down low. He's one of the guys that has to be the first guy back in our own zone, even though sometimes as a left winger he'd still be the first guy back."

Attention to defense didn't change with the position switch. Hecht remains a top two-way forward, killing penalties and registering a plus-5 in the past six games. He's also helping on the power play, skating with the unit that's scored two of the past four goals.
Though Hecht moved to the middle mainly because of Connolly's injuries, it's hardly a new position. The St. Louis Blues drafted Hecht as a center in the second round in 1995, and he's occasionally played there in Buffalo since arriving in 2002.

"I think every year when we've got a center going down I'm jumping in there," he said. "I got drafted as a centerman, and I'm OK with the responsibility and the different part of the game.

Hecht's goals for this year are to continue his strong two-way play from the best bounce-back season of his career.

After a disappointing 2008-09 campaign, Hecht played 79 games last year, his most in seven seasons as a Sabre. He was a major reason Buffalo finished second in the NHL in penalty killing.

"Jochen may not be the most physical guy on our team but last year he played like one of our biggest forwards," Pominville said. "He's just as good offensively as defensively, protects the puck well in the corners and he's a threat on the ice. It was a big loss for our team."

With the addition of Rob Niedermayer, Hecht should be able to stay in his preferred slot at left wing and stay away from center. But Hecht knows he could get the call there if an injury crops up.

"I just want to play my game, be consistent," Hecht said. "Be the best two-way player on the team. That's my goal. I felt confident going into last year too. It was a dip in my career but I know I can play on this level. I can play well, be a big part of this team and that's my goal again this year."

Hecht has always been a favorite of Ruff's for his responsible, two-way play. But he needed to produce to justify a spot on one of the top two lines. It hurt him to know people felt he was no longer worthy of being a top-six forward.

 

[Rob Scuderi]

Travis Zajac, C

Selke Trophy vote placements: 6, 7
Killed 23% of teams' penalties for units 11% above average

Assets: Owns an excellent frame with scoring ability, highlighted by a heavy shot. Possesses a defensive conscience, too. With soft hands, he's also excellent in the face-off dot. Plays with poise and makes his linemates better.

Flaws: Despite his impressive size, he's not an intimidating force and could stand to use his big frame more effectively. Lacks a bit of quickness. Is better suited to being a No. 2 pivot than a full-fledged first liner.

Career Potential: Excellent two-way center with a little upside.

Zajac, on his style of play in 2004: "I’m a big, physical forward who can beat guys one-on-one... Drive the puck to the net. I win the battles in the corners. Pretty offensively skilled, more of my game is offensive, but defensively I’m pretty sound. A pretty versatile player. Play in all situations."

Zajac is credited for being a versatile player, able to play on the power play and penalty kill equally well. Former coach Jacques Lemaire called him "the most complete player" on the team. When they were on the same line, Parise credited his offensive output to Zajac's defensive responsibility.

 

[tony d]

Left Winger Don Grosso

Position: LW/C ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 5-11 ▪ Weight: 170 lbs.
Born: April 12, 1915 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Some stats on Grosso:

-204 points in 336 career games
-29 points in 48 career playoff games
-Led 1942 playoffs in goals and points
-1 Top 10 finish for a season in goals, assists, and points
-2 Seasons of more than a point per game (Min.40 games)

Legends Of Hockey:

Don "The Count" Grosso played over 300 NHL games in the 30s and 40s. He was good scorer and checker who rarely found himself in the penalty box.

After missing the first part of the 1939-40 season to injury, Grosso was a solid role player in his rookie season. After another year spent as a checker, he burst out with 23 goals in 1941-42 while playing with Eddie Wares and Sid Abel. During the post-season he was brilliant with 14 points in 12 matches while helping the Wings reach the finals. That year they blew a 3 games to 0 lead to Toronto but rebounded the next season to sweep Boston in the championship round. Once again Grosso was a top performer with four goals and some determined checking.

Joe Pelletier:

The versatile left-winger's is best remembered skating alongside Sid Abel and Eddie Wares on Detroit's "Liniment Line." "It was called that because one of us was always hurt," Grosso explained. "That's because we got so much ice time on our regular shift, killing penalties and on the power play."

Grosso's best regular-season performance came in 1941-42, when he registered 23-30-53 totals to finish third in NHL scoring and establish a new Detroit single-season record for points.

Known as a money player who could always be "counted" on in big games, Grosso saved some of his best hockey for the playoffs. During the 1942 post-season, Grosso tallied a Stanley Cup-record 14 points, eight of them coming in Detroit's seven-game loss to Toronto in the finals.

His hat-trick in Game 3 of the 1943 finals at Boston paved the way for Detroit's 4-0 series win. It was the only time Grosso would win the Stanley Cup.

Grosso reads, to me, as a solid role player. He'll be perfect on the Knights in a 4th line role.

 

[tony d]

Centre Stephane Yelle

Position: C ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 6-2 ▪ Weight: 182 lbs.
Born: May 9, 1974 (Age 39) in Ottawa, Ontario
Draft: New Jersey, 8th round (186th overall), 1992 NHL Entry

Some stats on Yelle:

-265 points in 991 career games
-32 points in 71 playoff games
-2 time Stanley Cup champ with Colroado

Legends Of Hockey:

With the Avalanche, Yelle continued to improve on his checking and penalty killing skills. Strong on faceoffs and considered one of the premier defensive players in the league, injuries limited Yelle to 50 regular season games with Colorado in 2000-01, but he returned for the playoffs and contributed to the Avs' Stanley Cup victory at year's end. The Bourget, ON native played one more season in Colorado before being traded to the Calgary Flames prior to the 2002-03 season. Upon his arrival with the Flames, Yelle continued his strong play in his own end and was a key player in the team's drive to the 2004 Stanley Cup final.

Joe Pelletier:

Stephane Yelle was a very smart player who could read the oncoming attacks with great proficiency. As such, he became one of the NHL's most knowledgeable defensive forwards in the later 1990s and in the 2000s.

His hockey smarts were his greatest asset, because the sum of his skills were average at best. He was a good skater, but lacked the speed to be much of a threat. His hand skills made him a limited player offensively. Physically he was tall and rangy, not well built to battle against the league's biggest brutes.

Yet somehow Yelle was able to use his understanding of the game of hockey combined with his hard work to become a key role player and key penalty killer with the ritzy Colorado Avalanche. He helped the Avs win championships in 1996 and 2001, and helped the Calgary Flames reach the finals in 2004. He was a very popular player with the fans and his teammates, but most especially with the coaching staffs.

Glad to have Yelle, he's not going to score many points for the Knights but what he'll do is provide grit and skill to the 4th line, glad to have him.

 

[tony d]

Right Winger John Anderson

Position: RW ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 5-11 ▪ Weight: 185 lbs.
Born: March 28, 1957 (Age 56) in Toronto, Ontario
Draft: Toronto, 1st round (11th overall), 1977 NHL Amateur

Some stats on Anderson:

-631 points in 814 career games
-27 points in 37 career playoff games
-1 Top 10 Finish in Power Play Goals
-5 30 Goal Seasons, 3 40 Assist Seasons, 3 70 Point Seasons
-Tied with Kevin Dineen for Hartford Whalers playoff scoring lead in 1986 with 13 points

Legends Of Hockey

Drafted 11th overall by his dream team Leafs, he matured slowly. But by his third year he was a star of the new Kid Line featuring Laurie Boschman and undrafted, though the next year, 1980-81, he called them the Skid Line for their poor season. Later in his Leaf career he played with undrafted and Rick Vaive, again the team's top line, but after four consecutive 30-goal seasons he felt it was time to move on.

Joe Pelletier

Anderson played four years with his hometown Toronto Marlies of the OHL where he demonstrated great skill and goal scoring ability. After a final season in junior where he scored 57 goals and 199 points in 64 games, the Leafs grabbed Anderson with the 11th overall draft pick in the 1977 entry draft. Anderson was selected ahead of the likes of Ron Duguay, Mike Bossy, John Tonelli and Rod Langway.

While he may not have earned the status of those other draft picks, Anderson developed into one of the top left wingers in the game in 1980s. He had speed to burn, and the agility to go with it. He had great puck skills - able to softly lay a pass to a streaking teammate or power a slapshot from the top of the faceoff circle. He was a mainstay on the powerplay, and although he did not play aggressive defensive hockey, was a good penalty killer because of his skating abilities.

After an impressive year of apprenticeship in the minor leagues, John joined the Leafs full time in 1978-79. He had his ups and downs in his first three years in the league, but by 1981 he had found a home on the Leafs top line. Anderson's speed and puck skills were a perfect compliment for slippery center Bill Derlago and heavy shooter Rick Vaive.

Anderson is one of my favourite picks from this draft. He'll play as a right winger for the Knights but he has played left wing in the past so that can help the team a lot. He's playing on the 4th line but he can play quite well on any other line of the Knights.

 

[tony d]

Bret Hedican Defenseman

Position: D ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 6-2 ▪ Weight: 210 lbs.
Born: August 10, 1970 (Age 43) in St. Paul, Minnesota
Draft: St. Louis, 10th round (198th overall), 1988 NHL Entry

Stats on Heidcan:

-294 points in 1039 career games
-26 points in 108 career playoff games
-Tied for 2006 Stanley Cup champs playoff points lead among defensemen
-Member of the 1992 and 2006 US Olympic teams

Legends Of Hockey:

Hedican split the 1992-93 season between the Blues and the Peoria Rivermen of the IHL. From 1993-94 onward, it has been all NHL for Hedican, including two World Championship tournaments. He started the 1993-94 season in St. Louis, playing 61 games there before being traded to Vancouver in March 1994 as part of a multi-player deal. He had a steady job with the Canucks for the next four years, missing the occasional game due to injuries and consistently tallying double-digit point totals. His career best season was 1995-96, when he combines six goals and 23 assists for 29 points in 77 games.

Hedican remained with the Canucks until January 1999 when he was traded to the Florida Panthers in a deal involving players and draft choices. He had a 25-point season with the Panthers in 1999-00, the year in which he played his 500th NHL game.

After parts of four seasons with the Panthers, Hedican was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes where he was a key player in the team's run to the 2002 Stanley Cup Final before falling to the Detroit Red Wings.

Joe Pelletier:

Hedican did alright for himself. He had a NHL career spanning over 1000 games, scoring 55 goal and 294 points. Best known as a steady defensive defender with Vancouver and Carolina, he also played with St. Louis, Florida and Anaheim. He was no all star or Norris trophy threat, but he was a very solid, dependable defenseman for a lot of years. And while he did not win an Olympic medal in 2006, he did help Carolina win the Stanley Cup.

Hedican's the perfect defenseman for this level. He probably won't set the world on fire with his play but he'll give you a really good dependable game, glad to have him.

 

[tony d]

Defenseman Janne Ninimaa

Position: D ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 6-1 ▪ Weight: 220 lbs.
Born: May 22, 1975 (Age 38) in Raahe, Finland
Draft: Philadelphia, 2nd round (36th overall), 1993 NHL Entry

Some stats on Ninimaa:

-4 40 point seasons
-319 points in 741 career games
-150 career power play points
-24 points in 59 career games
-2001 All Star and 1997 All Rookie Team member

Legends Of Hockey:

Niinamaa made an impressive NHL debut in 1996-97 by scoring 44 points in the regular season followed by 13 points in 19 post-season games as the Flyers reached the Stanley Cup finals. His offensive flash and poise led to him being voted on to the league's All-Rookie Team. The next year he continued to play well and competed for Finland at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. Shortly after returning from Japan, Niinimaa was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for Dan McGillis.

The fast-skating approach of Edmonton and the wide-open style of the Western Conference suited the young Finn. Niinimaa became the quarterback of the team's power-play and logged the most ice time of any defenceman on the team. He scored 33 points in 1999-00 then improved to 46 points the next year which placed him third in team scoring.

Niinimaa continued his strong play in 2001-02 notching 44 points and was a member of Finland's 2002 Winter Olympic Team before he was dealt to the New York Islanders at the March trading deadline in 2003. Upon his arrival with the Islanders, Niinimaa continued to be an offensive force from the blueline, reaching the 300-point plateau in 2003-04 and representing his homeland for the fifth and sixth times at the World Championships in 2003 and 2004.

A good 2nd tier offensive defenseman I like Ninimaa to contribute many points from the blueline for my team.

 

[tony d]

Defenseman Bob Plager

Position: D ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 5-11 ▪ Weight: 195 lbs.
Born: March 11, 1943 (Age 70) in Kirkland Lake, Ontario

Some stats on Plager:

-146 points in 644 career games
-19 points in 74 playoff games
-802 career penalty minutes

Legends of Hockey:

After their days in the OHA, the battling brothers took different paths to the NHL. Bob Plager picked up a few games with the Rangers during the mid-sixties between frequent trips to the minors. But when the NHL doubled in size in 1967, the fledgling St. Louis Blues reunited the Plagers on their blueline. By then, Bob Plager was known as 200 pounds of humourous turbulence.

Over the eleven seasons that followed, he terrorized his opponents with hard hits and quick fists

Joe Pelletier:

"Bob has improved every year he has been in the league," said his former coach Scotty Bowman. "His ruggedness is often built up in the papers so much that his hockey ability is overlooked. Sometimes he may look a little awkwards, but he always gets the job done.

Glad to have gotten Plager, his hard hitting style of hockey should mean good things for the Knights and their defense.

 

[Hedberg]

C Hib Milks

5'11, 165 lbs
Shoots Left

10th (26-27; 27-28) in Goals

87 G, 41 A, 128 Pts in 317 NHL GP

Legends of Hockey

Forward Hubert "Hib" Milks was a reliable scorer with three different NHL clubs during the 1920s and '30s. He was also an accomplished junior and senior competitor.

Milks stayed in Pittsburgh when he made his NHL debut with the Pirates in 1925-26. He hit double figures in goals four out of five years and often played with Baldy Cotton and Harold Darragh. He remained with the franchise when it relocated to Philadelphia in 1930-31. During the Quakers' horrid 4-36-4 performance, Milks was its lone bright light, scoring 17 goals. He split his last two seasons between the New York Rangers, where he played in the 1932 Stanley Cup finals, and the Ottawa Senators.

Great Defencemen: Stars of Hockey's Golden Age

Pittsburgh also boasted a tough team... as well as the talented Hib Milks and Harold Darragh up front

New York Times, Dec 30, 1930

Hib Milks, who is not as weak as water, started the gentle debate when George

New York Times, Dec 21, 1928

Hib Milks, fast-skating Pirate

 

[tony d]

Defenseman Tom Kurvers

Position: D ▪ Shoots: Left
Height: 6-2 ▪ Weight: 195 lbs.
Born: September 14, 1962 (Age 51) in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Draft: Montreal, 7th round (145th overall), 1981 NHL Entry

Some stats on Kurvers:

-421 points in 659 career games
-30 points in 57 playoff games
-5 40 point seasons
-44 career power play goals
-Led All New Jersey Devils defensemen in scoring in the 1988 playoffs

Legends Of Hockey:

Tom Kurvers was a pure offensive defenceman with outstanding passing skills and a quick release from the point. In his eleven years in the NHL he was a considered a positive influence on the ice and in the dressing room.

Kurvers was never a defensive stalwart but he played to his strengths and, when paired with the right person, could be very effective. He finished with 421 points in 659 career games.

Kurvers may not be your classic #6 defenseman so I may move him to another pairing but 1 thing is for sure, he's a quality defenseman. I'm glad to have him.

 

[tony d]

Goalie Felix Potvin

Position: G ▪ Catches: Left
Height: 6-1 ▪ Weight: 190 lbs.
Born: June 23, 1971 (Age 42) in Anjou, Quebec
Draft: Toronto, 2nd round (31st overall), 1990 NHL Entry

Stats on Potvin:

-266 Career Wins
-3 30 Win Seasons
-2 Time All Star
-35 Playoff Wins
-42nd All Time in Career Wins

Legends Of Hockey:

In his early years with the Leafs, Potvin was a workhorse who, in his first big-league campaign, carried his club to the semi-finals where they eventually lost to Wayne Gretzky and his Los Angeles Kings. By the time he'd completed his six-year run with the Blue and White, Potvin had more games played and wins than all other Leafs stoppers except for Turk Broda and Johnny Bower. He set a club record, leading the league in games played with 74 during the 1996-97 season. During that campaign, he faced more shots than any goaltender in league history.

Joe Pelletier:

The Leafs were pleasantly surprised to see Potvin still available in the second round of the deep 1990 NHL entry draft. Ht Leafs grabbed him with 31st overall pick. After a year of learning English and successful of apprenticeship in the American Hockey League (he was named as the top rookie, top goalie and first team all star) Felix made the move to Toronto in 1992-93.

Potvin took the NHL by storm once he arrived. In his rookie season Potvin led the league in goals against average with a 2.50 mark, and backstopped the Leafs not only to their first true mark of respectability since the 1970s, but to playoff success. Potvin was brilliant as the Leafs went on a magical playoff run, only to fall short in a 7 game conference finals against Wayne Gretzky's Los Angeles Kings. Had the Leafs been successful, the Stanley Cup would have been a classic showdown - Leafs vs. Habs, Potvin vs. Roy.

Potvin followed up his rookie season with a 34 win season, tying Johnny Bower's team record for most wins in a year. He represented the Leafs in the All Star game and was even named player of the month in October. Potvin led the Leafs deep into the playoffs again, this time falling short against the Vancouver Canucks in the conference finals. Potvin was brilliant, perhaps no more so than in the opening round against Chicago. Potvin and Eddie Belfour had a classic goaltender grudge match. Potvin prevailed, including 3 nail biting 1-0 shutouts!

The Leafs fortunes sagged after that season. Potvin continued to be the workhorse goalie, including setting a Leafs record with 74 games appeared in 1996-97. That season Felix also set a league record with the most shots faced with 2662. Somehow Felix saved almost 91% percent of those shots! Yet increasingly it was the shots that eluded him that were beginning to bother people. He could stop 35 pucks in a game, but somehow would often let in a soft goal or a goal at exactly the wrong time.

Extremely pleased to have Potvin. He was a workhorse in net and I think he'll be a good add to the team.

 

[tony d]

Hal Winkler

Position: G
Height: 5-8 ▪ Weight: 150 lbs.
Born: March 20, 1892 in Gretna, Manitoba

Stats on Winkler:

-Led NHL in shutouts at age 35 in 1927-1928
-21 Career Shutouts are 96th all time in NHL history

Winkler was in the running for my #1 goalie spot, was glad to be able to pick him when it became time for me to select a #2. He should perform quite well in case Potvin goes down to injury.

 

[BubbaBoot]

Mathieu Dandenault
defense / right wing

• Shoots: right • Height: 6'0" • Weight: 208 lbs. •
• Born: February 3, 1976 • Sherbrooke, Quebec •
• Draft: Detroit Red Wings, 2nd round (49th overall), 1994 NHL Entry • From: Sherbrooke Faucons (QMJHL)
• Played: 1995/96 - 2004/05 (NHL) \\\ 1993/94 - 1995/96 (QMJHL) •

• Championships •
1997 Stanley Cup (NHL)
1998 Stanley Cup (NHL)
2002 Stanley Cup (NHL)

• International Medals •
2003 GOLD World Championships

• Achievements •
• Games Played
- Career NHL • 868
- Career NHL PLAYOFFS • 83
- Career QMJHL • 135

• Goals
- Career NHL • 68
- Career NHL PLAYOFFS • 3
- Career QMJHL • 55

• Assists
- Career NHL • 135
- Career NHL PLAYOFFS • 8
- Career QMJHL • 109

• Points
- Career NHL • 203
- Career NHL PLAYOFFS • 11
- Career QMJHL • 164

• PIMs
- Career NHL • 516
- Career NHL PLAYOFFS • 24
- Career QMJHL • 143

• Plus-Minus
- Career NHL • +42

• Accolades •

One word describes Mathieu Dandenault as a hockey player more than any other: versatile.

Dandenault was an explosive skater with game breaking speed and acceleration. All through junior he used that speed and skating ability to become a 100 point forward with his hometown Sherbrooke Faucons. That made him a 2nd round draft pick (49th overall) of the Detroit Red Wings in 1994.

Back on that draft day nobody, least of all Mathieu Dandenault, could have expected the career path he would take. Not that he would complain in hindsight, mind you. But he could never have guessed he would become a quality NHL defenseman.

Starting in his second NHL season Detroit coach Scotty Bowman experimented with the idea of playing Dandenault on the blue line. Due to a rash of injuries, Bowman figured Dandenault's skating would allow him to play there, at least short term. But Bowman, who similarly employed Jimmy Roberts in such fashion with Montreal back in the 1970s, was impressed enough to make it permanent.

"I had never played defence in my life and to start learning at the NHL level against the best players in the world was difficult. But you know, you learn and I worked hard and the guys helped me out a lot, and eventually I got comfortable and starting playing well."

Over the course of his career he would the ultimate swingman, capable of playing responsibly in his own zone or as a physical speed merchant up front on a 3rd or 4th energy line.

"I was a forward my first year and then Scotty Bowman asked me to play defence my second year." Dandenault said. "My third year, I was a forward and then my fourth year, I moved to defence and that's where I stayed, although there seemed to be a couple of weeks every season where there were injuries and I played a little forward."

Dandenault, a veteran of 13 NHL seasons and a three-time Stanley Cup winner, never complained. It meant he was a very valuable member of the powerhouse Detroit teams. No matter what the circumstances called for - be it a rash of injuries or a needed change of pace mid-game - Dandenault knew he would be called on to make important contributions to the team's success.

Bowman, arguably the greatest coach in NHL history, must have been very impressed with Dandenault even before the switch to the back end. Bowman preferred veteran players over rookies, but he kept Dandenault with the Wings as a 19 year old and only apprenticed him in the minor leagues for four games.

Dandenault played in 868 career NHL games and recorded 68 goals and 135 assists for 203 points, to go along with 516 penalty minutes. He spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Detroit Red Wings (1995-96 to 2003-04), and four seasons with his hometown Montreal Canadiens.

"It was a childhood dream of mine to play in the NHL and having the opportunity to play for two original-six franchises made it even more special," said Dandenault. "I grew up a huge Montreal Canadiens fan so skating out onto the ice in Montreal for the first time as a member of the Habs is something I will never forget. I feel honoured to have my name engraved on the Stanley Cup as a Detroit Red Wing.

On the international stage, Dandenault won a gold medal as member of Team Canada at the 2003 World Hockey Championships in Finland.

Mathieu Dandenault was one dandy hockey player. It is incredibly rare for a life-long forward to adequately make the switch to defense at the NHL level. Dandenault acquitted himself nicely.

Dandenault is a really underappreciated player, and he and my other spare were easily the two most interesting players to research. Dandenault was hockey's last true swingman, able to switch seamlessly from forward to defense multiple times, on a regular basis throughout his career. He played 13 seasons, and in just two of them he was exclusively a D-man, and in just three he was exclusively a forward. The others were very mixed.

Using official numbers from 1998-on, and estimates from 1996 and 1997, I can tell you Dandenault played 868 NHL games and 12,661 minutes for a total of 14.59 minutes a game.

If you view him as a forward, his 203 career points look pretty poor for a guy playing 14.59 minutes. And if you view him as a defenseman, his 14.59 minutes a game look pretty poor, even on a really strong team like the wings. But he had two separate careers that occurred at the same time, one as a forward and one as a defenseman, and neither were poor.

Using information provided to me by Detroit fans, the McKeen's and Sports Forecaster guides, the TOI file that I often refer to, positions listed on hockey-reference.com, Dandenault's game log on NHL.com, the total GP by other Detroit defensemen in each season, and various statistical indicators (shooting percentage, assists per goal, TOI and points per on-ice goal) I was able to piece this together just about as well as anyone could:

Year | GP | min | min/GP | Pts | F GP | F min | F min/GP | F Pts | D GP | D min | D min/GP | D Pts
1996 | 34 | 369 | 10.85 | 12 | 34 | 369 | 10.85 | 12 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | 0
1997 | 65 | 859 | 13.22 | 12 | 35 | 400 | 11.43 | 7 | 30 | 459 | 15.30 | 5
1998 | 68 | 684 | 10.06 | 17 | 68 | 684 | 10.06 | 17 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | 0
1999 | 75 | 1138 | 15.17 | 14 | 21 | 227 | 10.81 | 6 | 54 | 911 | 16.87 | 8
2000 | 81 | 986 | 12.17 | 18 | 68 | 770 | 11.32 | 15 | 13 | 216 | 16.62 | 3
2001 | 73 | 1175 | 16.10 | 25 | 17 | 197 | 11.59 | 7 | 56 | 978 | 17.46 | 18
2002 | 81 | 1354 | 16.72 | 20 | 15 | 196 | 13.07 | 4 | 66 | 1158 | 17.55 | 16
2003 | 74 | 1415 | 19.12 | 19 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | 0 | 74 | 1415 | 19.12 | 19
2004 | 65 | 896 | 13.78 | 12 | 25 | 238 | 9.52 | 6 | 40 | 658 | 16.45 | 6
2006 | 82 | 1528 | 18.63 | 20 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | 0 | 82 | 1528 | 18.63 | 20
2007 | 68 | 1096 | 16.12 | 8 | 10 | 103 | 10.30 | 2 | 58 | 993 | 17.12 | 6
2008 | 61 | 679 | 11.13 | 14 | 61 | 679 | 11.13 | 14 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | 0
2009 | 41 | 482 | 11.76 | 12 | 37 | 409 | 11.05 | 11 | 4 | 73 | 18.25 | 1
Career | 868 | 12661 | 14.59 | 203 | 391 | 4272 | 10.93 | 101 | 477 | 8389 | 17.59 | 102

So Dandenault played 391 games as a 10.93 minute RW, scoring 101 points (21 per 82 games) and 477 games as a 17.59 minute defenseman, scoring 102 points (18 per 82 games).

Either career, taken separately, would not be that impressive. But they happened at the same time, to the same player.

In other words, if Dandenault was never converted to D, it's reasonable to conclude he may have lasted the same 868 games and scored 224 points. If he had that career, he'd be drafted by now, when you consider that he did it mostly buried on the depth chart of the strongest team in the league, on average 16% better than average (that weighted average includes his 4 habs years, the Wings were closer to 128% while he was there). Dynasty role players are popular here, and with fairly good reason.

On the other hand, if he played his whole 868-game career as a 17.59 minute D-man, scoring 186 points, that is approximately Ken Klee territory, and Klee is one of the better defensemen to escape mention in these threads. Klee played just slightly more games, and slightly more per game, but only for average teams. Dandenault's record as a defenseman, if extrapolated over 868 games, should be considered better, which would make him worthy of selection exclusively as a defenseman right around the A draft or now. (please note that the only reason I consider 17.59 minutes a game a decent average is because of the team he was on. 17.59 minutes on average teams is NOT good). Don't forget that he's played 83 playoff games and contributed to three Stanley Cups.

The fact that he seamlessly interweaved these two careers into one is a positive for Dandenault, not a negative. But the impact it makes on his blended career numbers, if you ignore the context, appears negative, and that's why he hasn't been drafted to be a serviceable AAA/AA/A spare player. He should have been.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hockey Almanac 1996-97
if you like high speed skating, mad dashes for the net, and a rocket launcher for a shot, then Dandenault is your type of player... in part time duty, he played very well for Scotty Bowman, who has never been easily impressed... Dandenault's weakness is the Red Wings' strength. Though he has all the makings of a solid NHL talent, he has to play his way past several established veterans.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 1996-97
enthusiastic RW, whose feet are almost as swift as they are huge, hung around the team for the whole season... watched his fair share of games from the press box... Bowman likes him because he plays in both ends of the rink...

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 1997-98
entering this season, the sophomore forward had never played as much as a shift on defense. After a few weeks, he was moved back to the blueline and turned into a sizeable rearguard with rushing ability. The kid has highs and lows, being tentative for long streaks after bad mistakes. Bowlam let the experiment last for a few months until he acquired Larry Murphy. Expect him to dress for every game and to roam up and down the right wing when he gets the call.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 1999-2000
one of the brightest lights during a playoff run gone awry was the emergence of Dandenault as a regular. has adapted well to the blueline and should improve at his new position. On a scale of 1-10, Dandenault's speed is a 15. He has also quickly learned to play his position and rarely looks like an ex-forward out there...Scotty Bowman has hit a home run with this pet project.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 2000-2001
one of the league's fastest skaters and the wings' most versatile player... drafted as a RW, now spends most of his time on the blueline. Either way, he needs to make an impact soon.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 2001-02
after several seasons of bouncing back and forth between forward and defense, Dandenault appears to have settled into a role as a top-four blueliner in Detroit. The six-year pro has exceptional speed for a blueliner and is learning the intricacies of the position with the support of veteran talent on the roster... by the end of the season, he'd become one of Detroit's top four blueliners. Scotty Bowman's gamble has apparently paid off.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 2002-03
The speedster's days as a forward may be a thing of the past. One of the legacies Scotty Bowman leaves behind is his conversion of Dandenault to the blueline. He is maturing into a solid, all-around defender.

Quote: Originally Posted by McKeen's 2002-03
versatile ex-winger spent the entire year on the blueline and played his best hockey during the playoffs, thriving on a solid third pairing with Steve Duchesne... an explosive skater and good outlet passer, he plays tough, responsible defense and has steadily learned how to exploit his exhilarating speed and acceleration in all three zones. Has continued to mature into a solid, two-way player.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 2003-04
has made a permanent transition to the blueline.

Quote: Originally Posted by McKeen's 2005-06
had a trying 03-04 season that saw him shunted to forward for a while though he ended the campaign as a steady defenseman after returning from a broken foot... speedy, hardworking swingman isn't much of a physical deterrent but is a persistent and responsible defender with great recovery powers thanks to his world-class skating... brings coveted speed and versatility.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 2006-07
earned mixed reviews in his first season in Montreal. brought along terrific speed and loads of postseason experience. While he didn't handle the heavy workload very well, he was able to finish 3rd in +/-.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 2007-08
struggled last season and even saw action as a 4th liner down the stretch. Mobility has never been an issue, though he doesn't make the most of his gifts in the offensive zone.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sports Forecaster 2008-09
after spending most of his first two seasons in Montreal playing defense, Dandenault switched to energy line winger last year. He was in and out of the lineup in the second half, future with the club is in doubt.

 

[DaveG]

LW/C Sibby Nichol(s)

Nichol is in the center of the picture here, next to Frank Patrick.

Stats:

year|team|LG|GP|G|A|PTS|PIM
1911-12|VML|PCHA|15|19|0|19|36
1912-13|VML|PCHA|1|0|0|0|0
1913-14|VML|PCHA|12|14|7|21|18
1915-16|VML|PCHA|1|0|0|0|0
1915-16|VA1|PCHA|11|13|8|21|3
1916-17|SPO|PCHA|22|10|11|21|68
1919-20|SEA|PCHA|14|0|0|0|3

Lists of top scorers for those seasons can be tough to come by and incomplete, but of those I was able to find (1911-12, 1913-14) where Nichol played an entire season he placed 5th and 7th in league scoring respectively.



Scoring Ability:
Spokane Daily Chronicle - Nov 6th - 1918

Sibby Nichol, the star center forward of the Victoria hockey team of last winter, has affixed his name to a Spokane contract...

Nichol, like his teammate Kerr, who has already signed a Spokane contract, is considered one of the best scorers in the business.

Positions:
The Patricks, Hockey's Royal Family

Despite the fact that the Millionaires were unveiling a star-studded lineup that had Si Griffis paired with Frank on defense, Tom Phillips and Fred Harris on the wings, Sibby Nichols at center, and the inimitable Newsy Lalonde at rover...

 

[BubbaBoot]

George Vincent "Skinner" Poulin
center (also: forward / rover / defense)

• Shoots: left • Height: 5'6" • Weight: 155 lbs •
• Born: September 17, 1887 • Smith's Falls, Ontario
• Played: 1907/08 - 1909/10 (Manitoba Pro Hockey League) \\\ 1909/10 (Ontario Pro Hockey League) \\\ 1910/11, 1915/16 - 1916/17 (NHA) \\\ 1911/12 - 1914/15, 1918/19 (PCHA) \\\ 1919/20 - 1920/21 (SSHL) \\\ 1921/22 (WCHL) •

• Championships •
1913 Championship (PCHA)
1914 Championship (PCHA)
1916 Stanley Cup

• Achievements •
• Games Played
- Career NHA • 55
- Career PCHA • 63
- Career MHL-Pro • 23

• Goals
1907-08 MHL-Pro 12 (T10)
- Career NHA • 19
- Career PCHA • 27
- Career MHL-Pro • 24

• Assists
- Career NHA • 1
- Career PCHA • 17
- Career MHL-Pro • 8

• Points
1907-08 MHL-Pro 16 (9)
1913-14 PCHA 18 (9)
- Career NHA • 20
- Career PCHA • 44
- Career MHL-Pro • 32

• PIMs
1907-08 MHL-Pro 27 (4)
1908-09 MHL-Pro 18 (1)
1909-10 NHA 53 (T4)
1910-11 NHA 61 (T4)
1911-12 PCHA 48 (6)
1912-13 PCHA 64 (1)
1913-14 PCHA 47 (1)
1914-15 PCHA 47 (1)
1919-20 SSHL 31 (1)
- Career NHA • 171
- Career PCHA • 206
- Career MHL-Pro • 45
- Career SSHL • 42

• career team records •
Victoria Aristocrats (PCHA) PIMs (2)

• Accolades •

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=41052413&postcount=125

He was a center, though sometimes at rover and on defense, with a reputation for physicality and in demand by top clubs. He played for Rat Portage in 1908, one of four players recruited along with Lalonde, Pitier and Bernier to play for the new French club the Montreal Canadiens. The 23-year-old Poulin then scored the first game-winning goal in Habs history. Georges "Skinner" Poulin, Newsy Lalonde and Art Skinner each scored two goals in that game, Poulin's second marker sealing the 7-6 triumph, the clincher coming 5:35 into overtime. While Poulin would head west for several years, he was brought back to the Canadiens for their Stanley Cup winning 1916 season.

The Patricks stole players away from the East for their new PCHA and Poulin was one of them. He was the center of the home team in the first ever PCHA game in 1912. He scored 9 goals for the Victoria Aristocrats that inaugural season, the same as Walter Smail, one less than Bobby Rowe and Lester Patrick, and significantly less than his wingers, the two biggest producers on the team Tom Dunderdale and Don Smith who were top-5 PCHA scorers at 24 and 19 goals respectively. With Bert Lindsay in net, it was one fine club to center!

Quote:
That Skinner Poulin, the popular Victoria hockey star... the peppery Victoria rover... the "pepper box"... Poulin is now working on the harvest in Saskatchewan along with Bobby Rowe.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...n+hockey&hl=en

Quote: Originally Posted by The Toronto World, Dec 25, 1913
Skinner Poulin, the stocky rover of the Victoria team, is admittedly the best referee in the Pacific Coast Hockey League, and when the day arrives that he can no longer hold down his job with the champions he can get a steady position with the Patricks as an official referee. Poulin is right on top of the puck all the time and he makes up his mind with no hesitation whatsoever.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...n+hockey&hl=en

Quote: Originally Posted by The Toronto World, Dec 21, 1915
"The ex-coast player started out to bump everybody in sight against the Torontos"
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...n+hockey&hl=en

Quote: Originally Posted by The Saskatoon Phoenix, Dec 8th 1919
"He can play forward or defense equally well. He is a heavy checker but does not hand out anything he isn't prepared to take... Poulin is not as speedy as some of his teammates on the Canadiens, but he is a heady player and a good scorer. He is bound to give Dick Irvin a great old tussle in centre ice... Poulin will be one of the sharp-shooters.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...n+hockey&hl=en

Quote: Originally Posted by The Saskatoon Phoenix, Dec 30, 1919
Skinner Poulin played center and.. He checked back like a fiend
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...n+hockey&hl=en

Quote: Originally Posted by The Saskatoon Phoenix, Dec 6, 1919
Skinner Poulin, former Canadien star, and one of the smartest hockey players who ever participated in the game.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...n+hockey&hl=en

Poulin the Mixer.
Kerr looked like the best of the Vic. forwards, but he was full of scrap and caused manys the mix. Skinner Poulin was the bad boy of the piece. Poulin has a cocky little way about him which irritates whether he does anything or not. He and Cameron got hooked up early, and as Mr. Poulin is not at all adverse to mixing it with them, big or little, he was soon the target of everybody's abuse. He took all the slashing and slamming and butt-ending without a whine, and even when Cameron laid the flat of his stick, with a resounding smack, across his head, he took it without a murmur. Poulin was dirty, but game to the core, and he had a good deal of excuse for handing out what he did, for he was getting it from all quarters.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/hockey/024002-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=34&&PHPSESSID=06112ga80

 

[DaveG]

someone that could use a good bio:

D Marek Zidlicky

339 points in 648 career regular season games
15 points in 38 career playoff games
averages 21:15 TOI/G in the regular season, 21:26 in the playoffs

PP Points finishes: 2, 12, 60, 14, 14, 9, 55, 58, 16

I agree Zidlicky was the best PP guy left when Dave picked him today. I looked at the five best seasons according to adjusted points of the puckmoving defensemen and he had the most PP points of anyone I looked at. Edited in the missing guys.

|GP|Points|ESP|PPP
Galley|363|247|125|122
Zidlicky|382|229|107|122
Niinimaa|393|219|112|107
Malakhov|316|220|114|106
Kearns|385|216|110|106
B. Mironov|347|193|100|93
Poti|386|200|107|93
Murphy|360|176|83|93
Bladon|387|201|110|91
Mantha|359|188|101|87
Hardy|388|161|77|84
D. Mironov|335|191|108|83
Picard|362|196|118|78
Martin|330|177|99|78
Lidster|368|158|83|75
Boucher|372|178|117|61
Brown|347|138|99|39

But New Jersey captain Zach Parise knows the importance of an active defense to the style his team plays.

“That’s so important,” he said today. “It’s hard when your ‘D’ aren’t allowed to pinch and when your ‘D’ aren’t allowed to get involved, because you’re playing 3-on-5 all night. That’s too hard. It makes the game too hard and it makes scoring too hard. Once our ‘D’ started to be allowed to jump into the play and get involved in the offense, it opened some things up for everybody.

“It opens up second opportunities. You’re allowed to get more offensive zone time. They’ve done a great job in the playoffs keeping pucks alive, keeping cycles going and really hemming teams in their own zone. From a forward’s standpoint, it’s kind of a relief to get those ‘D’ men involved. It just makes life a lot easier.”

One defenseman in particular Parise says has helped is Marek Zidlicky. The Devils acquired the underutilized 35-year-old from Minnesota in February, sending defenseman Kurtis Foster and forwards Nick Palmieri and Stephane Veilleux to the Wild in return.

“[Zidlicky’s] skating ability, his patience with the puck has really helped us out a lot up front and kept plays alive,” said Parise. “He makes a great first outlet pass. That was a really good acquisition for us that really gave us a new attack and a new dynamic that we were somewhat lacking.”

 

[BubbaBoot]

Timo Jutila
defense

• Shoots: left • Height: 5'9" • Weight: 187 lbs. •
• Born: December 24, 1963 • Tampere, Finland •
• Draft: Buffalo Sabres • 4th round (68th overall) • 1982 NHL Entry • from: Tappara (SM-Liiga) •
• Played: 1984/85 (NHL) \\\ 1984/85 (AHL) \\\ 1980/81 - 1983/84, 1985/86 - 1987/88, 1991/92 - 1995/96, 1997/98 - 1998/99 (SM-Liiga) \\\ 1988/89 - 1990/91 (SEL) \\\ 1996/97 (Swiss NLA) •
• Hall of Fame: IIHF (2003) \\\ Finland (2003) •

• Championships •
1984 SM-Liiga
1986 SM-Liiga
1987 SM-Liiga
1988 SM-Liiga
1997 Swiss NLA

• International Medals •
1995 GOLD World Championships
1981 SILVER World JR Championships
1992 SILVER World Championships
1994 SILVER World Championships
1982 BRONZE World JR Championships
1991 BRONZE Canada Cup
1994 BRONZE Olympics

• Awards •
1987/88 • Pekka Rautakallio Award / SM-Liiga Best Defenseman

• Honors •
1987 SM-Liiga 1st Team All-Star
1988 SM-Liiga 1st Team All-Star
1992 World Championships 1st Team All-Star
1993 SM-Liiga 1st Team All-Star
1994 SM-Liiga 1st Team All-Star
1994 World Championships 1st Team All-Star
1995 SM-Liiga 1st Team All-Star
1995 World Championships 1st Team All-Star

• Achievements •
• Games Played
- Career SM-Liiga • 561
- Career SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS • 81
- Career SEL • 151
- Career INTERNATIONAL • 84 (WCs & Olympics)

• Goals
1980-81 SM-Liiga 9 (T8 for defensemen)
1993-94 SM-Liiga 13 (3 for defensemen)
1984-85 AHL 13 (T4 for defensemen)
1986-87 SM-Liiga 10 (T9 for defensemen)
1987-88 SM-Liiga 12 (T5 for defensemen)
1987-88 SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS 6 (T2 / T1 for defensemen)
1990-91 SEL 8 (T6 for defensemen)
1992-93 SM-Liiga 10 (T4 for defensemen)
1993-94 SM-Liiga 13 (3 for defensemen)
1994-95 SM-Liiga 11 (5 for defensemen)
1995-96 SM-Liiga 14 (4 for defensemen)
- Career SM-Liiga • 124
- Career SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS • 17
- Career SEL • 32
- Career INTERNATIONAL • 16

• Assists
1986-87 SM-Liiga 28 (2 for defensemen)
1987-88 SM-Liiga 34 (T7 / 1 for defensemen)
1987-88 SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS 6 (T2 / T1 for defensemen)
1988-89 SEL 19 (T5 for defensemen)
1989-90 SEL 29 (1 for defensemen)
1990-91 SEL 25 (1 for defensemen)
1992-93 SM-Liiga 33 (6 / 1 for defensemen)
1993-94 SM-Liiga 36 (T3 / 1 for defensemen)
1994-95 SM-Liiga 30 (1 for defensemen)
1995-96 SM-Liiga 37 (4 / 1 for defensemen)
1996-97 Swiss NLA 20 (T8 for defensemen)
1997-98 SM-Liiga 20 (T4 for defensemen)
1998-99 SM-Liiga 18 (T11 for defensemen)
- Career SM-Liiga • 311
- Career SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS • 50
- Career SEL • 93
- Career INTERNATIONAL • 25

• Points
1983-84 SM-Liiga 27 (8 for defensemen)
1984-85 AHL 43 (T8 for defensemen)
1986-87 SM-Liiga 38 (4 for defensemen)
1987-88 SM-Liiga 46 (1 for defensemen)
1987-88 SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS 12 (T3 / T1 for defensemen)
1988-89 SEL 26 (T4 for defensemen)
1989-90 SEL 29 (2 for defensemen.....1 pt behind leader)
1990-91 SEL 33 (T13 / 1 for defensemen)
1991-92 EL 37 (T16 / 1 for defensemen)
1992 World Championships 7 (T8 / 2 for defensemen)
1992-93 SM-Liiga 43 (1 for defensemen)
1993-94 SM-Liiga 49 (T6 / 1 for defensemen)
1994-95 SM-Liiga 41 (1 for defensemen)
1995 World Championships 7 (T11 / 1 for defensemen)
1995-96 SM-Liiga 51 (T6 / 1 for defensemen)
1996-97 Swiss NLA 28 (9 for defensemen)
1997-98 SM-Liiga 27 (T5 for defensemen)
1998-99 SM-Liiga 27 (10 for defensemen)
- Career SM-Liiga • 435
- Career SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS • 50
- Career SEL • 125
- Career INTERNATIONAL • 41

• PIMs
- Career SM-Liiga • 659
- Career SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS • 120
- Career SEL • 187
- Career INTERNATIONAL • 78

• Plus/Minus
1986-87 SM-Liiga +29 (T4)
- Career SM-Liiga • +136
- Career SM-Liiga PLAYOFFS • -2
- Career INTERNATIONAL • +38

• Team Records•

SM-Liiga:
- 2nd all-time for points by a defenseman (435)
- 3rd all-time for assists by a defenseman (311)
- 4th all-time for goals by a defenseman (124)

Tampere Tappara:
- 2nd all-time for assists / 1st by a defenseman (306)
- 3rd all-time for PIMs / 2nd by a defenseman (651)
- 4th all-time for points / 1st by a defenseman (428)
- 4th all-time for games / 3rd by a defenseman (561)
- 8th all-time for goals / 1st by a defenseman (122)
- Most points by a defenseman in one season (51 in 1995-96)
- Most assists by a defenseman in one season (37 in 1995-96)

Team Finland:
- 1st all-time for plus/minus (+38)
- 2nd all-time for points by a defenseman (34)
- tied 3rd all-time for goals by a defenseman (13)
- tied 3rd all-time for assists by a defenseman (21)
- 9th all-time for PIMs / 4th by a defenseman (62)

• Accolades •

Defender Timo Jutila captained the Finnish Lions to their first ever World Championship title in Stockholm in 1995.

Jutila made his major debut in the national team at the Sarajevo Olympic Games in 1984. He played for Finland at all World Championship tournaments between 1991 and 1997, winning gold in 1995 and silver in 1992 and 1994. He is best remembered from the 1995 tournament, where he scored Finland’s last goal in the 4–1 victory over Sweden in the final and lifted the championship trophy as team captain.

Timo Jutila In the domestic league Jutila only ever played for one team, Tappara of Tampere. He also played at Luleå HF in the Swedish league, Buffalo Sabres in the NHL and the Swiss league team SC Bern. After his playing career Jutila has served as team leader in the Finnish national team. In 2003 he was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame.

A defenceman with good mobility and hockey sense, Timo Jutila played ten games with the Buffalo Sabres in 1984-85. He was one of the most experienced international players ever for Finland while also playing in the domestic leagues of Sweden and his home country.

The young star competed for Finland at the World Junior Championships in 1981, 1982, and 1983. He won a silver medal in 1981 and a bronze the next year.

After graduating to the senior team, Jutila played in his first World Championships in 1987 where the team placed fourth. He later became a fixture in the Finnish lineup at the World Championships from 1991 to 1997, winning two silver medals and one gold. Jutila was named to the tournament all-star team in 1992, 1994, and 1995. He also took part in the 1988 and 1991 Canada Cups and played at the 1992 Albertville Olympics and 1994 Lillehammer games. Jutila was one of Finland's top performers when they captured the bronze medal in Lillehammer.

One of the most decorated domestic players ever in Finland, Jutila was selected to the Finnish first all-star team 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, and 1996.

A tiny defensemen, Timo Jutila made up for his lack of size with great mobility and good puck movement and hockey sense. Jutila was never overly enthused by the rugged North American style of play. Despite this the Buffalo Sabres liked his high skill level and drafted him 68th overall in the 1982 Entry Draft.

A proud Finn, Jutila was already something of a legend in Finland by the time he was drafted by the Sabres. Jutila was a standout junior player. He earned Silver and Bronze medals in the 1981 and 1982 World Junior Championships, respectively. He was so good that he was the youngest player ever in the Finnish Elite League, debuting at age 16 with his hometown Tappara Tampere, and helped the team capture the league championship in 1982..

Seeing the success of other Finns in the NHL, including Buffalo's Hannu Virta, Jutila attended the Sabres training camp in September 1983 and got into 3 pre-season games before returning to Tampere. It was a season to remember for Jutila. Again he led the team to a league championship, but he also had the chance to represent his country at the Olympic games.

Jutila attempted to make the jump to the National Hockey League in 1984-85. He made the team out of training camp, and scored 1 goal and 6 points in 10 games before being sent down to the minor leagues. With the Rochester Americans he developed his game to North American standards. His high skill level was apparent in the AHL, but he never did become enthralled with the more physical game.

Jutila returned to Finland in 1985-86 and would never return to the North America. But make no mistake, Jutila was far from done in hockey. He would go on to become a Hall of Famer after retiring in 1999.
Jutila returned to Finland and captured three more national championship titles. In total he played 561 games with Tampere, racking up an amazing 435 points. Surprisingly he was an all star only 5 times and only once was named as the top defenseman in Finland. Jutila also spent several years playing in Sweden and Switzerland.

Jutila still embraced the Finnish national team level. He participated in two more Olympic Games, including a bronze medal performance in 1994. He participated in eight IIHF World Championship tournaments, capturing two silver medals, and was instrumental in Finland's first IIHF World Championship gold medal in 1995. Jutila also participated in the 1987 and 1991 Canada Cups.

In total Jutila participated in 246 national team games, many of which he served as team captain, scoring 128 points. One of the greatest Finnish players of all time, his great devotion to the Finnish National Team got him elected to the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003..