With the 609th pick in ATD2010, The Regina Pats are pleased to select:
Phil Russell, D
- 6'2", 205 lbs
- Stanley Cup Finalist (1973)
- Placed 13th, 15th, 18th among defensemen in scoring
- 10th in Playoff Defense scoring (1981)
- 10th in Norris Voting (1979)
- Placed 13th, 14th in All-Star Voting
- Top-10 in PIMs 3 Times (3rd, 4th, 6th)
- 3-time All-Star Game Participant (1976, 1977, 1985)
- Career Adjusted +72
loh.net said:
When the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Phil Russell in 1972, there was no mystery about the kind of player they were about to usher into their organization. The big rearguard had just completed a two-year stint with the Edmonton Oil Kings where he led the WCJHL in penalty minutes while showcasing an abundance of hockey skill.
Russell made the leap directly onto the Hawks' blueline corps in 1972-73. From the moment he hit the ice in training camp, the rookie defender made a strong impression on the minds of management and on the bodies of his teammates and opponents.
He arrived in the big leagues as a soft-spoken but hard-nosed type who could skate well for his size, play with muscle, handle the puck with confidence, and contribute to the power play.
Russell remained a bellicose mainstay on the Hawks' defense for almost seven seasons. In 1979, his club couldn't resist the opportunity to land the star potential of Tom Lysiak. The trade, one of the larger in league history, displaced a wagonload of players, including Russell who went south to Atlanta.
Initially, the big blueliner was not happy to be dispatched to the Flames. He was fiercely loyal to the Windy City and its team. He considered the move to be a rap on his reputation. But upon further reflection, he eventually recognized that the change had brought a renewed spirit that raised his level of play.
Russell continued to play his game of solid defense for a season and a half and then joined his team in its move to Calgary. He remained in Alberta until his trade to the New Jersey Devils in 1983. By then, he was at the tail end of a lengthy career and the Devils were at the tail end of the league's standing. Nonetheless, he toiled on for three seasons until his trade to the Buffalo Sabres in 1985.
Joe Pelletier said:
Phil Russell was one of the most physical defensemen in the NHL through out the 1970s and mid 1980s. He played the game like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Some called him exuberant, while others called him just downright nasty.
But everyone called him valuable.
Phil wasn't valuable just because he was so feisty. Yes he intimidated more than a few opposition forwards to be sure, but 6'2" 200lb monster was also a very good skater - which is a bit unusual for defensemen of this sort, especially in that era. As a result, Phil was a standout on the blue line as his mobility proved to be a real asset. He could cover a lot of ice without the puck, and was able to do more than just fire the puck out of the zone once he gained possession.
Phil was never much of an offensive threat. He scored a career high 45 points in 1976-77 and a career high 13 goals in 1982-83. But this didn't prevent him from earning recognition as one of the game's best rearguards as witnessed by his 3 inclusions in the mid season all star game (1976, 1977 and 1985).
Phil, who was as nice a guy off the ice as he was mean on it, was drafted in the 1st round, 13th overall, by the Chicago Black Hawks after terrorizing the Western Junior Hockey League with his hometown Edmonton Oil Kings. He was able to step into the NHL immediately and contributed nicely in Chicago for almost 7 years.
The Hawks weren't going anywhere by the late 1970s and were looking to make a major shake-up. The accomplished this by trading Phil ... to Atlanta in exchange for a host of players, most notably Tom Lysiak.
Phil was a steadying influence on the Flames blue line for 5 seasons before he was again on the move, this time to New Jersey. Those were some pretty lean years in Devil-ville, but Phil kept his teammates hustling and his opponents honest.
...The most telling stat of Phil's career is 1016 games played in the NHL. In most of those games Phil was a key player who was counted on heavily by the coach and his teammates. In those games Phil scored 99 times, assisted on 325 others and had 424 points. He earned 2038 minutes in the penalty box in that time as well. He added 4 goals and 26 points in 73 post season affairs.
Unsung Hawks said:
Breaking into the NHL ranks right from junior hockey is no easy feat; even the great Gordie Howe began his career in the minors. It's even more notable when you can do it with a team that finished first in its division the three previous seasons.
Phil "Rusty" Russell made such a jump, coming to the Blackhawks in 1972 after being selected 13th overall in the entry draft. Phil was regarded even then as a potential NHL enforcer, having led the WCHL in penalty minutes in both of his seasons with the league's Edmonton squad. He was known as a hard-nosed defender who skated well for his size and was also a smart puck handler.
Even with a team that included the likes of Keith Magnuson and Jerry "King Kong" Korab, Russell made an immediate impact in Chicago, most often on the bodies of Blackhawks opponents.
Players: The Ultimate A-Z Guide Of Everyone Who Has Ever Played In the NHL said:
Not only was Russell a big and strong defenseman, he was also durable and a survivor... Despite playing his best hockey in Calgary the team couldn't go very far in the playoffs.
A quote from the 2nd game of Russell's NHL career:
Globe and Mail said:
Russell looks like the perfect accomplice for Magnuson and Korab when it comes to mauling the opposition. In fact, every time a leaf was bounced it seemed that Russell was doing the punishment.
Russell was very highly ragarded right from the start:
Sports Illustrated said:
Stapleton's departure places extreme pressure on 21-year-old Phil Russell, last season's fine rookie who was the Hawks' best defenseman in the final Stanley Cup series. Russell is the only Chicago defenseman with any natural puck-carrying ability.
Montreal Gazette said:
Reay has confidence in his young rearguard too. Russell has been paired with veteran Bill White and is one of only four defensemen the Hawks use regularly. "If you're not doing anything, you never make mistakes," was Reay's philosophy. "We know that he can carry the puck." Russell can also bodycheck - and fight. He collected 156 minutes in penalties last year, five of that total for a lengthy punch-up with **** ****** - which ended with Russell shaking ****** like a rag doll... "Hitting's my game. If you're going to hit, you'll get into these things. But I've been trying to concentrate on being a defensive defenseman. You can't go roaring around like a crazy, hoping to get a bushel of goals. I've got a job to do on defense."
Sports Illustrated said:
Despite poor positions in the draft, two years ago Chicago plucked Phil Russell, the best young defenseman in the game,
The World Almanac Guide to Pro Hockey 1974-1975 said:
HARDEST HITTER
5th - Phil Russell, CHI - 6 pts
Some of the older GMs may remember that for a while, Phil Russell was talked about as straight-up compensation for the Hawks signing Bobby Orr:
The Telegraph said:
Coach Don Cherry has said he would be happy if Chicago compensated with just one player, big defenseman Phil Russell.
A good example of Russell's "on the edge" play and the abuse that comes with it:
Pittsburgh Press said:
Chicago defenseman Phil Russell caught **** with what Russell called a "clean bodycheck", knocking **** into the boards at the penalty box. The next time Russell was in the corner, Stan Gilbertson ran him into the boards. The two scrambled on the ice, and Russell grabbed Gilbertson in a leg lock. "I must be getting stupid in my old age," Gilbertson said. "I thought I threw a clean check, just like he said he hit **** with a clean check."
Another example of Russell injuring a player. note that it is not mentioned to be a dirty play.
Anchorage Daily News said:
Defenseman Claire Alexander suffered a broken right arm in Sunday night's game against the Black Hawks. The 31-year old Alexander was injured when he hit the ice after being bodychecked by Phil Russell and is expected to be out of action for the remainder of the season.
A quote from the 1977 World Championships:
Montreal Gazette said:
The Canadians claim that most of their chippy play is retaliation. After the game, the right side of Russell's face was a swollen, bloody mess. by yesterday, he was almost unrecognizable as discoloration had begun. "the guy had crosschecked me," grunted Russell through his swollen lips. "I was going to slide my hand down on my stick about six inches and do the same thing to him but I decided that because this is international competition, I'd be sportsmanlike so I just knocked him down."
Complete Handbook Of Pro Hockey 1978 said:
One of the league's most robust defenders... one of hockey's most prized young defensemen... Rival GMs mention his name automatically when asked about trades they'd like to make... big, strong, and tough... Fiery competitor who plays with a mean streak... Commands great respect on ice and specializes in slamming opponents into boards... in 1976-77 was Chicago's only plus regular.
For a while, Phil Russell was very high in fan voting to be named to the NHL team to face the Soviets:
Globe and Mail said:
Defense:
Denis Potvin, 18,772,
Ron Greschner, 16,273,
Larry Robinson, 15,318,
Phil Russell, 12,803,
Robert Picard, 11,502,
Brad Park, 10,472,
Borje Salming, 10,458,
Guy Lapointe 7226,
Barry Beck, 5416,
Jim Watson, 4887.
Complete Handbook Of Pro Hockey 1979 said:
Gives opponents their Phil... tough, mean, and nasty... Injuries cut into his season but didn't diminish his enthusiasm... Sometimes is too exuberant... good skater... outstanding checker...
Russell's trade to Chicago shocked him, but he was a very coveted player, not only by Atlanta, but also by Montreal:
Globe and Mail said:
"Russell is the kind of defenseman that we have needed to compete consistently with the premier teams in the NHL," said Flames GM Cliff Fletcher.
the Palm Beach Post said:
Russell, an all-star caliber defenseman...
Sports Illustrated said:
Grundman's detractors claim that while he may well be a shrewd businessman, he is not a "hockey man." A hockey man, a Pollock, would have obtained a No. 4 defenseman for the Canadiens by now, or so they insist. "Would Sam Pollock have let Phil Russell be traded from Chicago to Atlanta when Phil Russell was exactly the defenseman the Canadiens needed?" they ask.
Sports Illustrated said:
Reinhart feels that he, too, is in the right business. "Without sounding like I'm bragging, I always knew I'd wind up in the NHL," he says. Maybe so, but Reinhart still had to learn a basic fact about life in the NHL. "The very first day of practice, within 30 seconds, I had my head down and I got decked," he says. "Phil Russell, my teammate, taught me that very important lesson: keep your head up."
The Complete Handbook Of Pro Hockey 1980 said:
Philled a hole for the team... Was principal player in eight-man trade with Chicago... Highly sought-after player for whom Canadiens once offered three players... Young and tough... Excellent bodychecker... Fiery competitor who can turn a game around... Does not score a lot but does not have to...
The Complete Handbook Of Pro Hockey 1981 said:
Good bodychecker... good skater... aggressive...
Globe and Mail said:
Edberg broke his jaw when checked by Flame defenseman Phil Russell.
A couple of quotes from the classic Calgary/Minnesota series of 1981:
Globe and Mail said:
The Flames let up on their strong checking game in the second period and invited disaster. If not for the brilliant work of ****** and the bold shot blocking of Phil Russell, they might have lost their lead.
Globe and Mail said:
Crunching checks came from Phil Russell, ******* and *******. they were purposely aimed at key performers such as Bobby Smith and Brad Maxwell.
Argus-Press said:
CALGARY UPSETS SOVIETS... Calgary threw up a wall at its blueline and frustrated the Soviets. The flame defense, anchored by captain Phil Russell, restricted the Soviets to 29 shots, only a few of which were good opportunities.
Although Russell wasn't what he once was in New Jersey, he was still pretty well regarded as a shot blocker, defensive player, and the classic wily veteran leader:
Globe and Mail said:
"We've been on the lookout to get two seasoned NHL players without too much age on them to go along with our younger players," New Jersey GM MacMillan said. "Russell has a reputation for being really good with young players. It's what we need to be competitive. They're not going to turn us into winners, but we're going to be competitive."
Complete Handbook Of Pro Hockey 1984 said:
The Devils can be outmuscled in front of the net. Getting Phil Russell from Calgary should help in this area.
Montreal Gazette said:
A flood of Devils played extremely well, led by goaltender Resch and defensemen Phil Russell and *** *******.
Reading Eagle said:
With ***** ****** providing the offense and Ron Low and Phil Russell taking care of the defense, the Devils shocked the Flyers 2-1.
Complete Handbook Of Pro Hockey 1985 said:
Classy, sharp-witted old pro type... never an all-star but always a consistently good defenseman since joining the NHL in 1972... can play right or left defense... Blocked 51 shots last season, one off the team lead.
by this point, Russell was only a bit player on the international scene, but he went to represent Canada, and he sure wasn't happy with those who didn't. I bet these comments ruffled a few feathers around the NHL:
Montreal Gazette said:
Phil Russell, at 33 the 2nd-oldest member of the team, was grumbling. He was not upset at his lack of ice time but at the who-cares approach Canada takes at this annual affair. "I mean, after all, this is the world championship," said Russell. "It's the biggest thing there is for every country but our own." What ticked off Russell was what he terms the lack of cooperation and interest in the event around the NHL. "Maybe it should be a mandatory thing that, if you are available, you should have to come here," he said. "As it stands now, there are guys who are needed who don't show up. There are agents and GMs who discourage players from coming. I mean the rewards in life, in this game, shouldn't always be monetary. The reward here comes after the game when you hear your anthem and they raise your flag."
Phil Russell: Always a top Defenseman on a Playoff Team:
Many defensemen have been selected already who were supporting members of their teams - role players. Phil Russell was an integral member of his team's defense corps every season of his career.
I created an ice-time estimation model based on GF and GA in different situations. I ran this model for all defensemen on Phil Russell's teams throughout his career. PPGA were used to approximate SH time, PPGF were used to approximate PP time, and ESGA+ESGF were used to approximate ES time. I them integrated each player's percentage into realistic models of situational ice time for a team (46 minutes at ES, 14 on special teams) to get their situational ice times. (I'm sure something like this has been done before, and better, but this worked remarkably well for a rough guess.)
What I found is that Russell was in every one of Russell's full seasons (1972-73 through 1984-85), he was in the top-3 on his team in ice time. (exception is his rookie season, when he was behind ATD staples Pat Stapleton, Bill White, and Keith Magnuson) And for 11 straight seasons, prior to joining New Jersey, he was playing these big minutes for playoff teams. In fact, in six of these seasons he was actually a more relied-upon defenseman in non-PP situations while a "specialist"-type defenseman with fewer ES and PK minutes got all the PP minutes, taking his total TOI above Russell's; these seasons are denoted with a star:
Year | Team | Rank | Team Pts | Playoffs?
1973 | CHI | 4 | 93 | Y
1974* | CHI | 3 | 105 | Y
1975 | CHI | 3 | 82 | Y
1976 | CHI | 2 | 82 | Y
1977 | CHI | 1 | 63 | Y
1978 | CHI | 1 | 83 | Y
1979* | CHI | 3 | 73 | Y
1980 | ATL | 1 | 83 | Y
1981 | CGY | 1 | 92 | Y
1982* | CGY | 3 | 75 | Y
1983* | CGY | 3 | 78 | Y
1984* | NJD | 2 | 41 | N
1985* | NJD | 3 | 54 | N
edit: I got a hold of a file from the hockey analysis group on yahoogroups, where someone used a formula much more sophisticated than mine and calculated for all players from 1968 to 2008. Russell's icetimes and rankings on his team by this method are as follows:
Year | Team | Rank | Icetime
1973 | CHI | 4 | 21.98
1974* | CHI | 3 | 23.79
1975 | CHI | 3 | 25.11
1976 | CHI | 2 | 27.16
1977 | CHI | 1 | 29.21
1978 | CHI |
1
| 25.68
1979* | CHI | 1 | 23.47
1980 | ATL | 1 | 23.27
1981 | CGY | 1 | 26.59
1982* | CGY | 3 | 23.22
1983* | CGY | 3 | 21.67
1984* | NJD | 2 | 23.01
1985* | NJD |
2
| 22.32
It appears I underestimated how much Russell was used in 1978 and 1985.
Why Raw Point Totals Are Not Always the Best Way To Judge Defensemen Offensively
Phil Russell scored over 400 points in his career, which was a decent total, good for 64th post-expansion to 2008. However, Russell was not often used on the PP as his teams often had "offensive specialists" on defense. Only 61 of these points were scored on the power play. Among the 28 defensemen with 400+ points during this period, this is the lowest PP total. (Only Serge Savard, Kevin Lowe, and Brad McCrimmon approach this total)
Looking up the list of defensemen, you actually have to go all the way to Carol Vadnais at 34th with 584 points, before you find a defenseman with more ESP than Russell. To find a defenseman on the list with fewer PP points than Russell, you have to look down to 90th, a guy with 358 points.
I did some calculations to determine which defensemen post-expansion have done the best job of putting up points at even strength. Since this is a 40-year period adjustments for era had to be done. This is the calculation: (adjusted points 1968-2008)/(points 1968-2008)*(career ESP)/(career GP
, plus 30 if the player played a full 1995 season because pts are adjusted, therefore, GP must also be.) = career adjusted even strength points per game. Under this metric, Russell's offensive ability begins to show through:
Career Adjusted Even Strength Points Per Game, Defensemen, 400+ Points, 1968-2008:
Name | Adj GP 68-08 | Pts 68-08 | ESP 68-08 | PPP 68-08 | SHP 68-08 | Adj P 68-08 | Adj ESP 68-08 | Adj ESPPG
ORR, BOBBY | 596 | 874 | 515 | 319 | 40 | 834 | 491 | 0.82
COFFEY, PAUL | 1439 | 1531 | 822 | 666 | 43 | 1347 | 723 | 0.50
POTVIN, DENIS | 1060 | 1052 | 575 | 442 | 35 | 882 | 482 | 0.45
BOURQUE, RAY | 1642 | 1577 | 787 | 745 | 45 | 1424 | 711 | 0.43
PARK, BRAD | 1115 | 896 | 520 | 355 | 20 | 788 | 457 | 0.41
ROBINSON, LARRY | 1384 | 958 | 665 | 273 | 20 | 800 | 555 | 0.40
TURNBULL, IAN | 628 | 440 | 293 | 136 | 11 | 373 | 248 | 0.40
HOWE, MARK | 802 | 597 | 384 | 247 | 45 | 492 | 316 | 0.39
LAPOINTE, GUY | 884 | 622 | 392 | 213 | 17 | 550 | 347 | 0.39
LEETCH, BRIAN | 1235 | 1028 | 464 | 542 | 22 | 1039 | 469 | 0.38
HOUSLEY, PHIL | 1525 | 1232 | 606 | 616 | 10 | 1148 | 565 | 0.37
LARSON, REED | 904 | 685 | 408 | 256 | 21 | 555 | 331 | 0.37
SALMING, BORJE | 1148 | 787 | 495 | 265 | 27 | 662 | 416 | 0.36
(undrafted) | 1143 | 752 | 421 | 314 | 18 | 728 | 408 | 0.36
MURPHY, LARRY | 1645 | 1216 | 650 | 542 | 24 | 1097 | 586 | 0.36
REINHART, PAUL | 648 | 559 | 287 | 260 | 12 | 449 | 231 | 0.36
WILSON, DOUG | 1024 | 827 | 443 | 363 | 21 | 672 | 360 | 0.35
LIDSTROM, NICKLAS | 1282 | 938 | 422 | 481 | 35 | 987 | 444 | 0.35
MacINNIS, AL | 1446 | 1274 | 530 | 709 | 36 | 1200 | 499 | 0.35
OZOLINSH, SANDIS | 905 | 564 | 286 | 271 | 7 | 609 | 309 | 0.34
ZUBOV, SERGEI | 1088 | 767 | 344 | 405 | 18 | 822 | 369 | 0.34
BLAKE, ROB | 1157 | 702 | 335 | 349 | 18 | 806 | 385 | 0.33
GONCHAR, SERGEI | 934 | 615 | 286 | 320 | 9 | 664 | 309 | 0.33
NIEDERMAYER, SCOTT | 1131 | 633 | 345 | 276 | 12 | 675 | 368 | 0.33
STEVENS, SCOTT | 1665 | 908 | 586 | 297 | 26 | 831 | 536 | 0.32
(undrafted) | 889 | 459 | 324 | 123 | 13 | 403 | 284 | 0.32
VADNAIS, CAROL | 1076 | 584 | 369 | 196 | 19 | 528 | 334 | 0.31
HARTSBURG, CRAIG | 570 | 413 | 221 | 183 | 9 | 328 | 176 | 0.31
(undrafted) | 681 | 402 | 195 | 197 | 10 | 430 | 209 | 0.31
(undrafted) | 771 | 445 | 264 | 174 | 7 | 398 | 236 | 0.31
SAVARD, SERGE | 1038 | 439 | 347 | 73 | 19 | 396 | 313 | 0.30
IAFRATE, AL | 829 | 463 | 292 | 154 | 17 | 396 | 250 | 0.30
RUSSELL, PHIL
|
1016
|
424
|
348
|
61
|
15
|
358
|
294
|
0.29
CHELIOS, CHRIS | 1646 | 948 | 506 | 392 | 50 | 908 | 485 | 0.29
DESJARDINS, ERIC | 1173 | 575 | 323 | 234 | 18 | 600 | 337 | 0.29
HATCHER, KEVIN | 1187 | 676 | 353 | 298 | 25 | 650 | 339 | 0.29
(undrafted) | 716 | 404 | 244 | 155 | 5 | 330 | 199 | 0.28
(undrafted) | 777 | 584 | 233 | 339 | 12 | 539 | 215 | 0.28
SUTER, GARY | 1175 | 845 | 345 | 476 | 24 | 795 | 325 | 0.28
SCHNEIDER, MATHIEU | 1227 | 702 | 324 | 371 | 7 | 732 | 338 | 0.28
(undrafted) | 838 | 410 | 213 | 190 | 7 | 442 | 230 | 0.27
CARLYLE, RANDY | 1055 | 647 | 356 | 270 | 21 | 523 | 288 | 0.27
PRONGER, CHRIS | 970 | 558 | 245 | 298 | 15 | 602 | 264 | 0.27
(undrafted) | 899 | 423 | 295 | 116 | 13 | 348 | 243 | 0.27
PATRICK, JAMES | 1110 | 639 | 330 | 292 | 17 | 579 | 299 | 0.27
(undrafted) | 1179 | 599 | 329 | 255 | 15 | 576 | 316 | 0.27
KORAB, JERRY | 975 | 455 | 302 | 137 | 16 | 392 | 260 | 0.27
(undrafted) | 1015 | 468 | 270 | 175 | 23 | 468 | 270 | 0.27
(undrafted) | 955 | 433 | 304 | 114 | 15 | 354 | 249 | 0.26
NUMMINEN, TEPPO | 1345 | 620 | 334 | 268 | 18 | 638 | 344 | 0.26
(undrafted) | 1225 | 723 | 361 | 349 | 13 | 611 | 305 | 0.25
(undrafted) | 1008 | 514 | 307 | 191 | 15 | 420 | 251 | 0.25
(undrafted) | 860 | 439 | 266 | 154 | 19 | 352 | 213 | 0.25
(undrafted) | 674 | 421 | 196 | 219 | 5 | 358 | 167 | 0.25
HUDDY, CHARLIE | 1047 | 453 | 302 | 133 | 19 | 380 | 253 | 0.24
(undrafted) | 1097 | 420 | 323 | 83 | 14 | 344 | 265 | 0.24
(undrafted) | 948 | 486 | 250 | 223 | 13 | 439 | 226 | 0.24
(undrafted) | 1106 | 531 | 244 | 268 | 19 | 571 | 262 | 0.24
(undrafted) | 1052 | 581 | 262 | 310 | 9 | 553 | 249 | 0.24
JOHANSSON, CALLE | 1139 | 535 | 269 | 252 | 14 | 532 | 267 | 0.23
RAMAGE, ROB | 1044 | 564 | 295 | 257 | 11 | 458 | 240 | 0.23
(undrafted) | 917 | 418 | 195 | 210 | 13 | 447 | 209 | 0.23
(undrafted) | 1201 | 435 | 277 | 140 | 18 | 427 | 272 | 0.23
(undrafted) | 914 | 464 | 253 | 200 | 11 | 378 | 206 | 0.23
(undrafted) | 1201 | 484 | 249 | 230 | 5 | 524 | 270 | 0.22
(undrafted) | 977 | 402 | 206 | 192 | 4 | 426 | 218 | 0.22
LOWE, KEVIN | 1284 | 431 | 332 | 63 | 36 | 365 | 281 | 0.22
(undrafted) | 1115 | 471 | 225 | 229 | 17 | 491 | 235 | 0.21
(undrafted) | 1159 | 568 | 272 | 276 | 20 | 508 | 243 | 0.21
McCRIMMON, BRAD | 1252 | 403 | 307 | 69 | 26 | 332 | 253 | 0.20
SVOBODA, PETR | 1077 | 402 | 232 | 162 | 8 | 364 | 210 | 0.20
(undrafted) | 1101 | 528 | 221 | 293 | 14 | 477 | 200 | 0.18
(undrafted) | 1487 | 537 | 267 | 252 | 18 | 521 | 259 | 0.17
As you can see, many defensemen with similar career point totals, drafted and undrafted, were simply not the offensive producer that Russell was at even strength. This also demonstrates that Russell was an offensive producer at even strength in the neighbourhood of Scott Stevens, Carol Vadnais, Craig Hartsburg, Serge Savard, Al Iafrate, Chris Chelios, Eric Desjardins, Kevin Hatcher, Gary Suter, Mathieu Schneider, Randy Carlyle, and Chris Pronger.
