30ranfordfan
Verified Trader,
The second part of my all time Oilers collections. This took longer to finish than I wanted, and doesn't include quite as many seasons as I planned for the 2nd post, but it will do for now. Still lots more to come.
If you didn't see my first post, you can still see the complete thread here:
http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=427601
That's my collection of players from the Oilers 1979-80 team.
Blow are seasons 2,3,4 in (NHL) team history (80-81 through 82-83). I'll give another explanation of how I "team collect":
For anyone to have ever played for the Oilers, I collect one each of the following cards: A rookie card, An autographed card, a game used card, a card picturing him as an Oiler. The fewer cards I can do that with, the better. Modern player have ARPs... if they were Oilers as rookies, I likely only have the one card. If you're from the 1980s: A rookie card isn't going to be signed or have a patch. That means I've got more cards of yours. I'm always looking for patch upgrades, and if I have any specific wants, it will be mentioned with the player. I've sorted all players by the season in which they made their Oilers debut:
1980-81
Glenn Anderson
Glenn Anderson was a 4th round pick (69th overall) by the Oilers in 1979 (making him the 2nd HOFer they drafted that year, to go along with Messier). Rather than joining the Oilers immediately, he opted to join the Canadian National Team, and played for Canada at the Lake Placid Olympics in 1980. The Olympics, and a chance to win a gold medal for his country, was likely a much bigger deal for Anderson in 1980 than most Canadians, he group up idolizing Soviet star Alexander Yakushev, rather than Canadian-born NHLers.
Anderson stared for the Oilers from 1980 through 1991: Playing in 828 games, and scoring 413 goals, to go along with 483 assists. He was a member of all five Stanley Cup winning Oilers teams, and is 4th in Career points (both regular season & playoffs) for the Oilers - behind fellow HOFers Gretzky, Messier, and Kurri.
Following the 90-91 season, Anderson would be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs (along with Grant Fuhr & Craig Berube) for Peter Ing, Luke Richardson, Scott Thornton, and Vincent Damphousse. Anderson played nearly 3 years with the Maple Leafs (where he recorded his 1,000th career point) before getting traded to the New York Rangers at the 1994 trade deadline for Mike Garnter. Anderson would join former Oiler teammates Messier, Lowe, Tikkanen, Graves, and MacTavish - to help the Rangers with their first Stanley Cup in 50 years.
Anderson then spent the 94-95 lockout playing (again) for the Canadian National Team - before joining the St. Louis Blues for the shortened NHL season. The following season would see him play for the National Team again, before signing with Vancouver. Anderson had to go through waivers before he ever played a game for the Canucks - and was claimed by the Oilers, where he played 17 games before being waived (again) and being claimed by St. Louis.
The 95-96 season marked Anderson's last in the NHL (he played in Europe for the 96-97 season). He retired with 1129 games played, 498 goals, and 1099 points. With 5 playoff overtime goals, he's got the 3rd most in NHL history, to go along with a total of 17 playoff GWG (5th most). His 214 career Playoff points are the 4th highest in NHL history.
A four time All Star, Anderson was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008, and had hist jersey #9 retired by the Oilers in 2009.
Pictured are a trio of cards: His 80-81 OPC Rookie Card, an autograph from 04-05 UD Legends Classic, and an ITG Franchises dual memorabilia card (featuring a piece of stick, and jersey).
I would like to replace that ITG card with both a jumbo patch, and a jumbo stick type cards (any manufacturer). I'm more focused on the GU aspect of the card - and wouldn't necessarily be looking for Auto/Patch (for example) but if an auto-patch card (must be vintage Oilers GU!) came along (with a hard signed auto) then I'd be looking to move out both the ITG & UD cards.
Tom Bladon
A stalwart on the Philadelphia blue line in the 1970s, Tom Bladon is certainly remembered more for being a Flyer than an Oiler. His heavy slapshot was a fixture on the Flyer's blue line from 72-73 (when he made his NHL debut) through the end of the 77-78 season, when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 1st round draft pick.
The Oilers signed Bladon for the 80-81 season, but he played only one game before being waived and claimed by the Winnipeg Jets. He played just 9 contests in the 'peg, before playing a couple more games in Detroit.
Bladon's career highlights: Winning the Stanley Cup with Philadelphia in 1974 & 1975, as well as being the ONLY defenseman in NHL history to record 8 points in a single game - doing it on December 11th, 1977, as part of an 11-1 thrashing of the Cleveland Barons.. He was "plus 10" on the night, which is still an NHL record
Pictured are Bladon's 74-75 OPC Rookie Card, an 04-05 ITG Franchises Autograph, and his 80-81 OPC card. It says "now with Oilers", after he signed a free agent contract with them - This is the closest to an actual Oilers card he'll ever get.
Curt Brackenbury
Never drafted, Curt Brackenbury played 265 games over 6 seasons in the WHA, primarily an enforcer - he racked up over 750 PIMs along the way.
Brackenbury was traded to the Quebec Nordiques mid way through the 1975-76 WHA season, and played there until the league merged into the NHL for the 79-80 season. He remained with the Nords for their first year in the NHL, but was claimed off waivers by the Oilers as the 1980-81 season was starting. He style of play, of course, remained the same: In 58 games that year, Brackenbury had 158 PIMs, to go along with 2 goals and 7 assists.
The 81-82 season saw Brackenbury spend most of the season in the minors (played another 14 for the Oilers). He was cut lose following the season, letting him sign on with the St. Louis Blues. The 82-83 season saw him play just 6 more NHL contests, along with time in the minors. Brackenbury retired following the 82-83 season.
Pictured are his 1979-80 OPC Rookie Card, and ITG Enforcers Autograph, and a Fleer Throwbacks GU Stick Card.
Paul Coffey
Paul Coffey was part of an exceptional 1980 Draft Class. Three of the first six picks went on to have Hall of Fame careers (Denis Savard & Larry Murphy being the other two). He was also the first of three All Stars picked by Edmonton that year (one other is also in the HOF) but I'll mention them later.
Simply put: Paul Coffey is one of the greatest offensive defensemen to ever play. His 138 points in 85-86 ranks second in single season scoring by a defenseman (Bobby Orr once had 139 points). He has two seasons with 40+ goals, making him one of just two defenseman to have ever scored 40+ (Orr did it once). His 48 goals in 85-86 remain the record for goals in a season, by a defenceman. When you look at the highest scoring seasons by a defensman, there are only two names that appear in the top 10 list: Bobby Orr & Paul Coffey, 5 times each.
The 1985 Playoffs saw Coffey set NHL records for most goals (12), assists (25), and points (37) by a defenseman in the post season.
He won three Stanley Cups with the Oilers, before a trade during the summer of '87 saw him go to Pittsburgh (along with Dave Hunter & Wayne Van Dorp) for a package of Dave Hannan, Chris Joseph, Moe Mantha and Craig Simpson.
Coffey won his 4th Stanley Cup as a member of the 1991 Penguins. He was traded to LA, where he almost won another in 1993.
Paul Coffey's was an All Star from 1982 thorugh 1986, and against from 1988 through 1994, plus '96 & '97. Yes, he skated in a whooping 14 All Star games, while being named either a 1st or 2nd team all star 8 time, and winning 3 Norris Trophies. He played on three Canada Cup teams, and is the only defenseman to be selected as a first team all star while playing for three different teams. He is 2nd in all time scoring by a defenceman (behind Ray Bourque) and currently sits 13th in all time league points. He was inducted into the hockey hall of fame in 2004.
Many people don't realize that Coffey played for 9 NHL teams: After the Kings, he was traded to the Red Wings, then to the Whalers (a brief stop), and then to the Flyers. The Flyers dealt him to the Blackhawks (I admit, I forget he played there), who traded him to the Hurricanes. He played his last NHL games in 00-01 with the Boston Bruins.
Picture are a trio of Coffey cards: His 80-81 OPC Rookie Card, a Cup Limited Logos Auto-Patch card, featuring a swatch of a Campbell Conference All Star jersey, and a Leaf Lumberkings stick card.
I would very much like to add a nice Oilers GU patch to my collection.
Gary Edwards
Drafted in the first round (6th overall) of 1968, Gary Edwards got his NHL start with the St. Louis Blues. Playing for a team where he was behind both Glenn Hall & Jacques Plante in the depth chart - it didn't afford him much opportunity to play in the NHL.
That changed when Edwards join the LA Kings for the 1971-72 season. He was regarded as one of the best backups in the league (playing behind Rogie Vachon) while in Los Angles from the 71-72 season, until his trade mid way through the 76-77 season to Cleveland.
The 1978-79 season saw Edwards join the Minnesota North Stars, who traded him to the Edmonton Oilers during the 80-81 season.
Edwards played in 15 games for the Oilers that season, before leaving as a free agent. He rejoined the Blues for the 81-82 season, and then the Pittsburgh Penguins later that year. He retired following the 81-82 season.
Pictured are Gary Edwards' 1971-72 OPC Rookie Card, and an ITG 1972 Autograph.
Matti Hagman
Matti Hagman was the first Finnish born & trained player to make the NHL, making his debut with the Boston Bruins in 1976 (who would have expected Don Cherry to be the coach that brought down that wall?). One of the few instances where the NHL & WHA actually dealt players between leagues: His contract was sold to the Quebec Nordiques in 1978. He averaged over a point per game with the Nords, but left for his native Finland after only one season.
After staring for two season with HIFK in the Finnish Elite League, Hagman game back to the NHL - when he signed a contract to play with the Edmonton Oilers in 1980-81. While a natural centre, the Oilers moved him to Left Wing, since the Centre positions on the top two lines were already occupied by a couple of future HOFers. Hagman played the 80-81 season (mostly) on a line with Mark Messier & Glenn Anderson, scoring 20 goals & 53 points. He topped those totals the following year, with 21 goals & 59 points, but those would be his last in the NHL. He returned home where he went back to star for HIFK, a team that would later retire his jersey.
Hagman was also a member of Team Finland at the 1976 Winter Olympics, and the '76, '81, and '87 Canada Cups. He led the Finnish League in scoring in four times, and is a member of the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame. His son, Niklas, would later join the NHL too.
Pictured are Hagman's 1981-82 OPC Rookie Card, and his 2004-05 Upper Deck All World Edition Autograph.
Charlie Huddy
Another member of the "5 Cups" club, Charlie Huddy was a stalwart on the Oilers Blue Line throughout the dynasty era.
Undrafted out of Junior, where Huddy starred withe Oshawa, he signed with the Oilers prior to the 79-80 season, and spent the year playing for the Houston Apollos in the CHL. The following season, Huddy made his NHL debut playing in 12 contests during the 80-81 season, but still spending the bulk of the year in the CHL, with the Wichita Wind.
Charlie stuck the the roster for the 81-82 season, but wasn't an every day player until the 82-83 season - when he would be the inaugural recipient of the NHL's plus/minus award. He played for the Oilers through the 1990-91 season, when he left to join Wayne Gretzky in Los Angeles.
He was a member of Team Canada at the 1984 Canada Cup, and as well as the Oilers & Kings - his NHL career included stops in Buffalo & St. Louis. His 694 Games Plays (as an Oiler) ranks 10th in team history.
Pictured are Huddy's 1983-84 OPC Rookie Card, and his ITG Franchises Autograph.
John Hughes
John Hughes was drafted in 1974 by both the WHA and NHL after a standout junior career with the Toronto Marlboroughs of the OHA, opting to go the WHA route instead of the NHL - where he'd debut for the Phoenix Road Runners in 1974-75. He had quite the tour in the WHA, playing for 5 teams in 6 years, including the Houston Areos, Edmonton Oilers, Indianapolis Racers, and the Cincinnati Stingers.
Edmonton was Hughes' final WHA stop, but was reclaimed by Vancouver (who had drafted him in 1974) during the '79 WHA Expansion draft. He played that one season in Vancouver, before rejoining the Oilers for the 80-81 season as a free agent.
His Oilers career did not last long. He spent much of the season in the minors, playing only 12 games for the Oilers in 80-81, before being traded to the New York Rangers midway through the season (though only spent time with their AHL affiliate). After one more season in the minors, Hughes retired following the 81-82 season.
Pictured are his 1975-76 OPC WHA Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 76-77 OPC WHA.
Pat Hughes
Pat Hughes isn't one of the huge names you often hear associated with the 80's powerhouse that was the Oilers - IMO he's actually one of the more overlooked players from that era.
Hughes was drafted in 1975, by both the Calgary Cowboys (WHA) and Montreal Canadiens (NHL). He opted to sign with the Habs, and after spending a couple of years in the minor leagues - he joined them for his first taste of NHL action in the 1977-78 season. He would be described as a part time player with the Habs in 78-79 (41 games in the regular season, 8 more in the playoffs) when he won his first Stanley Cup.
Prior to the 79-80 season, Montreal dealt him to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He spent most of the next two seasons as a regular in the Penguins lineup - but was dealt to the Oilers in March of 1981, for Pat Price.
He only played two games for the Oilers in 80-81, but Hughes would be a fixture in their lineup over the next 4 seasons - scoring 88 goals & 171 points in those four years combined, and also chipping in 5 goals & 22 points (total) in the playoffs. Pat was a member of the Stanley Cup winning teams in both 1984 & 1985.
His time with the Oilers came to an end prior to the start of the 85-86 season, when a three way trade between the Oilers, Penguins, and Sabres had Hughes going to Buffalo, and the Oilers getting Mike Moller in return.
He split the 85-86 season between Buffalo, and their AHL team in Rochester - and was then claimed on Waivers prior to the 86-87 season, by the St. Louis Blues. He would be traded to the Whalers later that year, and retired following the 86-87 season.
Pictures are his 1979-80 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of the 1983-83 OPC.
Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri is probably the best player the Oilers ever took with the 69th overall pick, when they did so in 1980 (3rd round of the draft). That's saying something, because they were only one year removed from taking fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson with the 69th pick in 1979!
Part of a second straight, unbelievably strong, draft class for the Oilers in 1980 (along with Paul Coffey & Andy Moog) Kurri made his debut with the Oilers 1980-81, and his impact was immediate.He scored 32 goals & 75 points as a rookie in 80-81, and those would be his lowest totals during his entire 10 year tenure in Edmonton.
After winning his 5th Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1990, Kurri's time in Edmonton ended. In the 10 regular seasons he logged totals that put him near the top of the Oilers' career leader board in many categories: 754 games (7th), 474 goals (2nd), 569 assists (3rd), 1043 points (2nd), 60 Game Winners (3rd).
After the 89-90 season, he held out for a new contract - and spent the 1990-91 year playing in Italy. The Oilers eventually dealt him (along with Dave Brown & Corey Foster) to the Philadelphia Flyers, for Scott Melenby, Craig Berube, and Craig Fischer. The Flyers would immediatly deal him to the LA Kings, where he'd be reunited with Wayne Gretzky, for a package including Steve Duchesne. After 5 seasons with the Kings, Kurri was dealt to the New York Rangers. He played only one season in the big apple, before moving back west and player a season for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, then one final one with the Colorado Avalanche.
He retired with 106 Playoff Goals, and 233 Playoff Points. Both numbers are good for 3rd on the all time list. He is a 9 time all star (7 times with the Oilers), lead the NHL in goals in 1986, won the Lady Byng in 1985, and was either a first or second team all star on five occasions. His 1398 Regular Season points is good for 21st all time, and his 601 goals ranks 20th. In addition to this 5 Stanley Cups, Kurri won team hardware internationally, with Finland, too: Bronze at both the 1991 Canada Cup & 1998 Olympics, and Silver at the 1994 World Championships & 1980 World Junior Championships.
Jari Kurri was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and had his jersey retired by the Oilers, in 2001.
Pictured are his 1980-81 OPC Rookie Card, a Signature Patches from 06-07 The Cup, and an ITG Stickwork card.
Garry Lariviere
Garry Lariviere was drafted by both the NHL's Buffalo Sabres (83rd) and WHA's Chicago Cougars (39th) in the two league's respected 1974 Entry Drafts. His WHA rights ended up being moved to the Phoenix Roadrunners, where he would sign, and he made his professional debut in Phoenix in the 1974-75 season.
Lariviere spent most of that first pro season with Tulsa, playing just 4 games for Phoenix, but was a regular in their lineup the following season, and in the 76-77 season, until he was traded to the Quebec Nordiques, where he'd play until the WHA merger in 1979. He was one of Quebec's three priority selections in the 1979 Expansion draft, denying Buffalo their chance to reclaim their former draft pick.
Garry continued to patrol the blue line for the Nords for most of their first two seasons in the NHL, but was part of a three team deal on March 8th of 1981, that saw him wind up with the Edmonton Oilers. He finsihed the 80-81 season with Edmonton, and was a regular in their lineup for the 81-82 season. He played only 17 games with the Oilers in 82-83, and left the NHL following that season. He played three more years with St. Catherines in the AHL, spending the last two of those in the position of player / assistant coach (something that's virtually unheard of today).
Pictured are his 77-78 OPC WHA Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 81-82 OPC, showing he was now a member of the Oilers.
Pete LoPresti
Peter LoPresti was drafted in 1974, both by the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL & the Houston Areos of the WHA. He opted to sign with his NHL club, and would play 186 games for Minnesota from the 74-75 season, through 77-78. Prior to the 1978-79, he lost his starting job to Gillies Meloche, and only played in 7 contests that year.
Now relegated to backup duties, LoPresti was left exposed by the North Stars in the 1979 Expansion Draft - where he became the Oilers 6th pick.
When LoPresti failed to make the Oilers team out of camp in the 79-80 season, he retired. He took that year off, but was invited back to Oilers training camp in 1980. This go round with Edmonton proved a little more successful, and he played in 2 games for the Oilers in 80-81, spending the rest of the season with the Wichita wind.
Pete LoPresti retired for good, following the 80-81 season.
Pictured are his 1976-77 OPC Rookie Card, an ITG Between The Pipes Autograph.
Andy Moog
Andy Moog was drafted in the 7th round (132nd overall) in the 1980 entry draft: Combining with Paul Coffey & Jari Kurri to make the second of two draft classes that really jump started the Oilers dynasty.
Moog made his NHL debut during the 80-81 season, while spending most the year in the minors with Wichita. Eddie Mio & Ron Low did the bulk of the work that year - but injuries to both late in the year gave Moog the opportunity for a call up, and he excelled. After going 3-3 in 7 regular season games, Moog was the starter for the playoffs - and backstopped the Oilers to a 3 game sweep of the Montreal Canadiens - before eventually losing 4 games to 2, against the New York Islanders.
The expectation was the Moog would be the Oilers netminder the following year, but a 19 year old Grant Fuhr came in and took the job. Moog wound up spending most the 81-82 season in the minors as well - playing in only 8 regular season games.
1982-83 would be when Moog finally got his big break. He played in 50 games for the Oilers that season, posting a 33-8-7 record, and was the #1 goalie in the playoffs, helping Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup finals for the first time, where they'd lose (again) to the New York Islanders. Fuhr took over as the #1 for the 83-84 season, but an injury during the SCF meant that Moog got his rematch against the Islanders, and he helped lead the Oilers to their first of 5 Stanley Cup victories.
After 7 seasons, 4 finals appearances, 3 Stanley Cups, 2 All Star Appearances, 143 Regular Season Wins, and 23 Playoff Wins, And Moog decided he was done with the Oilers. He was too good to keep playing #2 to the (eventual) Hall of Famer Fuhr. After walking away from the Oilers and joining the Canadian National Team in 87-88 (playing @ the Calgary Olympics) and a near trade to Pittsburgh - Moog was dealt to Boston for Geoff Courtnall & Bill Ranford.
Moog would get one more crack at the Stanley Cup, facing off against Bill Ranford & the Oilers in 1990 - when the Oilers won the series 4 games to 1.
Boston would later deal Moog to Dallas, in exchange for Jon Casey. After Ed Belfour supplanted an again Moog as the #1 in Dallas, he played one final season in Montreal, before retiring after the 97-98 season.
Moog is the second-fastest goaltender to reach the 300 win mark, doing so in his 543rd game. He is second only to Jacques Plante (526). He was 5th goaltender to get 360 & 370 wins. Moog also has best the winning percentage of any goaltender not in the Hockey Hall of Fame .580 tied with Chris Osgood.
Pictured are Moog's 80-81 OPC Rookie Card, an ITG Decades 1980s Autograph, and an ITG Between The Pipes Jersey card. If anyone is aware of Oilers GU cards that were made of Moog, please let me know - but I don't think they actually exist.
Tom Roulston
Tom Roulston was another player drafted by both the WHA (1977, 29th, by the Quebec Nordiques) and the NHL (1977, 45th, by the St. Louis Blues). He opted for the NHL, but was never able to crack the Blues' roster - he only ever played with their minor league affiliates.
After getting traded to the Oilers, Roulston made his NHL debut in 1980-81 - scoring a goal in his 11 games played. He would go to play 127 games for the Oilers (plus 21 playoff games) through the 1983-84 season, when the Oilers dealt him to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Roulston played the rest of the 83-84 season with the Penguins, but spent the bulk of the next two years playing in the AHL - only getting into 5 more NHL contests. Following the 1985-86 season, he went to play in Europe for the next three years, retiring after his year long stint in Davos in 1988-89.
After four years away from the game, Roulston came out of retirement to play for the Wichita Thunder (CHL) in 1994-95. He retired for good after the 94-95 season.
Pictured are two copies of Roulston's 1982-83 OPC Rookie Card: One like it came from the pack, and a second that's been signed.
Roy Sommer
Roy Sommer was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, in the 6th round, of the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. He never got to play in Toronto - but he went on to have a 13 year pro career, mostly in the minors.
Sommer's stops included Saginaw, Dayton, Wichita, Maine, Indianapolis, and and Muskegon. He was called up by the Oilers for three games during the 1980-81 season, scoring a goal & logging 7 minutes in penalties. He retired as a player after the 1986-87 season, but his time in the world of professional hockey had really just begun.
Sommer joined the IHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks (the team he'd just retired from) as an assistant coach for the 87-88 season. In 1991, he got his first head coaching gig in the ECHL, where he was with Roanoke Valley for one year, and then Richmond Renegades for four.
The 1996-97 season saw Sommer get hired by the San Jose Sharks, where he was an assistant for two seasons. Following the 97-98 season, Sommor took a new job in the Sharks' organization, as head coach of their AHL affiliate in Kentucky. Since the 1998-99 season, the Sharks have moved their AHL affiliation from Kentucky (Thoroughblades) to Cleveland (Barons), then to Worcester Sharks), and for the last three season, to San Jose (Barracuda) - during than entire 20 year span, Sommer has been the head coach. He holds the record for longest tenured coach with one team in AHL history, and is the winningest coach in AHL history. He passed Bun Cooks' Mark of 636 back in February of 2016, and became the first AHL coach to reach 700 wins in December of 2017. He's entering his 21st season as the Sharks AHL coach, fresh off an AHL coach-of-the-year award. It's likely just a question of "when?" not "if?" he reached 800.
Pictured are two copies of Sommor's 1992-93 Richmond Renegades coaching card. There are no cards of him as a player (other than the oversized Oilers Anniversary program inserts) so this is the closest thing to a "Rookie Card" that exists for him. The signed copy, he was kind enough to sign TTM for me a few years ago, when the Sharks' AHL club was still in Worcester.
Gary Unger
Gary Unger broke into the NHL as a teenager, with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1967-68. He was traded to the Detroit Red Wings before the season's end, in a massive 4-for-4 deal, the likes of which you'd never see today: Toronto traded Unger, Carl Brewer, Frank Mahovlich and Pete Stemkowski to Detroit for Doug Barrie, Paul Henderson, Floyd Smith and Norm Ullman.
Unger had only been a part time player with the Leafs, but he was an intimidate regular with the Red Wings. From the 1968-69 season, through his tenure as a member of the St. Louis Blues (was a Blue up until the end of the 1978-79 season) Unger didn't miss a single game. In fact, during the 70-71 season he played 79 games despite there being just a 78 game schedule - his mid-season trade to St. Louis (for Team Captain "Red" Berenson) gave him an extra game in the schedule.
Unger's Iron man streak ended at 914 games, while a member of the Atlanta Flames in 1979-80. Unger had suggered a separated shoulder, and after playing just a few shifts through four games (he could barely lift his arm) Flames coach Al McNeil decided to bench Unger during a game in St. Louis, against the team that 622 of the 914 games were played for. It wound up being the only game Unger missed that season. His streak was an NHL record at the time, but was later broken by Doug Jarvis (964 games) but remains the second longer Iron Man streak in NHL history.
Unger left the Flames and joined the LA Kings for the 1980-81 season, before getting traded to Edmonton (for "Future Considers) part way through the year. Unger spent the next two and a half seasons in & out of the Oilers lineup: Logging a total of 75 games, scoring 9 goals & 13 assists. His 13 games with the Oilers in 82-83 were his last in the NHL, but he did play a couple of seasons in the minors before retiring.
Unger also represented Canada at both the 1978 & 1979 World Championships.
Pictured are his 1968-69 OPC Rookie Card, an 06-07 Parkhurst Autograph, an 11-12 ITG Canada vs The World Jersey card, and an 82-83 OPC card showing him as a member of the Oilers.
1981-82
Ken Berry
The Vancouver Canucks made Ken Berry the 112th overall pick in the 1980. Before ever playing a game for the Cancuks, he was dealt to the Oilers in a two-for-two swap, in March of 1981. He and Garry Lariviere join the Oilers organization, in exchange for Blair MacDonald & Lars-Gunnar Pettersson.
Berry spent most of his time with the Oilers as a minor league player (CHL, AHL) - but he suited up for 15 games in the 81-82 season, and other 13 in 83-84: Scoring 2 goals and adding 3 assists in each of those two stints.
He played on the Canadian Olympic team in both the 1980 & 1988 Winter Games (Lake Placid, Calgary). Following the Calgary games in 1988, he signed on with the team that originally drafted him - the Vancouver Canucks. He played another 27 NHL contests over the rest of the 87-88 season, and the 88-89 campaign, but spent most the 88-89 season in the AHL. For the 89-90 he signed to played in Germany, where he played another four seasons before retiring.
Pictured are a signed custom card I picked up in a deal years ago, along with 84-85 Nova Scotia Oilers card. That was his first minor league, and a nice substitute for an actual Rookie Card.
Laurie Boschman
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Laurie Boschman 9th overall in the 1979 Entry Draft, and he cracked their lineup immediately - and played in 80 games as a rookie in the 79-80 season. The Leafs dealt him the Oilers late in the 81-82 season, for a pair of players: Phil Drouillard and Walt Poddubny.
Boschman only lasted (about) a year in Edmonton. He played 11 games to finsih the 81-82 season, and 62 more in the 82-83 season, but he was then dealt to the Winnipeg Jets for Willy Lindstrom. In those 73 games he tallied 10 goals, 25 points, and 220 PIMs.
Boschman went on to play 8 seasons in Winnipeg, before 2 in New Jersey, and finally (after being picked in the expansion draft) 1 in Ottawa - where he was Team Captain for the 1992-93 season (first in the club's history).
He logged over 1,000 NHL games before retiring at the end of the 92-93 season. He briefly came out of retirement for the 94-95 season - playing 7 games for the Fife Flyers (British Hockey League).
Grant Fuhr
When your franchise's first ever two 1st round picks turned out to be the franchise leader in games played (Kevin Lowe) and arguably one of the ten greatest defenceman ever (Paul Coffey) how does a team follow that up on their third try in the first round? How about yet another Hockey Hall of Famer, from the Oilers Dynasty era: Goalie Grant Fuhr.
Fuhr was taken with the 8th pick in the 1st round of the 1981 entry draft. after a standout junior career with the Victoria Cougars. He made the club during his first training camp, and played in 48 games in the 81-82 season (with a record of 28-5-14). He would go on to be the main goalie for the Oilers during their incredible run throughout the 1980s, despite having another allstar (Andy Moog) on the team with him. The luxury of two all star goalies meant the Oilers had options when one was hurt (like Fuhr was during the '85 finals) but Fuhr was cemented as the #1 option, basically from the time he arrived in Edmonton.
He won 226 games as an Oiler (vs only 117 loses). His win totals are a team best. He was a 6 time all star while with the Oilers, and won the Vezina Trophy in 1988. He is one of just a few members of the team to have been a part of all five Stanley Cup wins, though he was relegated to backup for the fifth. After having missed most the year, Bill Ranford had usurped him as the Oilers #1 goalie - and eventual Conn Smythe winner.
Following the 1990 Cup win, and Fuhr's status as #1 no longer a thing, but he remained with the team. The Oilers weren't going to give him away - and held out before trading him after the 90-91 season had already started. He was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with fellow Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson, and Craig Berube, for a package of Vinny Damphousee, Peter Ing, Luke Richardson, Scott Thornton, future considerations, and cash.
Fuhr's career continued in Toronto, but after a couple of seasons he was displaced as the #1 again by a younger goalie - this time Felix Potvin. The Leafs dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres, who would eventually replace him with Dominik Hasek and deal him to the Los Angles Kings, where he'd be reunited with Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, and Marty McSorley - but this group of ex-Oilers never had the success that the (larger) group did with the New York Rangers. He left LA after a single season, and signed with the St. Louis Blues (a move that made Curtis Joseph expendable, and he was dealt to the Oilers as a result - creating another whole weird circle of player moves involving Fuhr & the Oilers). The Blues wound up dealing Fuhr to the Calgary Flames, where he finished his career in in the 1999-00 season: Ironically a teammate, in Calgary, with Steve Smith... the one-time Oilers defender who put a puck off of Fuhr's skate, and in the Oilers' net, costing them Game 7 vs the Flames in 1986
Fuhr retired with 403 wins, one of just 13 goalies to break the 400 win mark. In the 1995-96 season (with St. Louis), he set an NHL record by playing in 76 straight games (in one season) as well as a record 79 games (total) in one season. He represented Canada as a member of the 1984 & 1987 gold medal winning Canada Cup teams, as well as the silver medal winning 1989 World Championship team. After retiring he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003, and has his jersey #31 retired by the Oilers that same year.
Pictured are a trio of cards for Fuhr: An ITG Decades 1980s Number card (great patch on it), an Upper Deck Black Game Night Ticket autograph, and his 1982-83 OPC Rookie Card. Side note: Fuhr is probably the player of whom I have the 2nd most cards of in my collection, as he's been pair with Bill Ranford on a whooping 79 different cards (if you include all of the parallels). I own 44 of those, most of the missing ones are either 1/1 parallels, or recent year Leaf stuff I wasn't really interested in.
Marc Habscheid
Marc Habscheid was another member of the Oilers 1981 draft class, taken 113th overall, in the 6th round. He was actually the team's #2 scorer in the 1981 preseason. He was able to crack the roster briefly during his first season as a pro, and scored a goal in his 7 games with the Oilers - but spent the year bouncing around to several stops: at various time the Oilers had him assigned to Saskatoon (WHL), Whichita (AHL), and Canada's World Junior Championship Team, where he helped Canada win gold.
The next three seasons saw Habscheid get time with the Oilers, but he also spent significant time in the minors. Those three seasons saw him play a combined 67 NHL games, while making stops in Kamloops (WHL), Moncton (AHL) and then Cape Breton (AHL as well. The Moncton Alpines relocated and become the Nova Scotia Oilers).
He had been a prolific scorer in Junior, but it wasn't translating to the same level of success in the NHL. Through a total of 74 NHL games (in 4 seasons) Habscheid popped 10 goals. In December of 1985 has was dealt to the Minnesota North Stars.
The next stop was Springfield in the AHL (Minnesota's affiliate) but he did play a few games for the North Stars that season. Habscheid spent big chunks of the next two seasons playing with Canada's National Team (including a spot in the 1988 Olympics) but still logged 15 & 16 NHL games in both 86-87 and 87-88.
It was 88-89 when he really hit his stride as an NHLer, playing in 76 games for the North Stars, and notched 23 goals & 54 points.
He left Minnesota after that, signing a three year deal in Detroit. He played the first two there as a regular on the roster, but not always in the lineup. Detroit would later trade him to Calagary where he played the 1991-92 season, his last in the NHL.
Habscheid has gone on to become a very successfull coach, having spend 14 years coaching the WHL, including a Memorial Cup win in 2003-04 with the Kelowna Rockets. He also had a brief stint (in 06-07) as an associate coach with the Boston Bruins.
Pictured are a signed copy of his 1984-85 Nova Scotia Oilers, and his 89-90 OPC Rookie Card.
Don Jackson
Like many others of his era, Don Jackson was drafted by team in the WHA (Calgary Cowboys) and NHL (Minnesota North Stars) in 1976. Instead of turning pro right away, he'd finish his four years at Notre Dame, and the defenceman signed to play with the North Stars. He spent four seasons in Minnesota' organization, each season earning a call up, but spent most of his time with Oklahoma City in the CHL.
The summer of 1981 brought change for Jackson, as he was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers (along with a draft pick) for Don Murdoch. The 81-82 season would see him play 8 games for the Oilers, while he logged the bulk of his time with the Wichita Wind. It was the 82-83 season when he really caught on with the Oilers: logging 71 NHL games, more than he had in the five previous seasons combined.
Jackson would continue to be a regular in the Oilers lineup for the next three years, winning two Stanley Cups with the club. He was part of a seven player deal with the New York Rangers, just before the start of the 86-87 season. He'd play another 22 games for the Rangers that year, before retiring from hockey.
Jackson would go on to have a lengthy coaching career. After several years in the minors he was an assistant coach with the Penguins, Blackhawks, and Senators in the NHL. He's been a head coach in Germany since the 2005-06 season.
Pictured are his 1983-84 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 83-84 Vachon.
Lindsay Middelbrook
Lindsay Middelbrook was a standout goalie at St. Louis University, being named to the CCHA first all-star team in 1975. He translated his collegiate success into a contract with the New York Rangers - signing in the big apple in 1977.
He never got to play for the Rangers. After leading the AHL in wins during the 78-79 season, he was left exposed for the 1979 expansion draft, and claimed by the Winnipeg Jets. Over the next two seasons he would play 24 games in Winnipeg, while also being named to the second all-star team in the CHL, as they Jets primarily had him assigned to Tulsa.
Middelbrook was traded to Minnisota following the 80-81 season, but spent most of 81-82 in the minors. The North Stars did call him up for a bit, where he played another three NHL games.
The following summer, he'd sign with the New Jersey Devils - but still didn't see a lot of action. He played 9 games for the club before being dealt to Edmonton, as part of a two player package for Ron Low. He spent the balance of the 82-83 season, along with all of 83-84, in Edmonton system - but that single game with the Oilers was the last NHL action he'd see. After two more pro seasons in the IHL, and one in the AAHL, Middelbrook retired following the 1986-87 season.
Picture is a custom 'cut' signature card, created by @DnJcards
Lance Nethery
A graduate of Cornell, Lance Nethery was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 8th round (131st overall) in the 1977 NHL entry draft. A prolific goal scorer in both College & the Minors, Nethery made his NHL debut with the Rangers in 1980-81.
11 goals, and 23 points, in 33 games for the Rangers his rookie year, Nethery played only 5 games for the Rangers in 81-82, before he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in December. The Rangers needed goaltending, and Ed Mio was available.
Nethery wound up spending most of the season with the Oilers' farm club in Wichita, playing in just 3 contests for the big club, recording a pair of assists.
The 82-83 would see him leave North America, and play in Germany - scoring a whooping 71 goals in 46 games. He would later join Davos in the Swiss Elite league, where he lead the team to back-to-back league titles in '87 and '88, before retiring from hockey.
Since the 1990-91 season, Nethery has carved out a great career, with multiple championships, as a coach & executive in Germany.
Pictured are a cut signature card (created by @DnJcards) and his 1999-00 coaching card, from the German DEL set, when he was coaching Kölner Haie.
Another want: I'd really like to land a copy of his actual "coaching rookie card": From the 1994-95 DEL set.
Walt Poddunby
Walt Poddunby was drafted 90th overall by the Oilers in the 1980 Entry Draft, however he'd play only 4 games for the Orange & Blue: After spending most of his first two pro seasons in the minors, Poddunby did play for the Oilers in 1981-82, but he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the NHL's trade dealine, in a deal that landed the Oilers Laurie Boschman.
That ended up doing pretty well for Walt's career. He finished the 81-82 season with the Leafs, and then played in 72 games for them the following year, popping 28 goals. He didn't stick on the roster, however, and spent chunks for the next couple of seasons in the minors - while still getting some opportunity to skate in the NHL.
The Leafs would later trade him to the New York Rangers, in the summer of '86. The trade, in exchange for Mike Allison, is regarded as the best trade Phil Esposito made during his time as Ranger GM. Poddunby scored 40 goals in 86-87, and 38 more in 87-88. The Rangers moved him to Quebec after that, where he spent one year and scored another 38 goals. Bad knees meant he played limited games for three seasons after that, in New Jersey, before spending a couple of years in Europe & the AHL before retirement after the 94-95 season.
After his playing days were done, Poddunby got into coaching - most notably with the Anchorage Aces of the ECHL
Sadly, Walt passed away in 2009, the result of a heart attack.
Pictured are Poddunby's 1983-84 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 84-85 OPC.
Todd Strueby
Todd Strueby was taken in the 2nd round, 29th overall, of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. The junior scoring star tallied nearly a goal-per-game in the WHL during the 81-82 season (60 goals, 61 games) and played in three for the Oilers that year. He played a single game for the Oilers in the 82-83 season, and continued to set the WHL on fire with the Saskatoon Blades. Unfortunately he was never able to turn his junior success into NHL success: He played his final NHL game in 1983-84, finishing with 5 games, and 1 assist, for the Oilers.
Strueby did have a nice career in the minors. First in Nova Scotia for a couple of seasons with the Oilers farm club, and then in the IHL, finally playing in Europe. During the 88, 89, 90, and 92 seasons: Strubey also starred for the Canadian National team.
He retired from hockey following the 92-93 season, and eventually found his way into a distinguished career in law enforcement.
Strueby never had any NHL cards, so he has no real rookie card to speak of. Pictured are his 91-92 IHL card (his first and only non-team issued card), his 84-85 Nova Scotia Oilers card, and a signed copy of his 90-91 Team Canada card. He was kind enough to sign it for me TTM.
1982-83
John Blum
John Blum was a star defenceman for Notre Dame High School in Michigan. While he would ultimately go on to play in the NHL, one of his teammates grew up to be far more famous, without professional sports: Uncle Joey! (Comedian / Actor Dave Coulier).
After high school, Blum went on to play in the NCAA with the University of Michigan Wolverines. Four years in the USA's top college circuit didn't get him drafted, but he signed with the Edmonton Oilers as an undrafted free agent in the spring of 1981. He's spend most of the next two years in Moncton, Edmonton's AHL affiliate, but did skate for 5 games with the Oilers in 82-83, and 4 more in 83-84.
At the 1984 trade deadline, Blum was dealt to the Boston Bruins. He immediately became a regular in the lineup, playing the rest of the season in Boston, a full NHL season in 84-85, and only had a brief stint in the minors during 85-86, playing most of the season with the Bruins.
He was claimed by the Washington Capitals on waivers, as the 86-87 season was starting. He was an NHL regular in Washington, before being traded back to Boston for the 87-88 season. That year saw him spend more time in the minors than the NHL, which would be the case again the following two seasons (first with Detroit, then Boston again). He played out a couple more seasons in the minors, before retiring at the end of 94-95 season.
Blum logged 250 NHL games in his career, and racked up 610 PIMs (along with 7 goals, and 41 points).
John Blum never had a real "Rookie Card" - so What you see pictured are his first "major" minor league card: 88-89 Pro Cards IHL, and a signed copy of his 1991-92 Michigan Wolverines alumni set.
Randy Gregg
Randy Gregg took a very unusual path to the NHL. He was undrafted, which isn't that uncommon in an of itself. He played CIAU hockey (Canadian University) which is rare - but certainly not unheard of. He was more focused on earning his medical degree (which he did) than developing as a hockey player, which is exceptional - considering he ended up with a 10 year NHL career.
He was among the top players in the CIAU (was player of the year in 1979, and captained the University of Alberta to two championships - so it was natural that he'd get an NHL offer. He did, from the New York Rangers, and he turned it down.
Instead of signing with the Rangers, he opted to play for (and Captain) the Canadian National team at the 1980 Winter Olympics, and played two seasons in Japan, as a player-coach.
How many active NHLers have held medical degrees? How many undrafted hockey players turn down NHL contracts? How many NHLers had Japan as the stop in their career immediately before signing in the league? That's what happened next to Doctor Randy Gregg!
After those two seasons abroad, he signed with his home-town Edmonton Oilers, in time to play four games in the 1982 playoffs. He'd come back the following season as a regular in the Oilers lineup. He would be a big part of their blueline, and had what would be his career best season in 83-84: Gregg put up 13 goals, 40 points, and helped Edmonton win it's first Stanley Cup. He would play for Canada in the 1984 Canada Cup as well.
Greg & the Oilers picked up right where they left off in 84-85, setting the league on fire again, and winning their second straight Stanley Cup. The 85-86 would end in disappointment though: The Oilers lost in the first round of the playoffs. That disappointment, combined with Gregg's desire to become a practicing doctor, lead to his retirement from professional hockey.
Of course he couldn't stay away. He retirement lasted only six weeks into the 86-87, before he came back with the Oilers and helped his club win it's third Stanley Cup in four years. Retirement #2 was around the corner, as he (once again) walked away from professional hockey to pursue his medical career. He would residency program in orthopedic surgery, and then represent Canada a third time at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Following his tour with the Canadian National Team, Gregg would come back to the NHL once again, with the Oilers, and help the club win it's fourth Stanley Cup in five years!
Gregg played two more years with the Oilers, and was part of their fifth Stanley Cup in 1990. He's one of only seven players to have been on all five winning clubs. Following the 1990 Cup win, Gregg was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks on waivers. Rather than play the 90-91 season, Gregg opted for retirement. He would later sign with the Canucks, and play the 1991-92 season, before retiring for the fourth, and final time!
Doctor Randy Gregg ended up logging 474 NHL games, represent Canada three times, won five Stanley Cups, and had three mini-retirements before retiring from hockey for good.
The Dr. Randy Gregg Award is presented annually by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) to reward excellence in the student-athlete. The Canadian University ice hockey player who receives this award has exhibited outstanding achievement in ice hockey, academics, and community involvement.
Pictured are Gregg's 1983-84 OPC Rookie Card, an ITG Franchises Autograph, and a Leaf Lumberkings Game Used Stick Card!
Willy Lindstrom
In the history of hockey, there is only one man to have been teammates of Bobby Hull, Wayne Gretzky, and Mario Lemieux. That man's name? Willy Lindstrom! (Of course it is, that's why you're reading this section).
Lindstrom signed as a free agent with the Winnipeg Jets in the WHA, making his North American pro debut in the 75-76 season. He was a top 6 forward with the Jets for the final four seasons of the WHA, winning two Avco Cups, and playing in the 1977 QHA all star game.
Willy migrated to the NHL with the Jets during the 79-80 merger. He wasn't part of the expansion / dispersal process, as he'd never been drafted by an NHL club, so nobody else held claim to his NHL rights.
He broke the 20 goal mark in each of his first three NHL seasons with Winnipeg, including 32 in 1981-82. After scoring 20 goals in 63 games for the Jets in 82-83, he was dealt to Edmonton on March 7th of '83.
Lindstrom paid off right away, popping 6 goals in 10 games for the Oilers before the end of the season, and adding another pair of goals (with 11 assists) in the playoffs, as the Oilers made their first run to the finals (losing to the Islanders).
Lindstrom would be back the following season: His 22 Regular Season goals, and 5 in the playoffs, helped Edmonton with their first of 5 Stanley Cups. While his regular season scoring dropped the following year (only 12) he maintained his playoff pace, notching another 5, as the Oilers & Lindstrom won their second Stanley Cup in as many years.
He signed on with the Pittsburgh Penguins following the '85 playoffs, where he'd play the final two years of his NHL career, before heading back to Sweden for three more seasons. He retired a 4-time champ in North America (two Avoc Cups, two Stanley Cups) with 284 goals, and an even 300 assists, in the 898 games he played between both leagues.
Pictured are Lindstrom's 77-78 OPC WHA Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 84-85 OPC.
Ken Linseman
Drafted by the Birmingham Bulls in the 10th round of the 1977 WHA draft, Ken "The Rat" Linseman made his professional debut in the WHA for the 1977-78 season, as a teenager, and put up impressive totals: 38 goals & 38 assists. That offseason he was drafted in the first round, 7th overall, of the NHL Entry Draft, by the Philadelphia Flyers. Linseman would make his NHL debut in the 1978-79, playing 30 games for the Flyers, while also spending time in the minors.
The 79-80 season would be Linseman's coming out party as a bonafide NHLer. He played 80 games, scoring 22 times, and averaging nearly a point-per-game, racking up 79, to go along with his 107 PIMs. The 1981-82 season would end up being Kenny's (statistically) best: 24 goals, 92 points, and a whooping 275 PIMs. After 240 games as a Flyer - with 68 goals, 243 points, and 555 PIMs, he would end up being part of a three team swap. The Flyers sent Linseman, Greg Adams, and 1st & 3rd round picks to Hartford, in exchange for Mark Howe & a 3rd round pick. The Whalers would immediately flip Linseman to the Oilers for Brent Loney and Risto Siltanen.
The Rat's first season in Edmonton (82-83) saw him score a career high 33 goals, along with 75 points & 181 PIMs, in 72 games. He helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final - notching 6 goals in the playoffs, when the Oilers lost to the New York Islanders. His second season with Edmonton was less productive in the Regular season (just 18 goals, 67 points) but he scored 10 in 19 playoffs games in 1984, helping the Oilers win their first of five Stanley Cups.
Following the Cup win, Linseman was traded to the Boston Bruins for Mike Krushelnyski. He would go on to play five full seasons in Beantown, before the Bruins dealt him back to Philadelphia midway through the 89-90 season. He would re-join the Oilers for the 1990-91 season, and played in 56 games for them that year. The Oilers dealt him to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the eve of the 91-92 season: He played just two games for Toronto that year, and then a few more in Italy, before retiring.
Linseman truly earned his nickname - "The Rat" - and is considered to be on the best "pests" of all time. He retired as nearly a point-per-game player (807 points in 860 games). 256 goals, and 1727 PIMs, made him a threat in so many different ways.
Pictured are four cards of The Rat: His 1979-80 OPC Rookie Card, an 04-05 UD Legendary Signatures, an 11-12 Crown Royal Jersey card, and his 83-84 OPC, showing him as an Oiler.
Don Nachbaur
The 60th overall pick in the 1979 NHL draft, Don Nachbauer was picked but the Harford Whalers, where he made his NHL debut in 1980-81 season. He'd play a pair of seasons in Hartford, logging 77 games each time, before signing with the Edmonton Oilers for the 1982-83 season.
Nachbauer played in just four games for the Oilers, racking up 17 PIMs. He spent most the season with the Oilers' farm team, the Moncton Alpines.
He next moved to the Philadelphia organization, where he split the rest of the 1980s between the Flyeres, and their affiliate in Hershy. Nachbauer played another 4 seasons in Austria before retiring at the end of the 1993-94 season.
After his playing days were over, he made his way into the coaching ranks. He's coached junior (WHL, where he's been named coach of the year twice), Minor leagues (AHL), and is currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings.
Picture are two copies of 1981-82 OPC Rookie (one signed). Notice the UER! Also a copy of his only Oilers card, an Oilers 10th anniversary program insert.
Jaroslav Pouzar
Jaroslav Pouzar was the Oilers 4th round draft pick in 1982, taken 83rd overall. Most would agree that getting nearly 200 NHL games played out of a 4th round pick is a huge win, but since Pouzar was also the best pick the Oilers made in 1982, one would have to consider that draft a disappointment. The 4th NHL draft in team history, it was the first when Edmonton did not draft a future hall of famer.
Pouzar was 30 years old when the Oilers drafted him, so making the team in his first training camp shouldn't have come as a surprise. He was already a 2x Gold Medalist at the World Champsionship (1976 and 1977) having been part of a Czechoslovakian squad that meddled every year from 76-79, and again in 81 & 82. He was also a veteran of the last two Olympic games, having won a Silver medal with Czechoslovakia in 1976.
Jaroslav put up back-to-back seasons breaking the 10 G / 30 P barriers with Edmonton in 82-83 & 83-84. He was limited to only 33 games in 84-85, so he hit neither of those marks that season. After winning a pair of Stanley Cups with Edmonton in '84 & '85, but faced with a limited role on a star-studded team, he went back to Europe and played in Germany.
Pouzar then rejoined the Oilers during the 86-87 season, and was on board to win his third Cup with the team. He'd be done with the NHL for good after the '87 playoffs, but continued to star in Germany until he retired following the 1991-92 season.
Pictured are Pouzar's 83-84 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 83-84 Vachon.
If you didn't see my first post, you can still see the complete thread here:
http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=427601
That's my collection of players from the Oilers 1979-80 team.
Blow are seasons 2,3,4 in (NHL) team history (80-81 through 82-83). I'll give another explanation of how I "team collect":
For anyone to have ever played for the Oilers, I collect one each of the following cards: A rookie card, An autographed card, a game used card, a card picturing him as an Oiler. The fewer cards I can do that with, the better. Modern player have ARPs... if they were Oilers as rookies, I likely only have the one card. If you're from the 1980s: A rookie card isn't going to be signed or have a patch. That means I've got more cards of yours. I'm always looking for patch upgrades, and if I have any specific wants, it will be mentioned with the player. I've sorted all players by the season in which they made their Oilers debut:
1980-81
Glenn Anderson
Glenn Anderson was a 4th round pick (69th overall) by the Oilers in 1979 (making him the 2nd HOFer they drafted that year, to go along with Messier). Rather than joining the Oilers immediately, he opted to join the Canadian National Team, and played for Canada at the Lake Placid Olympics in 1980. The Olympics, and a chance to win a gold medal for his country, was likely a much bigger deal for Anderson in 1980 than most Canadians, he group up idolizing Soviet star Alexander Yakushev, rather than Canadian-born NHLers.
Anderson stared for the Oilers from 1980 through 1991: Playing in 828 games, and scoring 413 goals, to go along with 483 assists. He was a member of all five Stanley Cup winning Oilers teams, and is 4th in Career points (both regular season & playoffs) for the Oilers - behind fellow HOFers Gretzky, Messier, and Kurri.
Following the 90-91 season, Anderson would be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs (along with Grant Fuhr & Craig Berube) for Peter Ing, Luke Richardson, Scott Thornton, and Vincent Damphousse. Anderson played nearly 3 years with the Maple Leafs (where he recorded his 1,000th career point) before getting traded to the New York Rangers at the 1994 trade deadline for Mike Garnter. Anderson would join former Oiler teammates Messier, Lowe, Tikkanen, Graves, and MacTavish - to help the Rangers with their first Stanley Cup in 50 years.
Anderson then spent the 94-95 lockout playing (again) for the Canadian National Team - before joining the St. Louis Blues for the shortened NHL season. The following season would see him play for the National Team again, before signing with Vancouver. Anderson had to go through waivers before he ever played a game for the Canucks - and was claimed by the Oilers, where he played 17 games before being waived (again) and being claimed by St. Louis.
The 95-96 season marked Anderson's last in the NHL (he played in Europe for the 96-97 season). He retired with 1129 games played, 498 goals, and 1099 points. With 5 playoff overtime goals, he's got the 3rd most in NHL history, to go along with a total of 17 playoff GWG (5th most). His 214 career Playoff points are the 4th highest in NHL history.
A four time All Star, Anderson was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008, and had hist jersey #9 retired by the Oilers in 2009.
Pictured are a trio of cards: His 80-81 OPC Rookie Card, an autograph from 04-05 UD Legends Classic, and an ITG Franchises dual memorabilia card (featuring a piece of stick, and jersey).
I would like to replace that ITG card with both a jumbo patch, and a jumbo stick type cards (any manufacturer). I'm more focused on the GU aspect of the card - and wouldn't necessarily be looking for Auto/Patch (for example) but if an auto-patch card (must be vintage Oilers GU!) came along (with a hard signed auto) then I'd be looking to move out both the ITG & UD cards.
Tom Bladon
A stalwart on the Philadelphia blue line in the 1970s, Tom Bladon is certainly remembered more for being a Flyer than an Oiler. His heavy slapshot was a fixture on the Flyer's blue line from 72-73 (when he made his NHL debut) through the end of the 77-78 season, when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 1st round draft pick.
The Oilers signed Bladon for the 80-81 season, but he played only one game before being waived and claimed by the Winnipeg Jets. He played just 9 contests in the 'peg, before playing a couple more games in Detroit.
Bladon's career highlights: Winning the Stanley Cup with Philadelphia in 1974 & 1975, as well as being the ONLY defenseman in NHL history to record 8 points in a single game - doing it on December 11th, 1977, as part of an 11-1 thrashing of the Cleveland Barons.. He was "plus 10" on the night, which is still an NHL record
Pictured are Bladon's 74-75 OPC Rookie Card, an 04-05 ITG Franchises Autograph, and his 80-81 OPC card. It says "now with Oilers", after he signed a free agent contract with them - This is the closest to an actual Oilers card he'll ever get.
Curt Brackenbury
Never drafted, Curt Brackenbury played 265 games over 6 seasons in the WHA, primarily an enforcer - he racked up over 750 PIMs along the way.
Brackenbury was traded to the Quebec Nordiques mid way through the 1975-76 WHA season, and played there until the league merged into the NHL for the 79-80 season. He remained with the Nords for their first year in the NHL, but was claimed off waivers by the Oilers as the 1980-81 season was starting. He style of play, of course, remained the same: In 58 games that year, Brackenbury had 158 PIMs, to go along with 2 goals and 7 assists.
The 81-82 season saw Brackenbury spend most of the season in the minors (played another 14 for the Oilers). He was cut lose following the season, letting him sign on with the St. Louis Blues. The 82-83 season saw him play just 6 more NHL contests, along with time in the minors. Brackenbury retired following the 82-83 season.
Pictured are his 1979-80 OPC Rookie Card, and ITG Enforcers Autograph, and a Fleer Throwbacks GU Stick Card.
Paul Coffey
Paul Coffey was part of an exceptional 1980 Draft Class. Three of the first six picks went on to have Hall of Fame careers (Denis Savard & Larry Murphy being the other two). He was also the first of three All Stars picked by Edmonton that year (one other is also in the HOF) but I'll mention them later.
Simply put: Paul Coffey is one of the greatest offensive defensemen to ever play. His 138 points in 85-86 ranks second in single season scoring by a defenseman (Bobby Orr once had 139 points). He has two seasons with 40+ goals, making him one of just two defenseman to have ever scored 40+ (Orr did it once). His 48 goals in 85-86 remain the record for goals in a season, by a defenceman. When you look at the highest scoring seasons by a defensman, there are only two names that appear in the top 10 list: Bobby Orr & Paul Coffey, 5 times each.
The 1985 Playoffs saw Coffey set NHL records for most goals (12), assists (25), and points (37) by a defenseman in the post season.
He won three Stanley Cups with the Oilers, before a trade during the summer of '87 saw him go to Pittsburgh (along with Dave Hunter & Wayne Van Dorp) for a package of Dave Hannan, Chris Joseph, Moe Mantha and Craig Simpson.
Coffey won his 4th Stanley Cup as a member of the 1991 Penguins. He was traded to LA, where he almost won another in 1993.
Paul Coffey's was an All Star from 1982 thorugh 1986, and against from 1988 through 1994, plus '96 & '97. Yes, he skated in a whooping 14 All Star games, while being named either a 1st or 2nd team all star 8 time, and winning 3 Norris Trophies. He played on three Canada Cup teams, and is the only defenseman to be selected as a first team all star while playing for three different teams. He is 2nd in all time scoring by a defenceman (behind Ray Bourque) and currently sits 13th in all time league points. He was inducted into the hockey hall of fame in 2004.
Many people don't realize that Coffey played for 9 NHL teams: After the Kings, he was traded to the Red Wings, then to the Whalers (a brief stop), and then to the Flyers. The Flyers dealt him to the Blackhawks (I admit, I forget he played there), who traded him to the Hurricanes. He played his last NHL games in 00-01 with the Boston Bruins.
Picture are a trio of Coffey cards: His 80-81 OPC Rookie Card, a Cup Limited Logos Auto-Patch card, featuring a swatch of a Campbell Conference All Star jersey, and a Leaf Lumberkings stick card.
I would very much like to add a nice Oilers GU patch to my collection.
Gary Edwards
Drafted in the first round (6th overall) of 1968, Gary Edwards got his NHL start with the St. Louis Blues. Playing for a team where he was behind both Glenn Hall & Jacques Plante in the depth chart - it didn't afford him much opportunity to play in the NHL.
That changed when Edwards join the LA Kings for the 1971-72 season. He was regarded as one of the best backups in the league (playing behind Rogie Vachon) while in Los Angles from the 71-72 season, until his trade mid way through the 76-77 season to Cleveland.
The 1978-79 season saw Edwards join the Minnesota North Stars, who traded him to the Edmonton Oilers during the 80-81 season.
Edwards played in 15 games for the Oilers that season, before leaving as a free agent. He rejoined the Blues for the 81-82 season, and then the Pittsburgh Penguins later that year. He retired following the 81-82 season.
Pictured are Gary Edwards' 1971-72 OPC Rookie Card, and an ITG 1972 Autograph.
Matti Hagman
Matti Hagman was the first Finnish born & trained player to make the NHL, making his debut with the Boston Bruins in 1976 (who would have expected Don Cherry to be the coach that brought down that wall?). One of the few instances where the NHL & WHA actually dealt players between leagues: His contract was sold to the Quebec Nordiques in 1978. He averaged over a point per game with the Nords, but left for his native Finland after only one season.
After staring for two season with HIFK in the Finnish Elite League, Hagman game back to the NHL - when he signed a contract to play with the Edmonton Oilers in 1980-81. While a natural centre, the Oilers moved him to Left Wing, since the Centre positions on the top two lines were already occupied by a couple of future HOFers. Hagman played the 80-81 season (mostly) on a line with Mark Messier & Glenn Anderson, scoring 20 goals & 53 points. He topped those totals the following year, with 21 goals & 59 points, but those would be his last in the NHL. He returned home where he went back to star for HIFK, a team that would later retire his jersey.
Hagman was also a member of Team Finland at the 1976 Winter Olympics, and the '76, '81, and '87 Canada Cups. He led the Finnish League in scoring in four times, and is a member of the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame. His son, Niklas, would later join the NHL too.
Pictured are Hagman's 1981-82 OPC Rookie Card, and his 2004-05 Upper Deck All World Edition Autograph.
Charlie Huddy
Another member of the "5 Cups" club, Charlie Huddy was a stalwart on the Oilers Blue Line throughout the dynasty era.
Undrafted out of Junior, where Huddy starred withe Oshawa, he signed with the Oilers prior to the 79-80 season, and spent the year playing for the Houston Apollos in the CHL. The following season, Huddy made his NHL debut playing in 12 contests during the 80-81 season, but still spending the bulk of the year in the CHL, with the Wichita Wind.
Charlie stuck the the roster for the 81-82 season, but wasn't an every day player until the 82-83 season - when he would be the inaugural recipient of the NHL's plus/minus award. He played for the Oilers through the 1990-91 season, when he left to join Wayne Gretzky in Los Angeles.
He was a member of Team Canada at the 1984 Canada Cup, and as well as the Oilers & Kings - his NHL career included stops in Buffalo & St. Louis. His 694 Games Plays (as an Oiler) ranks 10th in team history.
Pictured are Huddy's 1983-84 OPC Rookie Card, and his ITG Franchises Autograph.
John Hughes
John Hughes was drafted in 1974 by both the WHA and NHL after a standout junior career with the Toronto Marlboroughs of the OHA, opting to go the WHA route instead of the NHL - where he'd debut for the Phoenix Road Runners in 1974-75. He had quite the tour in the WHA, playing for 5 teams in 6 years, including the Houston Areos, Edmonton Oilers, Indianapolis Racers, and the Cincinnati Stingers.
Edmonton was Hughes' final WHA stop, but was reclaimed by Vancouver (who had drafted him in 1974) during the '79 WHA Expansion draft. He played that one season in Vancouver, before rejoining the Oilers for the 80-81 season as a free agent.
His Oilers career did not last long. He spent much of the season in the minors, playing only 12 games for the Oilers in 80-81, before being traded to the New York Rangers midway through the season (though only spent time with their AHL affiliate). After one more season in the minors, Hughes retired following the 81-82 season.
Pictured are his 1975-76 OPC WHA Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 76-77 OPC WHA.
Pat Hughes
Pat Hughes isn't one of the huge names you often hear associated with the 80's powerhouse that was the Oilers - IMO he's actually one of the more overlooked players from that era.
Hughes was drafted in 1975, by both the Calgary Cowboys (WHA) and Montreal Canadiens (NHL). He opted to sign with the Habs, and after spending a couple of years in the minor leagues - he joined them for his first taste of NHL action in the 1977-78 season. He would be described as a part time player with the Habs in 78-79 (41 games in the regular season, 8 more in the playoffs) when he won his first Stanley Cup.
Prior to the 79-80 season, Montreal dealt him to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He spent most of the next two seasons as a regular in the Penguins lineup - but was dealt to the Oilers in March of 1981, for Pat Price.
He only played two games for the Oilers in 80-81, but Hughes would be a fixture in their lineup over the next 4 seasons - scoring 88 goals & 171 points in those four years combined, and also chipping in 5 goals & 22 points (total) in the playoffs. Pat was a member of the Stanley Cup winning teams in both 1984 & 1985.
His time with the Oilers came to an end prior to the start of the 85-86 season, when a three way trade between the Oilers, Penguins, and Sabres had Hughes going to Buffalo, and the Oilers getting Mike Moller in return.
He split the 85-86 season between Buffalo, and their AHL team in Rochester - and was then claimed on Waivers prior to the 86-87 season, by the St. Louis Blues. He would be traded to the Whalers later that year, and retired following the 86-87 season.
Pictures are his 1979-80 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of the 1983-83 OPC.
Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri is probably the best player the Oilers ever took with the 69th overall pick, when they did so in 1980 (3rd round of the draft). That's saying something, because they were only one year removed from taking fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson with the 69th pick in 1979!
Part of a second straight, unbelievably strong, draft class for the Oilers in 1980 (along with Paul Coffey & Andy Moog) Kurri made his debut with the Oilers 1980-81, and his impact was immediate.He scored 32 goals & 75 points as a rookie in 80-81, and those would be his lowest totals during his entire 10 year tenure in Edmonton.
After winning his 5th Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1990, Kurri's time in Edmonton ended. In the 10 regular seasons he logged totals that put him near the top of the Oilers' career leader board in many categories: 754 games (7th), 474 goals (2nd), 569 assists (3rd), 1043 points (2nd), 60 Game Winners (3rd).
After the 89-90 season, he held out for a new contract - and spent the 1990-91 year playing in Italy. The Oilers eventually dealt him (along with Dave Brown & Corey Foster) to the Philadelphia Flyers, for Scott Melenby, Craig Berube, and Craig Fischer. The Flyers would immediatly deal him to the LA Kings, where he'd be reunited with Wayne Gretzky, for a package including Steve Duchesne. After 5 seasons with the Kings, Kurri was dealt to the New York Rangers. He played only one season in the big apple, before moving back west and player a season for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, then one final one with the Colorado Avalanche.
He retired with 106 Playoff Goals, and 233 Playoff Points. Both numbers are good for 3rd on the all time list. He is a 9 time all star (7 times with the Oilers), lead the NHL in goals in 1986, won the Lady Byng in 1985, and was either a first or second team all star on five occasions. His 1398 Regular Season points is good for 21st all time, and his 601 goals ranks 20th. In addition to this 5 Stanley Cups, Kurri won team hardware internationally, with Finland, too: Bronze at both the 1991 Canada Cup & 1998 Olympics, and Silver at the 1994 World Championships & 1980 World Junior Championships.
Jari Kurri was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and had his jersey retired by the Oilers, in 2001.
Pictured are his 1980-81 OPC Rookie Card, a Signature Patches from 06-07 The Cup, and an ITG Stickwork card.
Garry Lariviere
Garry Lariviere was drafted by both the NHL's Buffalo Sabres (83rd) and WHA's Chicago Cougars (39th) in the two league's respected 1974 Entry Drafts. His WHA rights ended up being moved to the Phoenix Roadrunners, where he would sign, and he made his professional debut in Phoenix in the 1974-75 season.
Lariviere spent most of that first pro season with Tulsa, playing just 4 games for Phoenix, but was a regular in their lineup the following season, and in the 76-77 season, until he was traded to the Quebec Nordiques, where he'd play until the WHA merger in 1979. He was one of Quebec's three priority selections in the 1979 Expansion draft, denying Buffalo their chance to reclaim their former draft pick.
Garry continued to patrol the blue line for the Nords for most of their first two seasons in the NHL, but was part of a three team deal on March 8th of 1981, that saw him wind up with the Edmonton Oilers. He finsihed the 80-81 season with Edmonton, and was a regular in their lineup for the 81-82 season. He played only 17 games with the Oilers in 82-83, and left the NHL following that season. He played three more years with St. Catherines in the AHL, spending the last two of those in the position of player / assistant coach (something that's virtually unheard of today).
Pictured are his 77-78 OPC WHA Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 81-82 OPC, showing he was now a member of the Oilers.
Pete LoPresti
Peter LoPresti was drafted in 1974, both by the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL & the Houston Areos of the WHA. He opted to sign with his NHL club, and would play 186 games for Minnesota from the 74-75 season, through 77-78. Prior to the 1978-79, he lost his starting job to Gillies Meloche, and only played in 7 contests that year.
Now relegated to backup duties, LoPresti was left exposed by the North Stars in the 1979 Expansion Draft - where he became the Oilers 6th pick.
When LoPresti failed to make the Oilers team out of camp in the 79-80 season, he retired. He took that year off, but was invited back to Oilers training camp in 1980. This go round with Edmonton proved a little more successful, and he played in 2 games for the Oilers in 80-81, spending the rest of the season with the Wichita wind.
Pete LoPresti retired for good, following the 80-81 season.
Pictured are his 1976-77 OPC Rookie Card, an ITG Between The Pipes Autograph.
Andy Moog
Andy Moog was drafted in the 7th round (132nd overall) in the 1980 entry draft: Combining with Paul Coffey & Jari Kurri to make the second of two draft classes that really jump started the Oilers dynasty.
Moog made his NHL debut during the 80-81 season, while spending most the year in the minors with Wichita. Eddie Mio & Ron Low did the bulk of the work that year - but injuries to both late in the year gave Moog the opportunity for a call up, and he excelled. After going 3-3 in 7 regular season games, Moog was the starter for the playoffs - and backstopped the Oilers to a 3 game sweep of the Montreal Canadiens - before eventually losing 4 games to 2, against the New York Islanders.
The expectation was the Moog would be the Oilers netminder the following year, but a 19 year old Grant Fuhr came in and took the job. Moog wound up spending most the 81-82 season in the minors as well - playing in only 8 regular season games.
1982-83 would be when Moog finally got his big break. He played in 50 games for the Oilers that season, posting a 33-8-7 record, and was the #1 goalie in the playoffs, helping Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup finals for the first time, where they'd lose (again) to the New York Islanders. Fuhr took over as the #1 for the 83-84 season, but an injury during the SCF meant that Moog got his rematch against the Islanders, and he helped lead the Oilers to their first of 5 Stanley Cup victories.
After 7 seasons, 4 finals appearances, 3 Stanley Cups, 2 All Star Appearances, 143 Regular Season Wins, and 23 Playoff Wins, And Moog decided he was done with the Oilers. He was too good to keep playing #2 to the (eventual) Hall of Famer Fuhr. After walking away from the Oilers and joining the Canadian National Team in 87-88 (playing @ the Calgary Olympics) and a near trade to Pittsburgh - Moog was dealt to Boston for Geoff Courtnall & Bill Ranford.
Moog would get one more crack at the Stanley Cup, facing off against Bill Ranford & the Oilers in 1990 - when the Oilers won the series 4 games to 1.
Boston would later deal Moog to Dallas, in exchange for Jon Casey. After Ed Belfour supplanted an again Moog as the #1 in Dallas, he played one final season in Montreal, before retiring after the 97-98 season.
Moog is the second-fastest goaltender to reach the 300 win mark, doing so in his 543rd game. He is second only to Jacques Plante (526). He was 5th goaltender to get 360 & 370 wins. Moog also has best the winning percentage of any goaltender not in the Hockey Hall of Fame .580 tied with Chris Osgood.
Pictured are Moog's 80-81 OPC Rookie Card, an ITG Decades 1980s Autograph, and an ITG Between The Pipes Jersey card. If anyone is aware of Oilers GU cards that were made of Moog, please let me know - but I don't think they actually exist.
Tom Roulston
Tom Roulston was another player drafted by both the WHA (1977, 29th, by the Quebec Nordiques) and the NHL (1977, 45th, by the St. Louis Blues). He opted for the NHL, but was never able to crack the Blues' roster - he only ever played with their minor league affiliates.
After getting traded to the Oilers, Roulston made his NHL debut in 1980-81 - scoring a goal in his 11 games played. He would go to play 127 games for the Oilers (plus 21 playoff games) through the 1983-84 season, when the Oilers dealt him to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Roulston played the rest of the 83-84 season with the Penguins, but spent the bulk of the next two years playing in the AHL - only getting into 5 more NHL contests. Following the 1985-86 season, he went to play in Europe for the next three years, retiring after his year long stint in Davos in 1988-89.
After four years away from the game, Roulston came out of retirement to play for the Wichita Thunder (CHL) in 1994-95. He retired for good after the 94-95 season.
Pictured are two copies of Roulston's 1982-83 OPC Rookie Card: One like it came from the pack, and a second that's been signed.
Roy Sommer
Roy Sommer was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, in the 6th round, of the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. He never got to play in Toronto - but he went on to have a 13 year pro career, mostly in the minors.
Sommer's stops included Saginaw, Dayton, Wichita, Maine, Indianapolis, and and Muskegon. He was called up by the Oilers for three games during the 1980-81 season, scoring a goal & logging 7 minutes in penalties. He retired as a player after the 1986-87 season, but his time in the world of professional hockey had really just begun.
Sommer joined the IHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks (the team he'd just retired from) as an assistant coach for the 87-88 season. In 1991, he got his first head coaching gig in the ECHL, where he was with Roanoke Valley for one year, and then Richmond Renegades for four.
The 1996-97 season saw Sommer get hired by the San Jose Sharks, where he was an assistant for two seasons. Following the 97-98 season, Sommor took a new job in the Sharks' organization, as head coach of their AHL affiliate in Kentucky. Since the 1998-99 season, the Sharks have moved their AHL affiliation from Kentucky (Thoroughblades) to Cleveland (Barons), then to Worcester Sharks), and for the last three season, to San Jose (Barracuda) - during than entire 20 year span, Sommer has been the head coach. He holds the record for longest tenured coach with one team in AHL history, and is the winningest coach in AHL history. He passed Bun Cooks' Mark of 636 back in February of 2016, and became the first AHL coach to reach 700 wins in December of 2017. He's entering his 21st season as the Sharks AHL coach, fresh off an AHL coach-of-the-year award. It's likely just a question of "when?" not "if?" he reached 800.
Pictured are two copies of Sommor's 1992-93 Richmond Renegades coaching card. There are no cards of him as a player (other than the oversized Oilers Anniversary program inserts) so this is the closest thing to a "Rookie Card" that exists for him. The signed copy, he was kind enough to sign TTM for me a few years ago, when the Sharks' AHL club was still in Worcester.
Gary Unger
Gary Unger broke into the NHL as a teenager, with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1967-68. He was traded to the Detroit Red Wings before the season's end, in a massive 4-for-4 deal, the likes of which you'd never see today: Toronto traded Unger, Carl Brewer, Frank Mahovlich and Pete Stemkowski to Detroit for Doug Barrie, Paul Henderson, Floyd Smith and Norm Ullman.
Unger had only been a part time player with the Leafs, but he was an intimidate regular with the Red Wings. From the 1968-69 season, through his tenure as a member of the St. Louis Blues (was a Blue up until the end of the 1978-79 season) Unger didn't miss a single game. In fact, during the 70-71 season he played 79 games despite there being just a 78 game schedule - his mid-season trade to St. Louis (for Team Captain "Red" Berenson) gave him an extra game in the schedule.
Unger's Iron man streak ended at 914 games, while a member of the Atlanta Flames in 1979-80. Unger had suggered a separated shoulder, and after playing just a few shifts through four games (he could barely lift his arm) Flames coach Al McNeil decided to bench Unger during a game in St. Louis, against the team that 622 of the 914 games were played for. It wound up being the only game Unger missed that season. His streak was an NHL record at the time, but was later broken by Doug Jarvis (964 games) but remains the second longer Iron Man streak in NHL history.
Unger left the Flames and joined the LA Kings for the 1980-81 season, before getting traded to Edmonton (for "Future Considers) part way through the year. Unger spent the next two and a half seasons in & out of the Oilers lineup: Logging a total of 75 games, scoring 9 goals & 13 assists. His 13 games with the Oilers in 82-83 were his last in the NHL, but he did play a couple of seasons in the minors before retiring.
Unger also represented Canada at both the 1978 & 1979 World Championships.
Pictured are his 1968-69 OPC Rookie Card, an 06-07 Parkhurst Autograph, an 11-12 ITG Canada vs The World Jersey card, and an 82-83 OPC card showing him as a member of the Oilers.
1981-82
Ken Berry
The Vancouver Canucks made Ken Berry the 112th overall pick in the 1980. Before ever playing a game for the Cancuks, he was dealt to the Oilers in a two-for-two swap, in March of 1981. He and Garry Lariviere join the Oilers organization, in exchange for Blair MacDonald & Lars-Gunnar Pettersson.
Berry spent most of his time with the Oilers as a minor league player (CHL, AHL) - but he suited up for 15 games in the 81-82 season, and other 13 in 83-84: Scoring 2 goals and adding 3 assists in each of those two stints.
He played on the Canadian Olympic team in both the 1980 & 1988 Winter Games (Lake Placid, Calgary). Following the Calgary games in 1988, he signed on with the team that originally drafted him - the Vancouver Canucks. He played another 27 NHL contests over the rest of the 87-88 season, and the 88-89 campaign, but spent most the 88-89 season in the AHL. For the 89-90 he signed to played in Germany, where he played another four seasons before retiring.
Pictured are a signed custom card I picked up in a deal years ago, along with 84-85 Nova Scotia Oilers card. That was his first minor league, and a nice substitute for an actual Rookie Card.
Laurie Boschman
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Laurie Boschman 9th overall in the 1979 Entry Draft, and he cracked their lineup immediately - and played in 80 games as a rookie in the 79-80 season. The Leafs dealt him the Oilers late in the 81-82 season, for a pair of players: Phil Drouillard and Walt Poddubny.
Boschman only lasted (about) a year in Edmonton. He played 11 games to finsih the 81-82 season, and 62 more in the 82-83 season, but he was then dealt to the Winnipeg Jets for Willy Lindstrom. In those 73 games he tallied 10 goals, 25 points, and 220 PIMs.
Boschman went on to play 8 seasons in Winnipeg, before 2 in New Jersey, and finally (after being picked in the expansion draft) 1 in Ottawa - where he was Team Captain for the 1992-93 season (first in the club's history).
He logged over 1,000 NHL games before retiring at the end of the 92-93 season. He briefly came out of retirement for the 94-95 season - playing 7 games for the Fife Flyers (British Hockey League).
Grant Fuhr
When your franchise's first ever two 1st round picks turned out to be the franchise leader in games played (Kevin Lowe) and arguably one of the ten greatest defenceman ever (Paul Coffey) how does a team follow that up on their third try in the first round? How about yet another Hockey Hall of Famer, from the Oilers Dynasty era: Goalie Grant Fuhr.
Fuhr was taken with the 8th pick in the 1st round of the 1981 entry draft. after a standout junior career with the Victoria Cougars. He made the club during his first training camp, and played in 48 games in the 81-82 season (with a record of 28-5-14). He would go on to be the main goalie for the Oilers during their incredible run throughout the 1980s, despite having another allstar (Andy Moog) on the team with him. The luxury of two all star goalies meant the Oilers had options when one was hurt (like Fuhr was during the '85 finals) but Fuhr was cemented as the #1 option, basically from the time he arrived in Edmonton.
He won 226 games as an Oiler (vs only 117 loses). His win totals are a team best. He was a 6 time all star while with the Oilers, and won the Vezina Trophy in 1988. He is one of just a few members of the team to have been a part of all five Stanley Cup wins, though he was relegated to backup for the fifth. After having missed most the year, Bill Ranford had usurped him as the Oilers #1 goalie - and eventual Conn Smythe winner.
Following the 1990 Cup win, and Fuhr's status as #1 no longer a thing, but he remained with the team. The Oilers weren't going to give him away - and held out before trading him after the 90-91 season had already started. He was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with fellow Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson, and Craig Berube, for a package of Vinny Damphousee, Peter Ing, Luke Richardson, Scott Thornton, future considerations, and cash.
Fuhr's career continued in Toronto, but after a couple of seasons he was displaced as the #1 again by a younger goalie - this time Felix Potvin. The Leafs dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres, who would eventually replace him with Dominik Hasek and deal him to the Los Angles Kings, where he'd be reunited with Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, and Marty McSorley - but this group of ex-Oilers never had the success that the (larger) group did with the New York Rangers. He left LA after a single season, and signed with the St. Louis Blues (a move that made Curtis Joseph expendable, and he was dealt to the Oilers as a result - creating another whole weird circle of player moves involving Fuhr & the Oilers). The Blues wound up dealing Fuhr to the Calgary Flames, where he finished his career in in the 1999-00 season: Ironically a teammate, in Calgary, with Steve Smith... the one-time Oilers defender who put a puck off of Fuhr's skate, and in the Oilers' net, costing them Game 7 vs the Flames in 1986
Fuhr retired with 403 wins, one of just 13 goalies to break the 400 win mark. In the 1995-96 season (with St. Louis), he set an NHL record by playing in 76 straight games (in one season) as well as a record 79 games (total) in one season. He represented Canada as a member of the 1984 & 1987 gold medal winning Canada Cup teams, as well as the silver medal winning 1989 World Championship team. After retiring he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003, and has his jersey #31 retired by the Oilers that same year.
Pictured are a trio of cards for Fuhr: An ITG Decades 1980s Number card (great patch on it), an Upper Deck Black Game Night Ticket autograph, and his 1982-83 OPC Rookie Card. Side note: Fuhr is probably the player of whom I have the 2nd most cards of in my collection, as he's been pair with Bill Ranford on a whooping 79 different cards (if you include all of the parallels). I own 44 of those, most of the missing ones are either 1/1 parallels, or recent year Leaf stuff I wasn't really interested in.
Marc Habscheid
Marc Habscheid was another member of the Oilers 1981 draft class, taken 113th overall, in the 6th round. He was actually the team's #2 scorer in the 1981 preseason. He was able to crack the roster briefly during his first season as a pro, and scored a goal in his 7 games with the Oilers - but spent the year bouncing around to several stops: at various time the Oilers had him assigned to Saskatoon (WHL), Whichita (AHL), and Canada's World Junior Championship Team, where he helped Canada win gold.
The next three seasons saw Habscheid get time with the Oilers, but he also spent significant time in the minors. Those three seasons saw him play a combined 67 NHL games, while making stops in Kamloops (WHL), Moncton (AHL) and then Cape Breton (AHL as well. The Moncton Alpines relocated and become the Nova Scotia Oilers).
He had been a prolific scorer in Junior, but it wasn't translating to the same level of success in the NHL. Through a total of 74 NHL games (in 4 seasons) Habscheid popped 10 goals. In December of 1985 has was dealt to the Minnesota North Stars.
The next stop was Springfield in the AHL (Minnesota's affiliate) but he did play a few games for the North Stars that season. Habscheid spent big chunks of the next two seasons playing with Canada's National Team (including a spot in the 1988 Olympics) but still logged 15 & 16 NHL games in both 86-87 and 87-88.
It was 88-89 when he really hit his stride as an NHLer, playing in 76 games for the North Stars, and notched 23 goals & 54 points.
He left Minnesota after that, signing a three year deal in Detroit. He played the first two there as a regular on the roster, but not always in the lineup. Detroit would later trade him to Calagary where he played the 1991-92 season, his last in the NHL.
Habscheid has gone on to become a very successfull coach, having spend 14 years coaching the WHL, including a Memorial Cup win in 2003-04 with the Kelowna Rockets. He also had a brief stint (in 06-07) as an associate coach with the Boston Bruins.
Pictured are a signed copy of his 1984-85 Nova Scotia Oilers, and his 89-90 OPC Rookie Card.
Don Jackson
Like many others of his era, Don Jackson was drafted by team in the WHA (Calgary Cowboys) and NHL (Minnesota North Stars) in 1976. Instead of turning pro right away, he'd finish his four years at Notre Dame, and the defenceman signed to play with the North Stars. He spent four seasons in Minnesota' organization, each season earning a call up, but spent most of his time with Oklahoma City in the CHL.
The summer of 1981 brought change for Jackson, as he was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers (along with a draft pick) for Don Murdoch. The 81-82 season would see him play 8 games for the Oilers, while he logged the bulk of his time with the Wichita Wind. It was the 82-83 season when he really caught on with the Oilers: logging 71 NHL games, more than he had in the five previous seasons combined.
Jackson would continue to be a regular in the Oilers lineup for the next three years, winning two Stanley Cups with the club. He was part of a seven player deal with the New York Rangers, just before the start of the 86-87 season. He'd play another 22 games for the Rangers that year, before retiring from hockey.
Jackson would go on to have a lengthy coaching career. After several years in the minors he was an assistant coach with the Penguins, Blackhawks, and Senators in the NHL. He's been a head coach in Germany since the 2005-06 season.
Pictured are his 1983-84 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 83-84 Vachon.
Lindsay Middelbrook
Lindsay Middelbrook was a standout goalie at St. Louis University, being named to the CCHA first all-star team in 1975. He translated his collegiate success into a contract with the New York Rangers - signing in the big apple in 1977.
He never got to play for the Rangers. After leading the AHL in wins during the 78-79 season, he was left exposed for the 1979 expansion draft, and claimed by the Winnipeg Jets. Over the next two seasons he would play 24 games in Winnipeg, while also being named to the second all-star team in the CHL, as they Jets primarily had him assigned to Tulsa.
Middelbrook was traded to Minnisota following the 80-81 season, but spent most of 81-82 in the minors. The North Stars did call him up for a bit, where he played another three NHL games.
The following summer, he'd sign with the New Jersey Devils - but still didn't see a lot of action. He played 9 games for the club before being dealt to Edmonton, as part of a two player package for Ron Low. He spent the balance of the 82-83 season, along with all of 83-84, in Edmonton system - but that single game with the Oilers was the last NHL action he'd see. After two more pro seasons in the IHL, and one in the AAHL, Middelbrook retired following the 1986-87 season.
Picture is a custom 'cut' signature card, created by @DnJcards
Lance Nethery
A graduate of Cornell, Lance Nethery was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 8th round (131st overall) in the 1977 NHL entry draft. A prolific goal scorer in both College & the Minors, Nethery made his NHL debut with the Rangers in 1980-81.
11 goals, and 23 points, in 33 games for the Rangers his rookie year, Nethery played only 5 games for the Rangers in 81-82, before he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in December. The Rangers needed goaltending, and Ed Mio was available.
Nethery wound up spending most of the season with the Oilers' farm club in Wichita, playing in just 3 contests for the big club, recording a pair of assists.
The 82-83 would see him leave North America, and play in Germany - scoring a whooping 71 goals in 46 games. He would later join Davos in the Swiss Elite league, where he lead the team to back-to-back league titles in '87 and '88, before retiring from hockey.
Since the 1990-91 season, Nethery has carved out a great career, with multiple championships, as a coach & executive in Germany.
Pictured are a cut signature card (created by @DnJcards) and his 1999-00 coaching card, from the German DEL set, when he was coaching Kölner Haie.
Another want: I'd really like to land a copy of his actual "coaching rookie card": From the 1994-95 DEL set.
Walt Poddunby
Walt Poddunby was drafted 90th overall by the Oilers in the 1980 Entry Draft, however he'd play only 4 games for the Orange & Blue: After spending most of his first two pro seasons in the minors, Poddunby did play for the Oilers in 1981-82, but he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the NHL's trade dealine, in a deal that landed the Oilers Laurie Boschman.
That ended up doing pretty well for Walt's career. He finished the 81-82 season with the Leafs, and then played in 72 games for them the following year, popping 28 goals. He didn't stick on the roster, however, and spent chunks for the next couple of seasons in the minors - while still getting some opportunity to skate in the NHL.
The Leafs would later trade him to the New York Rangers, in the summer of '86. The trade, in exchange for Mike Allison, is regarded as the best trade Phil Esposito made during his time as Ranger GM. Poddunby scored 40 goals in 86-87, and 38 more in 87-88. The Rangers moved him to Quebec after that, where he spent one year and scored another 38 goals. Bad knees meant he played limited games for three seasons after that, in New Jersey, before spending a couple of years in Europe & the AHL before retirement after the 94-95 season.
After his playing days were done, Poddunby got into coaching - most notably with the Anchorage Aces of the ECHL
Sadly, Walt passed away in 2009, the result of a heart attack.
Pictured are Poddunby's 1983-84 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 84-85 OPC.
Todd Strueby
Todd Strueby was taken in the 2nd round, 29th overall, of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. The junior scoring star tallied nearly a goal-per-game in the WHL during the 81-82 season (60 goals, 61 games) and played in three for the Oilers that year. He played a single game for the Oilers in the 82-83 season, and continued to set the WHL on fire with the Saskatoon Blades. Unfortunately he was never able to turn his junior success into NHL success: He played his final NHL game in 1983-84, finishing with 5 games, and 1 assist, for the Oilers.
Strueby did have a nice career in the minors. First in Nova Scotia for a couple of seasons with the Oilers farm club, and then in the IHL, finally playing in Europe. During the 88, 89, 90, and 92 seasons: Strubey also starred for the Canadian National team.
He retired from hockey following the 92-93 season, and eventually found his way into a distinguished career in law enforcement.
Strueby never had any NHL cards, so he has no real rookie card to speak of. Pictured are his 91-92 IHL card (his first and only non-team issued card), his 84-85 Nova Scotia Oilers card, and a signed copy of his 90-91 Team Canada card. He was kind enough to sign it for me TTM.
1982-83
John Blum
John Blum was a star defenceman for Notre Dame High School in Michigan. While he would ultimately go on to play in the NHL, one of his teammates grew up to be far more famous, without professional sports: Uncle Joey! (Comedian / Actor Dave Coulier).
After high school, Blum went on to play in the NCAA with the University of Michigan Wolverines. Four years in the USA's top college circuit didn't get him drafted, but he signed with the Edmonton Oilers as an undrafted free agent in the spring of 1981. He's spend most of the next two years in Moncton, Edmonton's AHL affiliate, but did skate for 5 games with the Oilers in 82-83, and 4 more in 83-84.
At the 1984 trade deadline, Blum was dealt to the Boston Bruins. He immediately became a regular in the lineup, playing the rest of the season in Boston, a full NHL season in 84-85, and only had a brief stint in the minors during 85-86, playing most of the season with the Bruins.
He was claimed by the Washington Capitals on waivers, as the 86-87 season was starting. He was an NHL regular in Washington, before being traded back to Boston for the 87-88 season. That year saw him spend more time in the minors than the NHL, which would be the case again the following two seasons (first with Detroit, then Boston again). He played out a couple more seasons in the minors, before retiring at the end of 94-95 season.
Blum logged 250 NHL games in his career, and racked up 610 PIMs (along with 7 goals, and 41 points).
John Blum never had a real "Rookie Card" - so What you see pictured are his first "major" minor league card: 88-89 Pro Cards IHL, and a signed copy of his 1991-92 Michigan Wolverines alumni set.
Randy Gregg
Randy Gregg took a very unusual path to the NHL. He was undrafted, which isn't that uncommon in an of itself. He played CIAU hockey (Canadian University) which is rare - but certainly not unheard of. He was more focused on earning his medical degree (which he did) than developing as a hockey player, which is exceptional - considering he ended up with a 10 year NHL career.
He was among the top players in the CIAU (was player of the year in 1979, and captained the University of Alberta to two championships - so it was natural that he'd get an NHL offer. He did, from the New York Rangers, and he turned it down.
Instead of signing with the Rangers, he opted to play for (and Captain) the Canadian National team at the 1980 Winter Olympics, and played two seasons in Japan, as a player-coach.
How many active NHLers have held medical degrees? How many undrafted hockey players turn down NHL contracts? How many NHLers had Japan as the stop in their career immediately before signing in the league? That's what happened next to Doctor Randy Gregg!
After those two seasons abroad, he signed with his home-town Edmonton Oilers, in time to play four games in the 1982 playoffs. He'd come back the following season as a regular in the Oilers lineup. He would be a big part of their blueline, and had what would be his career best season in 83-84: Gregg put up 13 goals, 40 points, and helped Edmonton win it's first Stanley Cup. He would play for Canada in the 1984 Canada Cup as well.
Greg & the Oilers picked up right where they left off in 84-85, setting the league on fire again, and winning their second straight Stanley Cup. The 85-86 would end in disappointment though: The Oilers lost in the first round of the playoffs. That disappointment, combined with Gregg's desire to become a practicing doctor, lead to his retirement from professional hockey.
Of course he couldn't stay away. He retirement lasted only six weeks into the 86-87, before he came back with the Oilers and helped his club win it's third Stanley Cup in four years. Retirement #2 was around the corner, as he (once again) walked away from professional hockey to pursue his medical career. He would residency program in orthopedic surgery, and then represent Canada a third time at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Following his tour with the Canadian National Team, Gregg would come back to the NHL once again, with the Oilers, and help the club win it's fourth Stanley Cup in five years!
Gregg played two more years with the Oilers, and was part of their fifth Stanley Cup in 1990. He's one of only seven players to have been on all five winning clubs. Following the 1990 Cup win, Gregg was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks on waivers. Rather than play the 90-91 season, Gregg opted for retirement. He would later sign with the Canucks, and play the 1991-92 season, before retiring for the fourth, and final time!
Doctor Randy Gregg ended up logging 474 NHL games, represent Canada three times, won five Stanley Cups, and had three mini-retirements before retiring from hockey for good.
The Dr. Randy Gregg Award is presented annually by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) to reward excellence in the student-athlete. The Canadian University ice hockey player who receives this award has exhibited outstanding achievement in ice hockey, academics, and community involvement.
Pictured are Gregg's 1983-84 OPC Rookie Card, an ITG Franchises Autograph, and a Leaf Lumberkings Game Used Stick Card!
Willy Lindstrom
In the history of hockey, there is only one man to have been teammates of Bobby Hull, Wayne Gretzky, and Mario Lemieux. That man's name? Willy Lindstrom! (Of course it is, that's why you're reading this section).
Lindstrom signed as a free agent with the Winnipeg Jets in the WHA, making his North American pro debut in the 75-76 season. He was a top 6 forward with the Jets for the final four seasons of the WHA, winning two Avco Cups, and playing in the 1977 QHA all star game.
Willy migrated to the NHL with the Jets during the 79-80 merger. He wasn't part of the expansion / dispersal process, as he'd never been drafted by an NHL club, so nobody else held claim to his NHL rights.
He broke the 20 goal mark in each of his first three NHL seasons with Winnipeg, including 32 in 1981-82. After scoring 20 goals in 63 games for the Jets in 82-83, he was dealt to Edmonton on March 7th of '83.
Lindstrom paid off right away, popping 6 goals in 10 games for the Oilers before the end of the season, and adding another pair of goals (with 11 assists) in the playoffs, as the Oilers made their first run to the finals (losing to the Islanders).
Lindstrom would be back the following season: His 22 Regular Season goals, and 5 in the playoffs, helped Edmonton with their first of 5 Stanley Cups. While his regular season scoring dropped the following year (only 12) he maintained his playoff pace, notching another 5, as the Oilers & Lindstrom won their second Stanley Cup in as many years.
He signed on with the Pittsburgh Penguins following the '85 playoffs, where he'd play the final two years of his NHL career, before heading back to Sweden for three more seasons. He retired a 4-time champ in North America (two Avoc Cups, two Stanley Cups) with 284 goals, and an even 300 assists, in the 898 games he played between both leagues.
Pictured are Lindstrom's 77-78 OPC WHA Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 84-85 OPC.
Ken Linseman
Drafted by the Birmingham Bulls in the 10th round of the 1977 WHA draft, Ken "The Rat" Linseman made his professional debut in the WHA for the 1977-78 season, as a teenager, and put up impressive totals: 38 goals & 38 assists. That offseason he was drafted in the first round, 7th overall, of the NHL Entry Draft, by the Philadelphia Flyers. Linseman would make his NHL debut in the 1978-79, playing 30 games for the Flyers, while also spending time in the minors.
The 79-80 season would be Linseman's coming out party as a bonafide NHLer. He played 80 games, scoring 22 times, and averaging nearly a point-per-game, racking up 79, to go along with his 107 PIMs. The 1981-82 season would end up being Kenny's (statistically) best: 24 goals, 92 points, and a whooping 275 PIMs. After 240 games as a Flyer - with 68 goals, 243 points, and 555 PIMs, he would end up being part of a three team swap. The Flyers sent Linseman, Greg Adams, and 1st & 3rd round picks to Hartford, in exchange for Mark Howe & a 3rd round pick. The Whalers would immediately flip Linseman to the Oilers for Brent Loney and Risto Siltanen.
The Rat's first season in Edmonton (82-83) saw him score a career high 33 goals, along with 75 points & 181 PIMs, in 72 games. He helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final - notching 6 goals in the playoffs, when the Oilers lost to the New York Islanders. His second season with Edmonton was less productive in the Regular season (just 18 goals, 67 points) but he scored 10 in 19 playoffs games in 1984, helping the Oilers win their first of five Stanley Cups.
Following the Cup win, Linseman was traded to the Boston Bruins for Mike Krushelnyski. He would go on to play five full seasons in Beantown, before the Bruins dealt him back to Philadelphia midway through the 89-90 season. He would re-join the Oilers for the 1990-91 season, and played in 56 games for them that year. The Oilers dealt him to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the eve of the 91-92 season: He played just two games for Toronto that year, and then a few more in Italy, before retiring.
Linseman truly earned his nickname - "The Rat" - and is considered to be on the best "pests" of all time. He retired as nearly a point-per-game player (807 points in 860 games). 256 goals, and 1727 PIMs, made him a threat in so many different ways.
Pictured are four cards of The Rat: His 1979-80 OPC Rookie Card, an 04-05 UD Legendary Signatures, an 11-12 Crown Royal Jersey card, and his 83-84 OPC, showing him as an Oiler.
Don Nachbaur
The 60th overall pick in the 1979 NHL draft, Don Nachbauer was picked but the Harford Whalers, where he made his NHL debut in 1980-81 season. He'd play a pair of seasons in Hartford, logging 77 games each time, before signing with the Edmonton Oilers for the 1982-83 season.
Nachbauer played in just four games for the Oilers, racking up 17 PIMs. He spent most the season with the Oilers' farm team, the Moncton Alpines.
He next moved to the Philadelphia organization, where he split the rest of the 1980s between the Flyeres, and their affiliate in Hershy. Nachbauer played another 4 seasons in Austria before retiring at the end of the 1993-94 season.
After his playing days were over, he made his way into the coaching ranks. He's coached junior (WHL, where he's been named coach of the year twice), Minor leagues (AHL), and is currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings.
Picture are two copies of 1981-82 OPC Rookie (one signed). Notice the UER! Also a copy of his only Oilers card, an Oilers 10th anniversary program insert.
Jaroslav Pouzar
Jaroslav Pouzar was the Oilers 4th round draft pick in 1982, taken 83rd overall. Most would agree that getting nearly 200 NHL games played out of a 4th round pick is a huge win, but since Pouzar was also the best pick the Oilers made in 1982, one would have to consider that draft a disappointment. The 4th NHL draft in team history, it was the first when Edmonton did not draft a future hall of famer.
Pouzar was 30 years old when the Oilers drafted him, so making the team in his first training camp shouldn't have come as a surprise. He was already a 2x Gold Medalist at the World Champsionship (1976 and 1977) having been part of a Czechoslovakian squad that meddled every year from 76-79, and again in 81 & 82. He was also a veteran of the last two Olympic games, having won a Silver medal with Czechoslovakia in 1976.
Jaroslav put up back-to-back seasons breaking the 10 G / 30 P barriers with Edmonton in 82-83 & 83-84. He was limited to only 33 games in 84-85, so he hit neither of those marks that season. After winning a pair of Stanley Cups with Edmonton in '84 & '85, but faced with a limited role on a star-studded team, he went back to Europe and played in Germany.
Pouzar then rejoined the Oilers during the 86-87 season, and was on board to win his third Cup with the team. He'd be done with the NHL for good after the '87 playoffs, but continued to star in Germany until he retired following the 1991-92 season.
Pictured are Pouzar's 83-84 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 83-84 Vachon.
