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Dave Semenko

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Dave Semenko
Semenko in 2016
Born (1957-07-12) July 12, 1957 (age 67)
Winnipeg, MB, CAN
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Right
Played for Edmonton Oilers
Hartford Whalers
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL draft 25th overall, 1977
Minnesota North Stars
Playing career 1977–1988

David John Semenko (born July 12, 1957) is a Canadian professional ice hockey scout, former coach and former player. Semenko played for the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was originally selected in 1977 by the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League and the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association.

A frequent fighter, he was known as Wayne Gretzky's bodyguard early in Gretzky's career in Edmonton, beginning in the WHA in 1978, until Semenko was traded to Hartford in 1987. Semenko is considered by many to be one of the toughest players ever in the NHL.[1][2][3][4] The protection offered by Semenko allowed Edmonton's stars, such as Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey more freedom on the ice, greatly helping the Oilers win Stanley Cups in 1984 and 1985. He fought boxing legend Muhammad Ali in an exhibition on June 12, 1983.

Semenko played his junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings, then played two years for the Oilers in the WHA before it merged with the NHL. He scored the final goal in WHA history in Game 6 of the 1979 Avco Cup Finals, which the Oilers lost to the Winnipeg Jets.[5] After brief stops with the Hartford Whalers and Toronto Maple Leafs, he retired following the 1987–88 season. He finished his 575-game NHL career with 65 goals, 88 assists and 1175 penalty minutes.

After retiring, he became a colour commentator on Oilers radio broadcasts and then became an assistant coach with the Oilers in 1996 before joining the scouting staff.

Awards and achievements

References

  1. ^ "Toughest fighters". The Hockey News. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
  2. ^ Goss, Nicholas (2014-01-24). "Wayne Gretzky Knew To Retire When Opponents Warned Him Before A Hit | NHL". NESN.com. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
  3. ^ "Edmonton Oilers Legends: Dave Semenko". Oilerslegends.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
  4. ^ "Let's Talk Hockey: 50 Wonderful Debates - Phil Schlenker - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
  5. ^ The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association, p.241, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, ON, ISBN 0-7710-8947-3
  6. ^ Cherry, Don. "Don Cherry's Hockey Stories and Stuff". Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  7. ^ Russell, Kent. "I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son". Vintage. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  8. ^ "The Great One: The Complete Wayne Gretzky Collection". FENN-M&S. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
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