All Time Oilers Part 7 (96-97 through 99-00)

[30ranfordfan]

All Time Oilers Part 7 (96-97 through 99-00)

The mid-late 90s Oilers teams are some of my personal favourites. I was born in 1980, so I really don't have much of a memory of the Dynasty teams. I'm well aware of how good those Gretzky-led clubs were, but I was 8 when he was traded. The Oilers being one of the most dominant teams in history obviously was the main influence in who my favourite team was, but those aren't the teams I remember well.

A lot of the big players one these teams made their Oilers' debut in part 6 of my collection, but you're going to see plenty of more big names here. The playoff matchups with Dallas were amazing. That Game 7 victory: Cujo making what I still consider the best save I ever saw, followed by Marchant's OT winner - That's one of my favourite games of all-time.

Doug Weight was the first pro-style Jersey I bought, and I still think he's a criminally underrated player when people look back at the 90s. He & Ryan Smyth are amoung my three favourite players of all time. I can remember being upset when my favourite player, Bill Ranford, was traded.

If you have not seen my other threads, I'll mention what I collect: All Time Oilers. My collection features an Autograph of every player to have ever played for the team. It features a Rookie Card for any player who has one, and minor league or team issued cards for those that don't. If a player does have a card showing him as an Oiler, I've got one of those. I also collect a Game Used card for any player that has one.

I'm always looking to upgrade cards. I stick to pack-pulled autographs for those that have them available, and prefer hard-signed to stickers. I'll get TTM or In Person autographs from players that never signed for card companies. Like everyone, I prefer nice patches to plain swatches on my jersey cards. If you think you have something that would be an upgrade for one of the cards I have here, I'd love to hear about it.

If you missed my other threads, and would like to see them, you can do so here:

Part 6 (93-94 through 95-96): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=440343
Part 5 (90-91 through 92-93): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=438018
Part 4 (87-88 through 89-90): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=436263
Part 3 (83-84 through 86-87): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=429957
Part 2 (80-81 through 85-86): http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=429082
Part 1 (79-80): http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=427601


1996-97

Drew Bannister

After two great seasons with the Soo Ste Marie Greyhounds, Drew Bannister became the first ever 2nd round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992. He'd play two more seasons in the Soo, before turning pro in 1994 and playing for the IHL's Atlanta Knights. In 1994 he was a member of Canada's gold medal winning team at the World Junior Championships.

1995-96 saw Bannister back with Atlanta for most of the season, but he got his first NHL call-up, playing in 13 games for the Bolts. 1996-97 saw him blossom into a full-time NHLer, but Tampa would trade him & a draft pick to the Edmonton Oilers for Jeff Norton.

Bannister played just a single game for the Oilers in 96-97, and 34 more in 97-98, before he was traded again. This time he was sent to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

He finished the season with the Ducks, but couldn't crack their lineup the following year. In December of 1998 he was traded back to Tampa Bay, where he split the season between the Lightning and the Las Vegas Thunder of the IHL.

The next few seasons saw Bannister play mostly in the AHL, with a couple of brief NHL call-ups. He played 3 games for the Rangers in 00-01, and a single game for the Ducks in 01-02.

He went to Europe after that, playing in a mix of Finland, Russia, and Germany for the next 7 seasons. He joined the AHL's Binghamton Senators for the 09-10 season, and then played two more seasons in Germany before retiring in 2012.

He then jumped immediately behind the bench. First as an assistant coach with the Owen Sound Attack, and then as a Head Coach with his junior club, the Greyhounds. In 2018 he was named head coach of the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, the affiliate of the St. Louis Blues.

Pictured are Bannister's Pinnacle Rookie Card, and his BAP Autograph.

Jesse Belanger

Jesse Belanger was never drafted, despite having back-to-back 100 point seasons in the QMJHL was the Granby Bisons. He also played a game with the Canadian National Team in 1989-90.

He was offered a contract by the Montreal Canadiens, and immediately showed his talent. He scored 40 goals & 98 points as a rookie in 1990-91 with the Fredericton Canadiens in the AHL.

That earned him a brief call up the next season, when he made his NHL debut, appearing in 4 games for the Habs. He was never able to consistently crack a very deep Montreal lineup, but played 19 games in the 92-93 regular season, and 9 more in the playoffs - helping Montreal win the Stanley Cup.

He was then selected by the Florida Panthers in the 1993 Expansion Draft. With the Panthers he scored 17 goals in 1993-94, and had 50 points. He continued to be an effective player for them over the next two years, but was traded at the deadline in 1996 to the Vancouver Canucks.

He signed with the Edmonton Oilers for the 1996-97 season, but paying in only 6 games for them, and 6 more for the Hamilton Bulldogs, before being released. He joined the Quebec Rafales of the IHL.

His career continued in Switzerland after that, and then the IHL. 1999-00 saw him resign with Montreal. He spent more time in the AHL than in the NHL, but did play another 16 games for the Habs, scoring 3 times.

In 2000-01 he landed a contract with the New York Islanders, but again spent more time in the minors than the majors. His 12 games with the Islanders that season were the last of his NHL career.

He spent most of the next 7 seasons in Europe, playing in both Switzerland and Germany. In 2007 he'd come home and played 6 seasons in the LNAH (mostly with St. Georges) before retiring in 2013.

Pictured are Belanger's Parkhurst RC, a BAP Autograph, and a game used stick card from ITG's Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge.

Sean Brown

Sean Brown was a mean, tough defenceman, playing for the Bellville Bulls in the OHL, when the Boston Bruins made him the 21st overall pick in 1995.

He'd continue his development in junior with Belleville, but the 1995-96 season saw him traded twice. The Bulls sent him to the Sarnia Sting, and the Bruins included him in a swap with Mariusz Czerkawski & a 1st round pick, for Conn Smythe winning goalie Bill Ranford.

1996-97 saw Brown turn pro, and terrorize the AHL. In 61 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs he racked up 238 PIMs. He also made his NHL debut, playing in 5 games for the Oilers.

After another season mostly in the minors, Brown was a full-time member of the Oilers in 1998-99. He set career highs in 1999-00 with 72 games played, and 192 PIMs, and 12 points.

2001-02 saw Brown hit a career high with 6 goals with the Oilers, but at the NHL traded deadline, he'd be shipped back to Boston in exchange for Bobby Allen.

He left Boston after the 02-03 season, and joined the New Jersey Devils. He'd play the season there, missed a year due to the lockout, and then resumed his career in New Jersey in 2005-06. He'd be a deadline trade once again, when he was sent to the Vancouver Canucks where he finsihed the season.

After that, Sean would head overseas where he played two seasons in Germany, and three seasons in Austria before retiring.

He joined the coaching staff of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings in 2012-13, and since 2019 he's been a coach with the AJHL's Drayton Valley Thunder. He's also been running his own Hockey School "Breakout Hockey" since 2011.

Pictured are Brown's Donruss RC, a BAP Autograph, and an Enforcers Combatants dual jersey card, featuring him & Brad May.

Bob Essensa

After the Winnipeg Jets made Bob Essensa the 68th pick in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, he star for Michigan State University for the next four years, where he was a two time all-star.

He'd go pro in 1987, and spent the season in the AHL. The 88-89 season saw him play in the IHL, but he also made his NHL debut with the Jets, playing in 20 games.

The 1989-90 season saw Essensa spend most of the year in the NHL. He played in 36 games and had a record of 18-9-5. He represented Canada at the 1990 World Championships.

By 1990-91, he was a full-fledged NHL starter, and he played in 55 games. 1991-92 he put up a 21-17-6 record, and earned a Vezina nomination. 1992-93 saw him set career highs with 67 games, and 33 wins. Then things started to unravel.

He was the #1 netminder on a week team, and wasn't having a great 1993-94 season. Then he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings were a contender, and had been burned by goaltending the year before.

Things didn't go well in Detroit either. He put up a 4-7-2 record in the regular season, and lost the starting job to Chris Osgood.

The Red Wings then brought in Mike Vernon to tandem with Osgood, so Essensa spent the next two seasons in the minors.

In 1996 he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He was used a backup for his three seasons in Edmonton, but played in 39 games in 98-99 and hit double digit wins.

He'd leave in 1999, and for the next three years he got one year contracts to play as a backup, in Phoenix, Vancouver, and finally Buffalo. He was never able to turn back into the star starting goalie he once was, but played as a solid backup for the later half of his career.

Essensa retired after the 2001-02 season.

Since 2005, Bob has been the goalie coach for the Boston Bruins.

Pictured are Essensa's 1990-91 OPC Premier RC, a BTP Glove & Auto, and a BAP Autograph.

GreirMike

Mike Greir

Mike Greir was drafted in the 9th round of the 1993 NHL Entry draft by the St. Louis Blues. He'd go on to play three seasons at Boston University.

Greir's second season at Boston saw him score 29 goals, and 55 points, in 37 games. Before his third season started, his rights were traded to Edmonton along with Curtis Joseph, in lieu of the draft picks the Blues owed the Oilers for signing Shayne Corson.

Greir would turn pro in 1996-97, and never spent a day in the minors. He scored 15 goals and 17 assists as a rookie. The 1998-99 season saw him set career highs with 20 goals & 24 assists.

Nicknamed "Rosey", he'd play 6 seasons with the Oilers where his gritty style made him a fan favourite. Prior to the start of the 02-03 season, Greir was dealt to the Washington Capitals for 2nd & 3rd round draft picks.

He'd played two seasons with the Caps, but was traded at the NHL trade deadline in 2004 to Buffalo.

Greir would finish the year with the Sabres, and play another season there, before leaving as a free agent to sign with the San Jose Sharks.

Rosie played three seasons in San Jose, before signing to return to Buffalo where it played the final two seasons of his career.

He was an incredibly durable forward. In 15 NHL seasons he played in all 82 games 4 times, 4 more seasons with 78+ games, and never played in fewer than 62. He retired in 2011 with 1,060 regular season games under his belt.

Greir was the first African American player to have been exclusively trained in the USA, and he represented the USA on two occasions: The 1995 World Junior Championships & the 2004 World Championships where the USA won bronze.

While hockey is not something that ran in his family, athletics did. His father Bobby was a running back for the New England Patriots, and an executive for both the Pats & the Houston Texans. He brother Chris is the GM of the Miami Dolphins, and his uncle Roosevelt (also nicknamed 'Rosey') was a Pro Bowl Defensive Lineman for the New York Giants & the LA Rams.

Pictured are Greir's Flair Rookie Card, a BAP Autograph, and a UD Game Jersey card.

Joe Hulbig

At 6'3", Joe Hulbig was another projected power forward for the Edmonton Oilers, after they drafted him 13th overall in 1992 out of Saint Sebastian's prep-School where he put up 43 points in just 17 games in 1991-92.

He'd head to Providence College next, where he played for four seasons, and was named a conference All Star in 1996.

He turned pro in the 1996-97 season. He scored 18 times with 28 assists for the Hamilton Bulldogs, and made his NHL debut with the Oilers, playing in 6 games.

Hulbig played in 17 games for Edmonton the following season, scoring the first two goals of his NHL career, but just 1 game in 1998-99, despite having success in the AHL.

He hit free agency, and signed with the Boston Bruins. He set a career high with 24 games played with Boston, scoring twice along with a pair of helpers.

He played 7 more games for the Bruins in 2000-01, and they'd be his last in the NHL. He left the Boston system after that and played two seasons with the Albany River Rats in the AHL before retiring in 2004.

The two cards pictured of Joe are from the 1997-98 insert set "Best Kept Secrets" from Pacific Dynagon. One copy is signed.

Steve Kelly

At 6'2", Steve Kelly looked to be the prototypical power forward in junior. He put up 31 goals, 72 points, and 153 PIMs in 94-95 with the Prince Albert Raiders. The Oilers made him the 6th overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, ahead of the likes of Shane Doan & Jarome Iginla.

What did Kelly do in his final season in the WHL? His numbers improved to 101 points, and 203 PIMs. The hype from the season before appeared to be real.

1996-97 saw Steve turn pro. He spent most of the year with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, but he made his debut with the Oilers, playing 8 games and scoring his first NHL goal.

He played just 19 games for the Oilers the following season, before he was traded to Tampa Bay with Jason Bonsignore for Roman Hamrlik. He'd skate in 24 games for the Lightning that year.

After a disappointing 98-99 season, Tampa traded him to New Jersey for a draft pick, as the 99-00 season was about to start.

Kelly spent nearly the entire season in the minors, playing well for the Albany River Rats. He logged just a single regular season game with the Devils. Injuries in the playoffs lead to Kelly being called into action. He played 10 games for the Devils in the post season, and he hoisted the Stanley Cup with New Jersey.

Midway through the 2000-01 season, he was traded to the Los Angles Kings. Kelly remained in the Kings system until the end of 2003-04 season - which happened to be his best one as a pro. He scored 21 goals, 70 points, and had 117 PIMs in 59 games for the Manchester Monarchs. He played in the 2004 AHL All Star Game.

He moved to Europe after that, and found success playing the next four seasons in Germany. He'd come back to North America in 2007 and signed with the Minnesota Wild. He spent most of the season in the AHL, but played a couple of games for them at the end of the season. Those would be his last in the National Hockey League.

Kelly signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but never played for the big club. In 2009 he opted to return to Germany, instead of spending another season in Syracuse. He had 3 points in his first 2 games of the season, but suffered a season ending injury, and he decided to return home and retire from hockey.

Pictured are Kelly's Fleer Metal Rookie Card, and his Classic 4-Sport Autograph

Andrei Kovalenko

Andrei Kovalenko joined CSKA Moscow as a teenager in 1988, playing against the best Soviet players. He was selected in the 8th round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, but the Quebec Nordiques.

He'd represent the Soviet Union at the 1990 World Junior Championships, helping his country win Silver. He was a member of the Soviet squad at the 1991 Canada Cup, and of the Unified team that won gold at the 1992 Winter Olympics. He also played for Russia at the 1992 World Championships.

After only a few games with Moscow in the 1992-93 season, and the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kovalenko took his act to North America, and joined the Nordiques.

With Quebec, he'd pop 27 goals and 68 points, as a rookie skating in 81 games. He earned the nickname "Tank" due to how difficult it was to move him in front of the net.

He played the next two seasons in Quebec, and moved with the team to Colorado in 1995. He started the season off well, scoring 11 times (22 points) in 26 games. Then the Avalanche included him in one of the biggest blockbuster deals of the decade: Kovalenko was traded along with Martin Rucinsky & Jocelyn Thibault to the Montreal Canadiens for Mike Keane and Patrick Roy.

The Habs traded him before the 96-97 season started, sending him to the Edmonton Oilers for Scott Thornton.

Kovalenko would set a career high of 32 goals with the Oilers in 1996-97, but had a disappointing season in 97-98 with just 6.

The 1998-99 season saw him score 13 in 43 games with the Oilers, before he was traded to Philadelphia for Alexandre Daigle (who was immediately flipped to Tampa Bay, for Alexander Selivanov). With the Flyers Kovalenko played just 13 games and was traded again. He was sent to the Carolina Hurricans for Adam Burt.

He'd have a decent 99-00 season with the 'Canes, scoring 15 times. He'd then leave as a free agent, and join the Boston Bruins. Kovalenko's 16 goals in 76 games in 2000-01 were the last of his NHL career. He'd head home to Russia after that, where he played 7 more seasons before retiring.

Kovalenko scored the last goal in the history of the Montreal Forum, and the first goal in the history of Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena (now PNC Arena). Today, he's the Chairman of the KHL Player's Association.

Pictured are Kovalenko's 1992-93 Fleer Ultra RC, and his 98-99 BAP Autograph.

Mats Lindgren

Mats Lindgren was the 15th overall pick by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. After a strong performance at the 1994 World Junior Championships, and playing at nearly a point-per-game place in the Swedish Elite League, Lindgren was considered one of the top prospects in hockey.

The Jets would deal Lindgren to the Edmonton Oilers, along with Boris Mironov & draft picks, for Dave Manson.

Mats would play 13 games in Cape Breton in the 95-96 season, scoring 7 times for a total of 12 points. He made his NHL debut in 1996-97, scoring 11 goals and 14 assists in 69 games for the Oilers.

Lindgren played in all 82 Oilers games in 1997-98, putting up 13 goals & 13 assists. Good numbers, and he was a useful player, but they weren't the kind of numbers that scouts expected from him.

1998-99 saw him play 48 games with Edmonton, before he was traded to the New York Islanders for Tommy Salo. He'd finish the season on Long Island, and played three more seasons with the Isles as a part-time player.

Lindgren hit free agency and signed with the Vancouver Canucks for the 2002-03 season. He played in 54 NHL contests, scoring 5 times for 14 points.

Injuries had been blamed for Lindgren's disappointing totals thus far, and a back injury kept him out of the 03-04 season. After the NHL lockout ended, Lindgren officially retired, at the age of 30.

In addition to the pair of World Junior Championships, Lindgren represented Sweden at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Pictured are Lindgren's 1993-94 Parkhurst Rookie Card, a 1997-98 BAP Autograph, and a Private Stock Jersey card.

Dan McGillis

Dan McGillis had a good junior career with the Hawkesbury Hawks, and was drafted in the 10th round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He'd head to Northeaster University next, where he played four seasons.

During his senior year, the Red Wings dealt McGillis to the Edmonton Oilers for Kirk Maltby. He turned pro in 1996, and made his NHL debut with the Oilers in 1996-97, playing in 73 games.

He was among the league leaders in hits in each of his first two seasons in Edmonton, but at NHL trade deadline in 1998 (almost two years to the day since they acquired him) McGillis was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, along with a draft pick, for Janne Niinimaa.

With the Flyers, McGillis continued to develop into a strong blueliner. He was feared in his own end, continued to be among the leaders in hits each season, and set career highs with 14 goals and 49 points in 2000-01, when he was named top defenceman on the Flyers.

Midway through his 6th season with the Flyers, 02-03, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He played just 37 games in California, before being dealt to the Boston Bruins.

McGillis' tenure in Boston was 10 games that season, and all 80 the following year. After the 2004-05 lockout, McGillis signed with the New Jersey Devils, but played just 27 games for them, spending a good portion of the season in the AHL. He'd head to Germany after that, where he played three seasons with the Mannheim Eagles, and retired in 2010.

McGillis was a multi-time All Star in college, and represented Canada at the 2002 World Championships.

Pictured are McGillis' Pacific Crown Collection Rookie Card, and his 1997-98 BAP Autograph.

Craig Millar

Defenceman Craig Millar was the other half of the aforementioned Miroslav Satan trade. He was drafted in the 9th round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He'd play two more years of junior, scoring 31 goals & 77 points in his final season with the Swift Current Broncos.

Millar would turn pro in the 1996-97 season, and played 64 games for Buffalo's AHL team in Rochester, before being traded to Edmonton. He'd play 10 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL, and made his NHL debut with the Oilers, playing a single game.

Craig would spend most of the next two seasons in the minors, but did play in 11 NHL contests in 1997-98, scoring his first four NHL goals. After a 24 games stint with Edmonton in 98-99, he'd be traded to the Nashville Predators at the '99 draft for a 3rd round pick.

He played just 8 games in the minors in 99-00, having his best NHL season yet. Millar posted totals of 3 goals & 14 points in 57 games with Nashville.

The following season saw him play in just 5 games for the Preds, before he was claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay. With the Lightning he played 16 NHL games, but was traded to Ottawa at the trade deadline. He never actually played for the Senators - he was added as a depth piece - and was a free agent at the end of the season.

Millar would head to Europe next, where he split the season with club teams in Germany & Slovakia. He'd retire at the end of the 2001-02 season.

Pictured are Millar's 1997-98 SP Authentic Rookie Card, and his 1997-98 BAP Autograph.

Barrie Moore

At 5'11", Barrie Moore was the prototypical small/skilled forward that NHL clubs didn't give much of a chance to in the 1990s. He had a 39 point season with the Sudbury Wolves before being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, 220th overall in 1993.

He followed that up with a 36g / 85 point season, and then a 47 goal / 89 point season to end his junior career.

In 1995-96 he'd score 26 goals for Rochester in the AHL, and made his NHL debut with Buffalo, playing in three games for the Sabres.

1996-97 saw Moore spend a big chunk of the season in the minors, but he did score his first two NHL goals over 31 games with Buffalo. He was also part of the Miroslav Satan trade, and dealt to the Edmonton Oilers.

Moore played four pointless games with the Oilers in 1996-97, while contributing 7 points in 9 games with Cape Breton.

The 1997-98 season saw Barrie play 70 games for Edmonton's relocated AHL club, the Hamilton Bulldogs. He scored 22 times, for 51 points.

The Oilers would trade him to Washington in February of 1999. He was good winger for their AHL club in Portland, and got a one game call-up with the Capitals in 99-00. That would be his last game in the NHL.

Moore would split the 00-01 season between the Manitoba Moose of the IHL, and the Manchester Storm of the British Super League. From 2001 through 2005 he'd play a mix of ECHL, AHL, and UHL games. He'd finish his career with four seasons playing for the Coventry Blaze in the English Hockey League. He retired in 2009.

Pictured are Moore's Edge Ice AHL card (he never got an NHL RC), and a signed copy of his 91-92 7th Inning Sketch.

Rem Murray

After playing junior hockey with the Stratford Cullitons, Rem "The Gem" Murray went to the NCAA and joined the Michigan State Spartans, where he was named to the CCHA All-Rookie team for the 1991-92 season, and was drafted in the 8th round by the Los Angles Kings.

He'd play three more seasons at Michigan State, where he was an All Star, but was never signed by the Kings. He'd ink a free agent deal with the Edmonton Oilers in 1995, and was assigned to Cape Breton.

With the AHL Oilers, he led the team in scoring as a rookie, posting totals of 31 goals & 90 points. He made his NHL debut the following season, playing in all 82 games in 1996-97 - scoring 11 times.

Murray may not have been a scoring star with the Oilers, but his speed made him a great penalty killer, and he was able to provide some scoring from the third line. 1998-99 was the most productive of his NHL career, when he scored 21 goals & had 39 points. In 2001 he also represented Canada at the World Championships.

The Oilers would trade him to the New York Rangers in 2002, along with Tom Poti, for Mike York & a draft pick. He didn't finish the season with the Rangers, he was traded again to Nashville, this time for goalie Mike Dunham.

A neck injury ended Murray's 2003-04 season early, and it looked like it would force him into retirement. He took the 04-05 season off, but was determined to get back to hockey.

He played for the Houston Aeros on an AHL contract in 2005-06. After putting up 35 points in 54 games, he was offered a contract by the Edmonton Oilers. His 2nd stint with Edmonton saw him play just 9 regular season games, but he skated in 24 playoff games - as the Oilers nearly won a Stanley Cup.

Murray would wind down his career in Europe. He played two seasons in Finland, one in Austria, one in Italy, and then returned to Austria for two more seasons. His club team in Austria, HC Innsbruck, retired his jersey after the 2011-12 season.

Murray has the uniqueness of wearing three different jersey numbers with the Oilers. He started out with #17, but switched to #16 after the former was retired in honour of Jari Kurri. When he joined the Oilers in 05-06 #16 was already taken by Jarret Stoll, so he wore #22.

Pictured are Murray's Black Diamond Rookie Card, and his BAP Autograph.

Michel Petit

Michel Petit was a star defenceman in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Castors, before being drafted 11th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 1982.

He made his NHL debut in 82-83, playing twice for the Canucks, but played the bulk of the season with the Castors, who had be relocated to St. Jean.

Petit set a career high with 12 goals in 1986-87 with Vancouver, but would be traded to the New York Rangers in 87-88. This was the first time Petit was traded, but it wouldn't be the last.

He was traded again in 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1995. This saw him join the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, and Tampa Bay Lightning. By the end of the 1995-96 season, Petit had parts of 14 NHL seasons under his belt, with 7 different clubs.

He joined the Oilers for the 1996-97 season for 18 games, and the Philadelphia Flyers for 20. In both cases he was good enough to make the team, but wasn't valued enough to stick with either club.

1997-98 saw him join the Phoenix Coyotes for 32 games. This was the 10th NHL club of Petit's career, which was a record at the time. It's a mark that's since been tied by 5 others, and bested by 1 (Mike Sillinger, who played for 12 teams)

Petit would play another four seasons in the IHL, Germany, and Italy before retiring in 2002.

Shown here are Petit's 1987-88 OPC Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his 1991-92 Upper Deck.





1997-98

Ladyslav Benysek

Ladyslav Benysek was taken by the Edmonton Oilers in the 11th round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

He turned pro the following year, and emigrated to North America. He joined the Oilers farm team in Cape Breton, where he played 58 games.

Benysek would return home to the Czech Republic after that, where he spend the next three seasons. He'd come across the pond again, and made his NHL debut with the Oilers, playing in two games.

He was claimed on waivers by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, but he remained assigned to Hamilton in the AHL where he spent the season again.

Benysek went back to the Czech Republic again, and played another two seasons for Sparta Praha.

After being claimed in the 2000 expansion draft by the Minnesota Wild, he'd come back to North America and finally stuck with an NHL club. He played 71 games for the expansion Wild, and another 74 in 2001-02.

The 02-03 season saw him play 14 NHL games, and he spent most of the year in Houston (AHL). He was done in North America after that, but played another 9 seasons in Europe, with stops in Finland, Sweden, France, Denmark, Italy, England, and his native Czech Republic.

Benysek retired in 2013.

Pictured are Benysek's BAP Memorabilia RC, and a signed custom card of him, showing him as an Oiler.

Drake Berehowsky

Despite an injury that limited him to only 9 games in his draft eligible season, Drake Berehowsky was selected 10th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1990.

He had a strong season in junior in 90-91, split between the Kingston Frontenacs & North Bay Centennials. He was called up to the Maple Leafs after the OHL season ended, and he'd record his first NHL points while playing in 8 games for the Buds.

1991-92 saw Drake back in junior, where the defenceman put up 82 points in 62 games, plus another 31 points in 21 playoff games. He got another late season NHL call up, and played another game for the Maple Leafs, before joining the AHL St. John's Maple Leafs for the playoffs.

He split the 1992-93 season between St. John's & Toronto - playing in 41 NHL games, and scored 4 goals & 19 points. 93-94 was another season split between the big club & the minors.

1994-95 was Berehowsky's first without any time in the minors, but after a late season trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins, for Grant Jennings, he found himself in the press box more often than not. 1995-96 saw him play just one game for the Penguins, he spent most of the season with the Cleveland Lumberjacks.

After a 96-97 season that saw him play exclusively in the minors, Berehowsky inked a free agent deal with the Edmonton Oilers. While he did have a brief stint with the Hamilton Bulldogs (8 games) he set a new career high with 67 NHL games played.

Just prior to the start of the 98-99 season, Berehowsky was traded again. Edmonton packed him with Greg deVries & Eric Fichaud, and sent him to the Nashville Predators for Jim Dowd & Mikhail Shtalenkov.

He spent 2+ seasons as a regular on Nashville's blueline. The 99-00 season was the best of his NHL career, when he set career highs with 79 games, 12 goals, and 20 assists. He was traded to Vancouver at the 2001 NHL trade deadline.

After less than a year with the Canucks, he was traded again to the Phoenix Coyotes. An injury during the 02-03 season cost him most of the year, and he found himself a free agent again.

Berehowsky would rejoin the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 03-04 season, before a late season trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played a year in Sweden after that, and finsihed his career in 2006 playing in Germany.

He moved behind the bench after that. First as an assistant with the Barrie Colts, then with the Peoria Rivermen. He was named head coach of the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears in 2012-13, but left after a season to take the same role with the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes.

He was later an associate coach with the Sudbury Wolves, and in 2016 he went back to Orlando. He's been the head coach of the Solar Bears for the past four seasons.

Pictured are Berehowsky's Upper Dec RC, a BAP autograph, as Superlative First Round Pick jersey card, and an OPC Chrome, showing him with the Oilers.

Jason Bowen

At 6'4" Jason Bowen was a hulking defenceman with the Tri-City Americans in the WHL. He had 7 goals, 20 points, and 252 PIMs in 60 games as a 17 year old in 1990-91. His next season was cut short due to injury, when he scored 5 times and had 135 PIMs in just 19 games. The Philadelphia Flyers would then make him the 15th overall pick in 1992.

The pick used for Bowen was included in a massive three team swap in February of 1992. The Flyers got the LA Kings' 1st round pick & Brian Benning, plus Mark Recchi from Pittsburgh. The Penguins would get Jeff Chychrun from the Kings, plus Kjell Samuelsson, Rick Tocchet, and Ken Wregget from the Flyers. Los Angles got Paul Coffey.

He made his NHL debut with the Flyers in the 1992-93 season, playing 7 games and scoring once. He spent most of the season back in junior with Tri-City.

Bowen was a full-time member of the Flyers roster in 93-94, playing in 56 games, but then he'd spend the next three seasons mostly in the AHL, with the occasional call-up.

After starting the season with the Philadelphia Phantoms in the AHL, Bowen was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for Brantt Myhres. He spent most of the season with Hamilton in the AHL, but played four games (10 PIMs) for Edmonton.

1998-99 saw Bowen return to the Bulldogs, and without an NHL call-up. He'd leave the Oilers' organization after that, and split the next season between Hershey & Saint John in the AHL.

In 2000, Jason continued his career in the British league. He played two seasons with the Belfast Giants, split a season between the Guildford Flames & Ayr Scottish Eagles, and then after three more seasons in Belfast he retired in 2006.

Pictured are Bowen's Pinnacle Rookie Card, and his Classic Autograph.

Boyd Devereaux

Boyd Devereaux was a star centre for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. The Edmonton Oilers would make him the 6th overall pick of the 1996 NHL Entry draft. He follow up the high pick with his best OHL season yet, and he also represented Canada at the 1997 World Junior Championships, where he scored the winning goals in both the semi-final vs Russia, and the final vs the USA, to lead Canada to its 5th straight gold medal.

Devereaux made his pro debut with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 96-97, playing in a single playoff game. His 97-98 season started off with an injury. He was hit in the temple with a puck in the first game of the season for the Bulldogs.

Boyd would put the head issues behind him, for the time being, and played 14 games for Hamilton that year, and was also called up to the Oilers for 38 games - when he scored his first NHL goal.

The 98-99 season saw him play 7 games in the minors, and 61 with the Oilers. He wasn't putting up the offensive numbers that the Oilers had hoped for, but Devereaux had turned himself into a very good two way NHL centre.

The 99-00 season was Devereaux's best yet in the NHL. He played 76 games for the Oilers, scored 8 times, and set a career high with 27 points. Another head injury late in the season caused him to miss the final four games, and seriously consider retirement.

He spent the off season working with team doctors, and other medical experts - but Boyd's future as a professional hockey player was in doubt. The Oilers did not make him a qualifying offer, and left him unprotected in the expansion draft (and he went unclaimed).

By the fall of 2000, Devereaux had done the work, and was ready to resume a career that many thought was over. He was a free agent, and signed with the Detroit Red Wings.

He'd play four seasons in Detroit, and scored a career high 9 gaols in 2001-02, while playing in a career best 79 games. He also scored twice in 21 playoff games that year, and Detroit would win the Stanley Cup.

After the lockout season of 2004-05, Devereaux signed with the Phoenix Coyotes for a season. He'd leave after a season as a free agent once again, and signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Devereaux split the 06-07 season between the Leafs and the Marlies. He was a full-time member of the Leafs roster in 07-08 when he played 62 games for the Buds.

2008-09 would be his final season in North America. He started the season off with the Marlies, but would be recalled in February. He played the rest of the year with the Maple Leafs, and had a hat trick in the season finale against Ottawa.

Boyd joined Lugano in Switzerland for the 2009-10 season. He was playing in the annual Spengler Cup when he was hit in the head again. X-rays showed he'd broken a vertebrae in his neck. After returning home to Canada, Maple Leaf team doctors worked with him to get surgery and repair it - but his hockey career was over.

In 2011 Devereaux and his Partner Tanith Belbin finished 3rd in the CBC competition show "Battle of the Blades" which pairs a professional figure skater, with a retired hockey player.

Pictured are Devereaux's Black Diamond Rookie Card, and his BAP Autograph.

Bobby Dollas

The Winnipeg Jets selected Bobby Dollas in the 1st round, 14th overall, in the 1983 NHL Entry drafted, after the defenceman put up nearly a point-per-game with the Laval Voisins in the QMJHL.

He made his NHL debut in the 1983-84 season, playing a single game before being returned to junior, where he helped Laval capture the QMJHL championship.

He'd get another 9 game stint with the Jets in 84-85, but his first full pro season was in 1985-86. That year he'd played 46 games for the Jets, registering his first NHL points.

After spending the entire 86-87 season in the minors, he was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. He played 25 games for the Nords over the next two seasons, spending most of the time in the minors.

The 89-90 season saw him play for the Canadian National team, when he logged 68 games for Canada. This was his second time representing his country, he was part of the Canadian gold medal winning World Junior Championship team in 1985.

His season with Canada impressed the Detroit Red Wings enough to offer him a contract. He played 56 games for the Wings in 90-91, and scored his first 3 NHL goals. He was a part time player for the Wings in 91-92, with a brief time in the minors. 1992-93 saw him skate in just 6 NHL games, he spent most of the season with Adirondack in the AHL.

1993 also brought Dollas a new opportunity. He was selected by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the NHL Expansion draft. He's immediately become a full time member of the Ducks' blueline, logging 77 games and scored 9 goals & 11 assists in the 93-94 season: All new career highs. 1994 saw Dollas skate for Canada once again - he helped Canada win it's first World Championship Gold Medal since 1961.

Dollas wouldn't match the 9 goal season again, but he came close two seasons later when he scored 8. He played in all 82 games of the 95-96 season, and set a career high with 30 points.

Part way through the 97-98 season, the Ducks traded Dollas to the Edmonton Oilers for Drew Bannister. He played 30 games for the Oilers, and was traded to Pittsburgh the following summer, along with Tony Hrkac, for Josef Beranek.

After a season in Pittsburgh, Dollas was once again a free agent. He signed with the Ottawa Senators, but played just single game for them, before being claimed on waivers by the Calgary Flames. Next he'd sign with the San Jose Sharks. He didn't finish the season there either, he was traded to Pittsburgh at the NHL trade deadline.

Dollas would spent the next three years playing senior hockey in the QSPHL, and finished his career playing two seasons in the LNAH. He retired in 2006. Today he's a Habs commentator, on TSN 690 in Montreal.

Pictured are Dollas' Topps Stadium Club RC, and his BAP Autograph.

Scott Ferguson

A rugged defenceman with the WHL's Kamloops Blazers, Scott Ferguson went undrafted despite a WHL All-Star selection. He did get an invite to training camp with the Edmonton Oilers in 1994.

He earned himself a contract, and spent his first pro season with Cape Breton in the AHL. He played exclusively with the baby Oilers again in 1995-96, and made the move with the team in 1996 when they became the Hamilton Bulldogs.

The 1997-98 season saw Ferguson make his NHL debut, playing a single game for the Oilers. He was traded to Ottawa at the deadline for Frank Musil, but remained with the Bulldogs for the rest of the season. He'd leave after the year as a free agent.

Scott joined the Anaheim Might Ducks organization. He played most of the season with their AHL club in Cincinnati, but made two more NHL appearances. The 99-00 saw him play another season in the AHL, before hitting free agency again.

Ferguson would once again sign with Edmonton, and became a bigger piece of their NHL roster. He'd log 20 NHL games in 00-01, while still spending time with Hamilton. The 2001-02 season saw him take on the 6th / 7th defenceman role with the club, but he was a full time NHLer. He logged 78 NHL games in 2002-03, along with 3 goals, 5 assists, and 120 PIMs. They would all be career highs for him.

The lockout of 2004-05 saw Ferguson head to Sweden to play. When the lockout ended he joined the Minnesota Wild, for whom he played 15 games in 05-06, while spending most of the season with the AHL's Houston Aeros. He'd play another season in the AHL with Worcester, and then spent the final season of his career playing for Ingolstady in Germany. He'd retire from hockey in 2008.

Pictured are two copies of Ferguson's Pacific Rookie Card, one is signed. There's also a copy of his ITG Action, showing him as a member of the Edmonton Oilers.

Scott Fraser

After his rookie season at Dartmouth College, the Montreal Canadiens drafted Scott Fraser 193rd overall in 1991. He'd play three more seasons with Dartmouth, and was an ECAC all star in 1992-93 when he scored 44 points in 26 games. He also played for the Canadian National team in both 92-93 and 93-94.

Fraser went pro in 1994-95, and scored 23 goals & 48 points with the Fredericton Canadiens in the AHL. 1995-96 saw him have even more AHL success, as he scored 37 goals & 74 points in 58 games. He also earned an NHL call-up, scoring twice in 14 games.

He was traded to Calgary in 1996, and wound up splitting the season between Fredericton, the Saint John Flames (AHL), the Carolina Monarchs (AHL), and the San Antonio Dragons (IHL). Then he hit free agency.

Scott would sign a 1 year pact with the Edmonton Oilers. He scored 29 times for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, and played 29 games for the Oilers. In the NHL he played at nearly a point-per-game pace, with 12 goals & 11 helpers in 29 games.

He'd then sign a $4 million, 3 year deal, with the New York Rangers. He started the 1998-99 season off slow, scoring just twice in 28 games for New York. He was reassigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack where he had 37 points in 36 games. Following the 98-99 season, Fraser retired from hockey.

Pictured are two copies of Fraser's Pacific Rookie Card, including one copy he was kind enough to sign for me TTM.

Doug Friedman

Doug Friedman played for Boston University in the NCAA, where he was named team Captain in his final year, 1993-94. The Quebec Nordiques made him the 222nd overall pick in 1991, and he turned pro with their AHL club, the Cornwall Aces, in 1994.

After two seasons with the Aces, Friedman would join the Hershey Bears of the AHL for the 96-97 season, where the winger posted totals of 12 goals, 21 assists, and 245 PIMs in 61 games.

He'd sign with the Edmonton Oilers for the 1997-98 season. He spent the bulk of the year with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, but played 16 games for the Oilers, with 20 PIMs.

He'd be selected by the Nashville Predators in the NHL Expansion draft, and played a pair of games for them in 98-99. Those would turn out to be the final NHL games of Doug's career. After a few more seasons in the minors, he retired in 2001.

Since retiring, Friedman has gone into coaching & development. He's currently the head coach of the Twin City Thunder in the USPHL.

Pictured are Friedman's 99-00 Kentucky Thoroughblades team issue, and a signed copy of his 98-99 Milwaukee Admirals team issue. Doug was kind enough to sigh that one ttm for me.

Bill Guerin

The New Jersey Devils made Bill Guerin the 5th overall pick in 1989, after he scored 32 goals in 31 games for the Springfield Olympics of the (now defunct) New England Junior Hockey League.

He'd play two seasons with Boston College, helping Boston win the NCAA Hockey East Championship in 1990, and turned pro in 1991. He played 22 games for the Utica Devils, and in 5 for New Jersey, registering his first NHL assist.

He played 18 more games in the AHL in 1992-93, which would end up being his last in the minors. He had a 65 game rookie season, scoring 14 times for New Jersey.

Guerin was a star power forward for the Devils over the next four seasons, the only time he didn't break the 20 goal mark was the shortened 94-95 season. His best year in New Jersey came in 96-97, when he scored 29 goals, and he was part of the Devils squad that won the Stanley Cup in 1995.

Mid way through the 97-98 season, Guerin was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He was sent along with Valari Zelepukin for Jason Arnott and Bryan Muir. He'd score 13 times, for 29 points, in the Oilers remaining 40 games.

Billy the Butcher would be a key member of the Oilers for the next few seasons. He teamed with fellow American Doug Weight to form an incredibly dangerous line. He hit the 30 goal mark for the first time in his career in 1998-99.

Like Jason Arnott before him, Guerin's play was soon to price him out of Edmonton's budget. After having scored 12 goals in the Oilers' first 21 games, he was traded to the Boston Bruins for Anson Carter, and a swap of picks (the pick swap favoured the Oilers). He'd add another 28 for Boston that season, his first 40 goal year in the NHL.

He'd best that number by one again the next season, and scored 41 for the Bruins. He'd then walk as a free agent, and joined the Dallas Stars.

Guerin put up seasons of 25 & 34 goals with Dallas, before the NHL lockout wiped out the 04-05 season. Still under contract he returned to Dallas in 05-06, but scored a disappointing 13 goals. The Stars bought out the remaining year on his contract after that.

Guerin would sign with the St Louis Blues, where he was reunited with his Oilers' line mate Doug Weight. Guerin's career was revived, and he scored 29 goals for St. Louis that year, before being traded to the San Jose Sharks at the deadline, where he scored another 8.

A free agent once again, Guerin joined the New York Islanders where he posted 23 goals in his first season, and was named team Captain. Near the end of his second season in New York, he was traded to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. With the Penguins, he won his second Stanley Cup in 2009.

Guerin resigned for one more season in Pittsburgh, and scored 21 times in 2009-10. He'd retire at the end of the season with 429 career goals, in 1,263 games played.

In addition to being a two time Stanley Cup Champion, Guerin was a four time all star, and was named the all star game MVP in 2001.

He represented the USA on 7 occasions: The '89 & '90 World Junior Championships, the '96 and '04 World Cups, and the '98, '02, and '06 Olympic Games: Earning an Olympic Silver, and both Silver & Gold at the World Cup.

In 2011, Guerin was hired in a player development role by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was promoted to assistant GM in 2014. After consecutive Stanley Cups in 2016 & 2017, Guerin`s role expanded and he was made GM of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL. In 2019 he'd leave the Penguins organization, and is now the General Manager of the Minnesota Wild.

Guerin gets 5 cards in my collection, which is fairly uncommon, as there's normally just four attributes (RC, Auto, GU, shown as an Oiler) that I'm looking four. All four of those are there with his 92-93 UD Rookie Card, his 97-98 BAP Autograph, a 2000 Revolution Ice Blue, and an 07-08 UD Big Play Makers jersey. What's also included is his 1991-92 Parkhurst XRC. For the few players that actually have them, I do enjoy the XRC cards, and the weird quirk they are within the hobby.

Tony Hrkac

Tony Hrkac opted not to go the traditional path to the NHL for Ontario kids. He never played major junior After scoring 52 goals in 42 games for the Orillia Travelways of the OPJHL, he was made the 32nd overall pick by the St. Louis Blues in 1984.

He enrolled at the University of North Dakota and played the 1984-85 season there. He'd spend the 1985-86 season with the Canadian National team, and then returned in school for 86-87. That season, he put up totals of 46 goals & 116 points in 48 games. His points still hold up as an NCAA record. He won the Hobey Baker award, and he & Ed Belfour led North Dakota to a national championship.

He also made his NHL debut in 1986-87, playing three games for the Blues in the playoffs.

1987-88 would see Hrkac become a full time member of the Blues, and he scored 11 times to go along with 37 assists. The 48 points he had that season would wind up being a career high, he never really met the lofty expectations everyone had for him.

He was relegated to a depth forward role, and bounced around the league a little bit. Between 1989 and 1994, he was traded three times and had stops in Quebec, San Jose, Chicago, and a second go round in St. Louis.

He'd head to the IHL in the 1994-95 season, and played the next three seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals, where he scored at a rate of over a point per game. After 22 points in 20 games with the IHL's Michigan K-Wings in 97-98, he was signed by the Dallas Stars.

Hrkac played just 13 games for the Stars, before he was put on waivers. The Edmonton Oilers claimed him. He'd play 36 games for Edmonton that year, scoring 8 times for 19 points. He'd also log 12 more games in the playoffs.

That off season, Hrkac was dealt with Bobby Dollas to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Josef Beranek, and then claimed by the Nashville Predators in the expansion draft. The Predators then traded him to Dallas.

He had a decent season in Dallas, scoring 13 goals (27 points) in 1998-99. He'd sign with the Islanders after that, but New York traded him to Anaheim after just 7 games in 1999-00.

The 00-01 season saw Hrkac hit double digit goals again, with 13, and his 38 points were his highest total since matching his career high with 48 in 1990-91.

2001-02 saw Tony join the Atlanta Thrashers. 15 years after he made his NHL debut, he set a career high with 18 goals, and broke the 40 point mark for the third time in his career. His numbers dipped in 02-03, and that was it for him in the NHL.

He played two more seasons with Milwaukee in the AHL, and retired in 2005. The Admirals would eventually retire Hrkac's number.

In 2008, at the age of 42, Hrkac came out of retirement and joined the Houston Aeros of the AHL. He was a part time player for them over the next two seasons, retiring for good in 2009.

Shown here are Tony's 1988-89 OPC Rookie Card, his BAP Autograph, and his 98-99 Pacific - that shows him as an Oiler. The Pacific is actually a really cool card. He only played part of a season in Edmonton, so this was the only card ever made of him in an Oilers uniform. The card has a Predators logo, as it was made after his selection at the expansion draft (June 26, 1998) but I suspect before his July 9th trade from Nashville to Dallas.

Bill Huard

Left Winger Bill Huard finished his junior career in 1987-88 with the Peterborough Petes, scoring 28 goals and 33 assists, while racking up 132 PIMs. Despite his junior success, he went undrafted.

He turned pro, and spent the season with the Carolina Thunderbirds of the ECHL, and the Flint Spirits of the IHL. He'd sign with the New Jersey Devils, and played most of the next three seasons in Utica, with their AHL affiliate.

1992-93 found him looking for a new opportunity, and he signed with the Boston Bruins. He'd become a known heavyweight in the minors, and spent most of the season with their AHL club in Providence, but made his NHL debut and played in a pair of games for Boston.

Huard would join the Ottawa Senators next, and for two seasons he never spent a day in the minors. He played 63 games for the Sens in 93-94, scoring twice to go along with 162 PIMs. They would trade him to the Quebec Nordiques in 1994-95.

Huard made the move with the club to Colorado, but on the eve of the season he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Stars. He'd have his most productive NHL season in 1995-96, scoring 6 times for the stars, while adding 6 assists and 176 PIMs.

His role was reduced the next season in Dallas, but he still had double digit points and broke the 100 PIM mark. He'd wind up a free agent again, and would sign with the Edmonton Oilers.

The 1997-98 season saw Huard play 30 games for the Oilers, where he recorded a single assist and 72 PIMs. He played much of the 98-99 season with the IHL's Houston Aeros, but did log another three games for the Oilers.

He'd join the LA Kings for the 1999-00 season, but spent more time with the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters (13 games) than he did with the Kings (just 1 game). He'd be dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers, but was never called up. He finsihed the year witht he IHL's Orlando Solar Bears.

Bill would join the London Knights of the British Super League for the 2000-01 season, but with a baby on the way at home, he opted out and returned home to Canada after just a single game. He retired following the 00-01 season.

Pictured are Huard's 93-94 Parkhurst RC, and his 97-98 BAP Autograph.

Georges Laraque

After terrorizing the QMJHL in 1994-95, both with his goal scoring and his fists, Georges Laraque was drafted 31st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1995.

He'd play one final season in junior, and showed the Oilers they made a great pick. He accumulated 20 goals, 24 assists, and 360 PIMs in 41 games split between three teams.

Georges turned pro in 1996-97 and played for the Hamilton Bulldogs. He picked up right where he left off in junior, playing the role of an enforcer who could score. 14 goals, 20 helpers, and 179 PIMs made for a successful rookie season.

1997-98 brought Laraque the opportunity to make his NHL debut, when he played in 11 games for the Oilers. He was still splitting time between the big club and the farm in 1998-99, but his NHL time increased: He played in 39 contests, and scored his first 3 NHL goals.

1999-00 was Laraque's first as a full-time NHLer. He played 76 games, and scored 8 times. He was quickly becoming one of the most feared fighters in the league. On February 21st of 2000, he recorded his first (and only) NHL hat trick, scoring three times against the LA Kings.

The next season would be his most productive in the NHL. He set career highs with 13 goals and 29 points, while playing in all 82 games. He'd set a career high with 157 PIMs the following season.

Laraque continued as a fan favourite in Edmonton for the next several years. He had a brief sting in Sweden during the 04-05 lockout, and was back with the Oilers in 2005-06. He nearly won the Stanley Cup with Edmonton in 2006, and then found himself a free agent after he & the Oilers couldn't come to terms on a new deal.

Georges would join the Phoenix Coyotes, but didn't last the season there. His former junior coach, Michel Therrien, wanted him as protection for two of the games biggest young stars: Evgeni Malkin & Sidney Crosby.

Laraque played the rest of the 06-07 season in Pittsburgh, and all of the 07-08, coming up just short of a Stanley Cup again.

Once again a free agent, he'd sign with his home town team after that, the Montreal Canadiens. Laraque played two seasons in Montreal, before retiring in 2010.

Since retirement, Laraque has remained in the public eye. He spent three years as the deputy leader of the Green Part of Canada. He fought a grappling match against MMA champion Georges St-Pierre. He's participated in CBC's Battle of the Blades, had a cameo in the 2011 film 'Goon', and most recently has challenge former World Heavy-Weight Champion Mike Tyson to a fight.

Shown are Laraque's 1999-00 Pacific Rookie Card, an SP Authentic SOTT autograph, and a UD Game Jersey.

Frantisek Musil

Frantisek (Frank) Musil represented Czechoslovakia five times as a junior; winning Silver at the '82 & '83 World Junior Championships, and Bronze in 1984. He also won a Silver at the 1983 World Championships, and Gold in 1985.

He did that while playing in the professional league in Czechoslovakia. He was taken 38th overall in the 1983 NHL Entry draft by the Minnesota North Stars. He was ranked much higher, but there were concerns he'd never be able to leave communist Czechoslovakia.

In the summer of 1986, Musil obtained a holiday visa for him & his girlfriend, and they travelled to Yugoslavia. He left their resort and met with Minnesota GM Lou Nanne, and agent Ritch Winter (who'd already arranged an American work visa). Lanne & Winter were able to use the work visa to fool border guards, as they were unaware that Musil was a defecting hockey star. Frank arrived in Minnesota that summer, and was ready to being his NHL career.

He'd spend the next four seasons as a regular on Minnesota's blueline, but only a couple of weeks into the 1990-01 season he was traded to Calgary, for Brian Glynn.

Musil played 67 games for the Flames that year, and would set career highs with 7 goals, and 21 points. He spent the following three seasons as a regular in Calgary, before returning home to the (now) Czech Republic where he played during the lockout.

After the 94-95 NHL lockout ended, Musil returned to the Flames for the shortened season. He'd be traded to the Ottawa Senators, for a pick, prior to the start of the 95-96 season.

He'd play two seasons in Ottawa, but wound up in the IHL for the 1997-98 season, until he was dealt by the Sens at the trade deadline to the Edmonton Oilers. Frank would score once, for three points, in 17 games with the Oilers down the stretch.

Musil would play another 39 games for Edmonton in 1998-99, and retired at the end of the season. He didn't hang his skates up for long though, he rejoined the Oilers for the 2000-01 season, which would be is last in the NHL. He played briefly in the Czech Republic during the 2001-02 season, before retiring for good.

Since retiring in 2001, Musil has been a scout with the Edmonton Oilers.

Athletics run strong in the Musil family. His wife, Andrea, was a former professional tennis player. Her brother is ex-NHLer Bobby Holik. Both of Musil's sons, David & Adam, were drafted by NHL clubs. David played for the Edmonton Oilers. His daughter, Danna, played collegiate volleyball for the University of Buffalo.

Musil played 797 NHL regular season games, and another 42 in the playoffs. He represented Czechoslovakia (and the Czech Republic) at total of 13 times, logging 83 games for his country.

Pictured are Musil's 89-90 OPC Rookie Card, his 01-02 BAP Autograph, and a 2019 Czech OFS Game Used Glove card (if you've never seen these products, check them out. Their premium GU stuff is comparable to The Cup in quality).

Janne Niinimaa

A star defenceman with Jokerit in Helsinki as a teenager, Janne Niinimaa was drafted in the 4th round of the 1993 NHL entry draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.

After his third season with Jokerit, Niinimaa came across the pond, and joined the Flyers. As a rookie he'd up up 44 points in 1996-97, was a +12, and named to the NHL's All Rookie Team.

Niinimaa continued to excel in Philly, but was traded at the 1998 NHL trade deadline to the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers wanted a slick skating puck mover, and the Flyers wanted to get tougher. Niinimaa was swapped for Dan McGillis and a 2nd round pick.

Over the next four seasons, Janne would play no fewer than 81 games for the Oilers. He put up career highs with 12 goals & 46 points in 2000-01.

In 2003, he was moved at the deadline again. This time it was Edmonton who wanted to get tougher. Niinimaa was traded along with a 2nd round pick, to the New York Islanders for Brad Isbister and Raffi Torres.

Niinimaa would finish the season on Long Island, and was back for all 82 games the following year. He'd head back to Scandinavia and split the locked out 2004-05 season between Sweden & Finland.

He'd rejoin the Isles for the 05-06 season, but was traded in January to Dallas. He'd finish the year with the Stars, and was traded the following year to Montreal. With the 2006-07Canadiens, he played in his final 41 NHL games.

Niinimaa would play six more seasons of hockey, but in Europe. He spent that time playing in both Switzerland and Sweden. He'd retire in 2013.

He represented Finland on sixteen occasions, including Gold at the 1995 World Championships, Bronze at the 2000 World Championships, a Silver at the 2004 World Cup, and a Bronze at the 1998 Olympic Games.

He was an NHL All Star in 2001, won a Sepengler Cup in 2011, played on league championship teams in Finland in '94, '96, and '05, and in Sweden in '10. In 2015 he was inducted into the Finnish Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.

Pictured are Niinimaa's 1994-95 Parkhurst RC, and his 2002 BAP Signature Series Autograph (a 'Vault' copy)

Terran Sandwith

Defenceman Terran Sandwith made a name for himself playing with the WHL's Tri-City Americans, and impressed the Philadelphia Flyers enough that they made him the 42nd overall pick in 1990. He'd play another season of junior, and turned pro in 1992.

Sandwith spent the next two seasons playing well with the AHL's Hershey Bears, but never cracked the Flyers' roster. He was eventually cut during the 1994-95 season, which he then finished with the Kansas City Blades of the IHL.

He'd joining the Canadian National Team for the 1995-96 season, and after playing 47 games for Canada, he was offered another shot at the pros by the Edmonton Oilers. He played the final 5 games of the season with the Cape Breton Oilers in the AHL.

1996-97 saw Terran skate with the Oilers' relocated farm-club, now the Hamilton Bulldogs. 1997-98 saw him spend the year mostly with the Bulldogs, but he got an NHL call-up. He played 8 games for the Oilers, with 6 PIMs.

Sandwith never made it back to the NHL after that. He had more AHL stops with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, the St. John's Maple Leafs, another stint with the Hamilton Bulldogs, and then the IHL's Houston Aeros.

He'd head to Europe after that, playing for the Belfast Giants in 2001-02, followed by a year in Finland with Jokerit, and a season with Linz in Austria. Sandwith retired in 2003.

Sandwith never got any cards from those 8 NHL games. Pictured hear is his first junior card from 1991-92 7th Inning Stretch, and a signed copy of his 1993 Classic.

Mike Watt

Mike Watt opted to stay out of Major Junior, and starred for three seasons with the Stratford Cullitons of the Mid-West Junior Hockey League. After scoring 34 goals in 48 games in the 1993-94 season, Watt would be drafted 32nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers.

He headed to Michigan State University after that, and played three seasons. He was an all-star in 1997.

Watt turned pro in 1997-98. He put up 24 goals & 49 points with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 63 games, and made his NHL debut: Scoring once and adding a pair of helpers, in 14 games with the Oilers.

The following summer, Watt was traded to the New York Islanders for Eric Fichaud. He played an entire NHL season, scoring 8 times in 75 games for New York.

The following season, he'd split his time between Long Island, and the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters. He'd then leave as a free agent, and sign with the Nashville Predators.

Watt played just 18 games for the Preds in 2000-01, spending most of the season with the Milwaukee Admirals. He'd be traded to Philadelphia following the season.

2001-02 saw him skate in 53 games for the Philadelphia Phantoms, but he didn't crack the NHL lineup. Free agency hit once again, and he joined the Carolina Hurricanes.

Five games with the 'Canes in 2002-03 turned out to be Watt's last, he spent most of the season in the minors. He played two seasons in Russia after that, followed by one in Sweden.

He'd come back to North America in 2006, splitting the season between the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) and the Muskegon Fury (UHL). After one final season in Muskegon as a player-coach, Watt retired in 2008.

Watt represented Canada at the 1996 World Junior Championships. Since retiring as a player he has gone into coaching, most recently as the head coach of the USHL's Central Illinois Flying Aces in 2019.

Pictured are two copies of Watt's 1995-96 Upper Deck RC, one of them is signed. Also shown is a 98-99 SPx Finite.

Ray Whitney

Long before Ray Whitney ever made it to the NHL, he was working for one of the greatest teams ever assembled. The Dynasty-era Oilers had Whitney working for them as a stick boy.

He played three years of junior with the WHL's Spokane Chiefs. The 1990-91 season was his best. He lead the WHL in scoring with 185 points, and lead Spokane to a 1991 Memorial Cup Championship. His linemate, Pat Falloon, was drafted 2nd overall by the San Jose Sharks, and with the 23rd overall pick, the Sharks selected Whitney, thinking that they'd bring that dominant pairing to the NHL.

Whitney turned pro in 1991-92, but spent most of the season with the San Diego Gulls of the IHL. He had a brief stint in Germany, and also played a handful of games for the Canadian National Team. He made his NHL debut, getting 3 assists in just 2 games.

1992-93 saw Whitney play 26 games for the Sharks, scoring 4 times with 6 assists. He spent most of the season in the minors, but would become an NHL regular the following season.

After three pretty solid seasons in San Jose (40 points in 61 games, 25 points in 39, 41 points in 60) Whitney found himself bouncing between the NHL & the minors against in 1996-97. He played just 12 games for the Sharks that year, and then hit free agency.

As a Free Agent, Whitney would go back home and sign with the team for whom he'd once worked. He joined the Edmonton Oilers for the 1997-98 season.

Up to this point in his career, Whitney was considered a bit of a disappointment. A good NHLer yes, but there'd been high expectation that he'd be a big offensive contributor after his exploits in junior. With the Oilers, things didn't exactly take off. He played 9 games, scored once with three helpers, and then found himself on waivers. He'd be claimed by the Florida Panthers.

With Florida, Whitney's career took off. There were 68 games left in the season when he was claimed, and he'd score 32 times before the end of the year. He came back the next season and performed at nearly the same pace. In 1999-00 he set a new career high with 71 points.

Injuries had cut Ray's 00-01 season a bit short, and he was dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2001 NHL trade deadline. He bounced back the following year though, put up seasons of 61 & 76 points with the Jackets before hitting free agency again.

Whitney would join the Detroit Red Wings for the 03-04 season, and then after the lockout he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. He spent five seasons in Raleigh, including a Stanley Cup win in 2005-06 and a career best 83 points in 2006-07.

In 2010, Whitney would join the Phoenix Coyotes for a couple of season, and then signed with Dallas in 2012. He played two years with the Stars, and retired in 2014.

His career might have gotten off slow, but Whitney amassed 1064 points, in 1330 games. He is the career leader in points & games played for all players drafted in 1991, a draft class that includes hall of famers like Lindros, Forsberg, and Niedermayer. He was an all star twice (2000, 2003) and represented Canada at four World Championships ('98, '99, '02, '10).

Pictured are Whitney's 1992-92 Parkhurst XRC, his 1992-93 Upper Deck RC, a Vault copy of his 2002-03 BAP Autograph, an 02-03 SP Authentic Jersey card, and a 2013 Oilers Team Logo Patch card.

Valari Zelepukin

Like many star Russians of his era, Zelepukin played professionally in Russia as a teenager. NHL teams recognized his talent, but the uncertainty of Soviet players ever being able to play in North America meant he'd be a late draft pick at best. Zelepukin was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the 11th round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.

Valari would come to North America for the 1991-92 season. He scored 20 goals in just 22 games with the Utica Devils in the AHL, and 13 (31 points) with New Jersey. He'd set a career high with 64 points in 1992-93, and with 26 goals in 1993-94.

Zelepukin's most famous goal came in the playoffs of 1994. In the dying seconds of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Zelepukin was parked in front of Mike Richter, and the Rangers clinging to a 1-0 lead. He'd convert a pass from Claude Lemieux, and get it by Richter to tie the game. The Rangers protested, saying that Zelepukin interfered with their goalie, but the goal stood. It wound up not changing the final result, Stephane Matteau would score in double overtime and propel the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they ended a 54 year Championship drought.

Zelepukin and the Devils would find more success the following year, Valari was part of the New Jersey squad that won the 1995 Stanley Cup.

Part way through the 1997-98 season, Zelepukin would be packaged with Bill Guerin and sent to the Edmonton Oilers for Jason Arnott and Bryan Muir. In 33 games with the Oilers he'd score twice, and add ten assists.

On the eve of the 1998-99 season, he'd be traded again. The Oilers would send him to Philadelphia for Daniel Lacroix. Zelepukin spent the next two seasons with the Flyers, scoring 16 & 11 goals.

In the year 2000, he'd sign with the Chicago Blackhawks. Zelepukin played 36 games for them, while spending time with the IHL's Norfolk Admirals. He'd play another season with Norfolk in 2001-02, and then went home to Russia where he played another four seasons before retiring in 2006.

Zelepukin represented the Soviet Union four times: Three as a junior which included a silver medal in 1988 and he was part of the infamous "Punch up in Piestany" team that got disqualified (along with Team Canada) in 1987. He had a central role in the start of the brawl. He'd been playing the game with a separated shoulder, and was being tossed around by Mike Keane in a fight he wanted no part of. Evgeny Davydov left the Russian bench to defend Zelepukin, which lead to both benches clearing. Valari also represented the USSR at the 1991 World Championships, where they won Bronze.

Additionally, he'd skate for Russia at three tournaments. The 1996 World Cup, the 2004 World Championships, and the 1998 Olympic Games, where Russia won a silver medal.

In 2016-17 Zelepukin was briefly the head coach of Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the KHL.

Pictured are his 1991-92 Pinnacle French Rookie Card, his BAP Autograph, and a Pacific base card, showing him with the Oilers.



1998-99

Kevin Brown

Born in the United Kingdom, and raised in Canada, Kevin Brown is one of just 53 players born in the UK to play in the NHL.

Brown was a star in the OHL. After the Los Angles Kings made him the 87th pick in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, Brown scored 50 & 54 goals over the next two seasons, with point totals of 141 & 135. He was an all star in both 1993 & 1994.

He'd make his NHL debut with the Kings in 1994-95, playing 23 games for them. He scored twice, and added three assists. He also broke the point-per-game mark in the IHL, getting 50 points in 48 games with the Phoenix Roadrunners.

He played just 7 NHL games in 95-96, and saw his production dip in the minors too. He'd be traded at the deadline to the Ottawa Senators for Jaroslav Modry & a pick, and finsihed the year in the AHL.

He was traded from Ottawa that summer to Anaheim, and then Hartford before the season started. Brown would skate in 11 games with the Whalers in 1996-97, and 4 more with the Carolina Hurricanes the following year, after the team moved. He did find success playing in the AHL those two seasons, with 48 points in 48 games followed by 72 points in 67 games.

Brown hit free agency, and joined the Edmonton Oilers. The 1998-99 season saw him play 32 games for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, and 12 games for the Oilers. His 4 goals & 6 points in the NHL would end up being career highs. The Oilers would trade him to the New York Rangers for Vladimir Vorobiev at the NHL trade deadline.

Kevin had one last taste of the NHL in 1999-00. The one year contract he signed with the Oilers, before a trade to the Rangers, was up - and Edmonton came calling again. He resigned in Edmonton, and would play his final 7 NHL games in 1999-00. He also put up 59 points in 54 games with the Bulldogs.

Brown would play a season in England after that, one in the West Coast Hockey League, he was back with the Bulldogs for 2001-02, and then split the 2002-03 season between the Florida Everblades & Augusta Lynx of the ECHL. He'd retire in 2003.

Pictured are Brown's 94-95 Upper Deck RC, a signed copy of his 1993 Classic, and 97-98 MVP.

Jim Dowd

Jim Dowd was selected 149th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He'd then play four seasons with Lake Superior State University, before turning turning pro in 1991.

Dowd put up 17 goals & 59 points in his first pro season, playing 78 games with the Utica Devils of the AHL. He also made his NHL debut, playing a single game for New Jersey.

His AHL numbers improved the following year, in 78 games again he had 27 goals & 72 points. Like his rookie year, he was called up for a single game in the NHL.

Jim scored 26 AHL goals the following season, after the Devils relocated their farm club to Albany. He played 58 games for the River Rats, and played in 15 NHL contests. With the Devils he averaged a point per game, scoring 5 times.

The shortened 1994-95 season saw Dowd spend the full season in the NHL, but he played in just 10 games, where he had 5 points. He'd play 11 more contests in the playoffs, scoring twice, and he was a member of the Devils' 1995 Stanley Cup winning team.

He'd be back with New Jersey the following season, but after 28 games he was traded. The Devils sent him & a pick to the Hartford Whalers for Jocelyn Lemieux & a pick. Dowd would never play for the Whalers. Later that day he was traded again, with Frank Kucera & a pick, to the Vancouver Canucks for Jeff Brown & a pick. He finished the season with Vancouver.

Dowd claimed by the New York Islanders in the 1996 waiver draft, but spend most of the 1996-97 season playing for the Utah Grizzlies & Saint John Flames. He'd play only 3 games with the Isles.

As a Free Agent, Dowd would next join Calgary. He split the 97-98 season between the Flames, and Saint John.

The Flames would deal him to the Nashville Predators that summer, and then for the second time in his career he'd be traded again before playing for his new team. The Preds would flip him & Mikhail Shtalenko to the Edmonton Oilers for Drake Berehowsky, Greg de Vries, and Eric Fichaud.

With the Oilers, Dowd would only play a single game in 1998-99, spending most of the season with Hamilton. The 1999-00 season rolled around, and Dowd's career as a guy who was up & down between the NHL & minors was finally over: He was a full time NHLer, and had turned himself into a great penalty killer.

Dowd would score 5 goals & 23 points for the Oilers, in 69 games. He was left unprotected in the expansion draft, and selected by the Minnesota Wild.

He'd spend most of the next four seasons with Minny, putting up career highs of 13 goals & 30 assists in 2001-02. The Wild would deal him to the Habs at the 2004 NHL trade deadline.

Jim played in Germany during the 2004-05 (lockout) season, and split the 2005-06 season between the Chicago Blackhawks & Colorado Avalanche. He'd rejoin the New Jersey Devils for the 2006-07 season, and played his final NHL year with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007-08.


Pictured are Dowd's 1994-95 Fleer Powerplay RC, a Pacific Base that shows him with the Oilers, and a BAP Autograph.

Pat Falloon

To say Pat Falloon dominated in junior would be an understatement. He posted back-to-back 60 goal seasons with the Spokane Chiefs, and was the MVP of the Memorial Cup tournament in 1991. The San Jose Sharks drafted him 2nd overall that year, making him the first pick in team history.

He made his NHL debut with the expansion Sharks in 1991-92, and posted 25 goals & 59 points as a rookie. He was limited to only 41 games the following year, but still scored 14 times and added 14 helpers.

1993-94 was more in line with Falloon's rookie season. He scored 22, for a total of 53 points.

After the shortened 1994-95 season, Pat started the 1995-96 season off with 3 goals in 9 games for San Jose, but they'd trade him to the Philadelphia Flyers for Marin Spanhel, a 1st round pick, and a 4th round pick.

He scored 22 goals that season for the Flyers, giving him 25 on the year and matching his career high. He was limited to 52 games the following year and only scored 11 times. After a slow start to the 1997-98 season, when he scored 5 goals in 30 games, Falloon was traded to the Ottawa Senators (along with Vinny Prospal and a 2nd round pick) for Alexandre Daigle.

Pat would join the Edmonton Oilers as a Free Agent, and played all 82 games in 1998-99. He put up a respectable 17 goals & 40 points. He played another 33 games for the Oilers in 99-00, before he was put on waivers and claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Falloon would finished the year in Pittsburgh, and was done in the NHL after that.

He'd head overseas to play a season with Davos in Switzerland, and then moved back home to Manitoba. He played for his home town Foxwarren Falcons of the North Central Hockey league. Over 7 seasons in the NCHL Pat played 144 games, scored 265 times, and had 608 points, and lead Foxwarren to 6 straight league championships. He retired from hockey in 2008.

Falloon represented Canada at the 1991 World Junior Championships, winning Gold, and also at the 1992 World Championships.

Pictured are Falloon's 1990-91 Upper Deck Rookie Card, his 98-99 BAP Autograph, and a Panini Prime Patch card.

Chris Ferraro

Chris Ferraro was selected 85th overall by the New York Rangers in 1992, the same draft where his twin brother Peter would be taken 24th by the Rangers.

He starred for the University of Maine for a couple of seasons after that, and turned pro in 1994. After spending most of the next two seasons in the minors, Chris would make his NHL debut in 1995-96. He played two games with the Rangers, scored once, and he & his brother became the second set of twins to play for the same NHL team (afte Rich & Ron Sutter did it with the Flyers).

Ferraro played most of the 96-97 season in the minors, but played a dozen games for the Rangers, scoring a single goal. Prior to the start of the 97-98 season he was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He'd skate in 46 contests for the Penguins, scoring three times.

He signed a deal with the Edmonton Oilers for the 1998-99 season, and spent most of the year with Hamilton in the AHL. With the Bulldogs he scored 35 goals, for 76 points, in 72 games. He played two games for the Oilers, and scored once.

He hit free agency again, and joined the New York Islanders. Again most of his season was spent in the minors, he played in 11 NHL contests. After another season in the minors - Ferraro would play a single game for the Washington Capitals in 2001-02, recoding an assist. It would be his last NHL game.

He's play another seven seasons after that, with stops in the AHL, Sweden, Germany, and finally the ECHL. His last stop was with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers, where he & his brother played the 2007-08 & 2008-09 seasons.

Ferraro represented the USA on three occasions: The 1992 & 1993 World Junior Championships, winning a bronze in 1992. He also played on the 2003 World Championship team. In 2002-03 he won the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award in the AHL, given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, determination, and dedication to hockey.

Pictured are Ferraro's 1993-94 Fleer Ultra RC, and his Classic Autograph.

Chad Kilger

As a sophmore with the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs, Chad Kilger posted totals of 42 goals and 95 points in 1994-95. This lead the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to draft him 4th overall in 1995.

He made the NHL team out of training camp, and debuted in the NHL as an 18 year old. After 45 games, 5 goals & 12 points - Kilger was involved in one of the biggest trades of the 1990s. He was sent to the Winnipeg Jets, along with Oleg Tverdovsky (who'd been taken 2nd overall the year before) and a 3rd round pick, for Teemu Selanne, Marc Choinard, and a 4th round pick.

Kilger finsihed the season in Winnipeg, scoring twice more, but never played for the Jets after that. He spent the 96-97 with the AHL's Springfield Falcons, and by the time he got an NHL call-up in 97-98, the Jets had moved to Phoenix and become the Coyotes.

He was traded midway through the 97-98 season with Jayson Moore to the Chicago Blackhawks for Jim Cummings and Keith Carney. He'd finished the season in Chicago, but was dealt again just over a year later.

At the 1999 NHL trade deadline, Kilger would be involved in another blockbuster. He was traded along with Ethan Moreau, CHristian Laflamme, and Daniel Cleary to the Edmonton Oilers for Dean McAmmond, Boris Mironov, and Jonas Elofsson. After he scored 14 goals with the Hawks, he'd finsih the season scoring one more for the Oilers in 13 games.

He played 34 games with the Oilers in 2000-01, and was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in December for Sergie Zholtok. He'd stick in Montreal for the next few years, by was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2003-04.

Kilger scored once in his 5 games with the Buds down the stretch, and twice more in 13 playoff games.

He returned to Toronto as a full time player in 2005-06, and a remarkable thing happened. Kilger was a 10 year vet at this point in his career. A former top prospect who never really found his scoring touch in the NHL. In 2005-06 he finally found his games, and set a career high with 17 goals.

He scored 14 more the following season, and had 10 goals in 53 games in 2007-08 before being traded to the Florida Panthers. Kilger asked for a leave before reporting for the Panthers, and the team granted it. He did not report on the agreed date, and was suspended by the team. He failed to show up for the 2008-09 training camp, and officially retired in 2009.

Pictured are Kilger's 94-95 Upper Deck RC, a BAP Autograph, an ITG Original 6 Jersey Card (Vault version) and a Pacific Blue Ice parallel, showing him with the Oilers.

Dan LaCouture

After staring for the Springfield Olympics in the New England Junior Hockey league, Dan LaCouture was selected 29th overall by the New York Islanders in 1996. He'd head to Boston University the following season, and was a member of the USA's team at the 1997 World Junior Championships, winning a silver.

He never played for the Islanders. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in August of 1997 for Mariusz Czerkawski. He'd turn pro the following season, and scored 15 goals with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL.

1998-99 saw Dan back in the AHL for the bulk of the season, but he did make his NHL debut playing in 3 games for the Oilers.

After another season in the minors, with another brief call up, LaCouture was a full time NHLer in 2000-01. He scored the first two goals of his career with the Oilers, in 37 games, before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the deadline for Sven Butenschoen.

He'd play in all 82 Penguins games the following season, putting up 6 goals and 17 points. In February of 2003 he was involved in a blockbuster deal between the Penguins and New York Rangers: The Rags sent Joel Bouchard, Rico Fata, Richard Lintner, Mikael Samuelsson & future considerations to the Penguins in exchange for LaCouture, Janne Laukkanen, Mike Wilson, and Alexei Kovalev.

He played the rest of the year in New York, as well as the 03-04 season. When the 04-05 season was wiped out due to a lockout, he signed with the AHL's Providence Bruins.

After starting the 05-06 season with Davos in Switzerland, he joined the Bruins and played 55 games in Boston.

His 06-07 season was split between the AHL's Lowell Devils, and their parent club in New Jersey - where he played another 6 NHL games. After spending the 07-08 season in Switzerland he played 12 KHL games in 08-09 and then signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. His 11 NHL contests with the 'Canes that season would be his last. He played for the Providence Bruins again in 2009-10 before retiring.

In addition to the 1997 WJCs, LaCouture played for the USA at the 2002 World Championships.

Pictured are two copies of Dan's Score Select Rookie Card. One is signed. Also there's a BAP base card, showing him with the Oilers.

Daniel Lacroix

After his rookie season with the Granby Bisons of the QMJHL, Daniel Lacroix was selected 31st overall by the New York Rangers in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He'd play two more seasons in Granby, scoring 45 goals in 88-89.

He made his pro debut playing twice for the Denver Rangers of the IHL in in 88-89, and then spent a full IHL season with the Flint Spirits. He'd spend the next three seasons as a fixture on the AHL's Binghamton Rangers.

1993-94 saw Lacroix spend most of the season with Binghamton, but he did make his NHL debut, playing four games for the Rangers.

He was traded to the Boston Bruins that summer, for Glen Featherstone. He'd play in 40 games for the Providence Bruins, and 23 for Boston, where he scored his first NHL goal. He'd be waived later in the season, and was claimed by the Rangers. He'd split the rest of the 94-95 season between New York & Binghamton.

After another season split between the NHL & AHL, Daniel left the Rangers organization, and signed with Philadelphia as a free agent. He played 74 games for the Flyers in 96-97, scoring 7 times.

After a second season in Philly, Lacroix would be traded again. On the eve of the 98-99 season, he was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers for Valeri Zelepukin. He played just 4 NHL games for the Oilers, spending most of the season with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL.

He'd sign with the New York Islanders for the 99-00, and played a single game for them, while spending most of the season in the minors. That would be his last taste of the NHL as a player.

Lacroix spend the next season playing in England, then came back to North America for an AHL season (Rochester Americans), and ECHL season (Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies), and finally wrapped up his playing career where it started: Granby, playing for the QSPHL's Blitz.

After retiring in 2002, Lacroix joined the coaching ranks. He started as an assistant with the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL. After 5 years in Moncton, he joined the New York Islanders as an assistant coach in 2006.

He coached in Hamilton for the 2009-10 season, and when Head Coach Guy Boucher was hired by Tampa Bay, Lacroix went with him. After three seasons with the Bolts, he joined the New York Rangers for the 2013-14 season.

He'd move on to Montreal in 2014, and following the 17-18 season he left the Habs to become the head coach of the Lithuanian National Team, and has since been named head coach of the Cologne Sharks in Germany.

Pictured are Lacroix's 94-95 Leaf RC, and his 97-98 BAP Autograph.

Christian Laflamme

Christian Laflamme split his four season of the major junior between the Verdun College-Francis, and the Beauport Harfangs. He was drafted 45th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1995.

He turned pro in 1996-97, spending most of the season with the IHL's Indianapolis Ice. He was called up for four games with the Hawks, and recorded his first NHL assist.

Laflamme played 72 games with Chicago in 1997-98, and was on pace to beat that mark in 1998-99 until his was traded. Laflamme was part of a 7 player swap with the Edmonton Oilers. He finsihed the season in Edmonton. The 73 total games that year, 2 goals, and 11 helpers would all be NHL career highs.

40 games into the 99-00 season, Laflamme was traded again. The Oilers packaged him with Matthieu Descoteaux and sent him to the Montreal Canadiens for Alain Nesreddine & Igor Ulanov.

Christian left Montreal after the 00-01 season, and signed with the St Louis Blues. He split the next three seasons between St. Louis & the AHL's Worcester IceCats.

In 2004 Laflamme headed to Germany, where he played four seasons. He'd come home to Quebec after that and played two seasons with the Point Rouge Lois Jeans in the LNAH before retiring in 2010.

Shown here are Laflamme's Pacific Omega RC, his BAP Autograph, and a Victory Foil showing him with the Oilers.

Fredrik Lindqvist (Bremberg)

After playing a season with Djurgardens IF Stockholm in the Swedish Elite League as a teenager, Fredrik Lindqvist was selected 55th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 1991.

He'd play 7 more season in Stockholm before coming to North America. By that time he was a free agent, and signed with the Edmonton Oilers.

Freddy would find success with Hamilton in the AHL, scoring 18 goals with 36 helpers in 57 games. He was held pointless in his 8 contests with the Oilers. That would be it for his time in North America.

He moved to Switzerland for the 99-00 season, where he played for Davos. He went back to Sweden and played two seasons with Malmo IF, and then returned to Djurgardens for 7 more seasons. He played a season with Jokerit in Finland, before playing three more seasons in his native Sweden, splitting them with HV71 Jonkoping, Timra IK, and a final year with Djurgardens. He retired in 2013.

Somewhere along they way, Lindqvist changed his last name to Bremberg. I have no idea why.

He represented Sweden at the 1991 European Junior Championships, the 1993 World Junior Championships, and at both the 2000 and 2007 World Championships.

With 581 points, he is the all time leading scorer in the Swedish Elite League.

Pictured are Lindqvist's 98-99 Upper Deck Rookie Card, and an SEL Autograph card.

Ethan Moreau

After three stand out seasons with he Niagra Falls Thunder in the OHL, Ethan Moreau was drafted 14th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1994.

He'd return to Niagra for a a fourth season, and was dealt to Sudbury part way through the campaign. The Wolves would come up short on their Memorial Cup bid.

1995-96 saw Ethan turn pro. He split the majority of the season with the Indianapolis Ice in the IHL, scoring 21 goals & 41 points in 71 games. He also made his NHL debut, registering an assist in 8 games with the Blackhawks.

Moreau never spent another day in the minors. He played in all 82 games for Chicago in 1996-97, scored 15 times, and had 31 points to go along with 123 PIMs.

He'd remain a regular in the Blackhawks lineup until a blockbuster 7 player deal happened in March of 1999. He was dealt along with Chad Kilger, Dan Cleary, and Christian Laflamme to the Edmonton Oilers for Boris Mironov, Dean McAmmond, and Jonas Elofsson.

Moreau joined the Oilers right away, and had a goal & five assists in the final 14 games of the 98-99 season.

The following season, he set a new career high with 17 goals. Not a top line player, but he'd cemented himself as a valuable checking winger, and penalty killer, while providing secondary scoring.

In 2003-04, Ethan would set new career highs in both goals (20) and points (32). He'd spend the 04-05 lockout season in Austria, but was back with the Oilers after that.

2005-06 saw him as part of the leadership group, that took the Oilers all the way to Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup finals.

Injuries limited Moreau to just 7 games in 2006-07. Despite this, he was named team Captain for the 2007-08 season. The injury bug would strike again though, and a broken leg kept him out of the start of the season.

After playing only a few games, Moreau was hurt again. "Chopper" (as he was known by then) played just 25 games in 07-08.

He rebounded the following season, and hit double digit goals (14) again for the first time since 05-06. He played his final season in Edmonton in 2009-10.

Free agency hit, and Moreau would head to Columbus for the 2010-11 season, and then Los Angles in 2011-12. He would win a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012, before retiring.

Following his retirement, he joined the Montreal Canadiens as a pro scout.

Moreau was the final piece in the "Wayne Gretzky Trade Tree" (the last remaining asset the Oilers had, as a result of Gretzky's 1988 trade.) He won the 2009 King Clancey Trophy.

Pictured are four cards of Moreau: His 1996-97 Black Diamond Rookie Card, his 1996-97 BAP dicut Autograph, A Panini Prime Materials, and an 07-08 Fleer Ultra Ice Medallion.

Steve Passmore

Steve Passmore was a record setting goalie with the Victoria Cougars in the WHL. He holds the Western Hockey League's single season records for most games played by a goalie (71), minutes played (4,228), and most saves (2,562) all set in the 1991-92 season.

He was made the 196th overall selection in 1992, by the Quebec Nordiques. He'd return to Victoria the following year, but was traded mid-season to Kamloops, where he finished his junior career in 1993-94 in style. He was named WHL playoff MVP, as he helped the Blazers win the league crown, and then they went on to win the Memorial Cup.

Before turning Pro, Passmore was dealt by the Nordiques in March of 1994 to the Edmonton Oilers, for Brad Werenka. He'd make his pro debut with the Cape Breton Oilers in 1994-95.

Passmore spent the next five seasons playing exclusively in the minors. Mostly in the AHL (Cape Breton, Hamilton) but also brief stints in the ECHL (Raleigh Icecaps) and IHL (San Antonio Dragons). His 1998-99 season was spent mostly with the Hamilton Bulldogs, but he made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers, going 1-4-1 in 6 games.

He left the Oilers after the season, as a free agent, and signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was the primary backup in Chicago, playing 24 games for the Hawks - but was traded in May to the Los Angeles Kings.

Passmore played a couple of games with the Lowell Lock Monsters in 2000-01, but was the main backup for the Kings, appearing in 14 games for them. In February of 2001 he was traded back to Chicago, where he played in another 6 NHL contests.

Steve spent the next couple of seasons with Chicago, but was up & down between the NHL and the minors. His last NHL games were in 2003-04 with the Hawks.

He played in Germany during the 04-05 lockout, and then split the 2005-06 season between Jokerit (Finland) and San Antonio (AHL). 2006-07 would be his final season in pro hockey, when he split his time between Austria and Italy.

Passmore played only 2 games in 1995-96. Heavy metal poisoning threatened his career. His recovery was quite remarkable, and it earned him the AHL's Fred T. Hunter Memorial Award in 1996-97, given to the player best exemplifying sportsmanship, determination, and dedication to hockey. His fight with the same blood disorder would lead to the Blackhawks nominating him for the Bill Masterton trophy in 2000.

Pictured are three cards of Passmore: His 99-00 Upper Deck Gold Reserve RC, as signed copy of his 99-00 Pacific RC, an a 94-95 Classic.

Tom Poti

Tom Poti was a gifted defenceman, both in his own and and offensively, as a teenager playing at Crushing Academy. After graduating from Prep School, he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 3rd round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

He'd go on to play two seasons at Boston University, where he was named to the All Rookie Team, All Tournament Team, First All Star, and All-American. He played for the USA at the World Junior Championships in 1996 and 1997, winning a Silver Medal the 2nd time.

He'd turn pro in 1998, and made the Oilers right out of his first training camp. He'd go on to score 5 goals, add 16 assists, play 73 games, and was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team for the 98-99 seasons.

Poti quickly became one of the Oilers' best blueliners, and scored a career high 12 goals in 00-01. He would be traded to the New York Rangers in March of 2002, along with Rem Murray, for Mike York and a 4th round pick.

Poti's first couple of seasons in New York were really good, including a career high 48 point season in 2002-03. His later two seasons were weaker, and he became a focal point for fans frustrated with the team.

In 2006, Poti was a free agent and joined the cross-town rivals on Long Island. He put together a great season with the Islanders, breaking the 40 point mark for the 2nd time in his career.

Poti would sign a 3 year pact with the Washington Capitals after that, and played well during the entire term of the deal. He resigned for another three seasons in 2010. He got hurt during the 2010-11 season, and only played 21 games. He missed the entire 11-12 season, and only played in 16 contests in 2012-13.

The groin injury had taken its toll on him, and he retired from hockey after that. Poti played in 824 NHL games, and recoded 327 career point. He was a member of the USA Olympic Team in 2002, winning a Silver Medal in Salt Lake City.

Pictured are Poti's 95-96 Upper Deck RC, his 99-00 BAP Autograph, and his 03-04 ITG Action Jersey Card.

Todd Reirden

Todd Reirden was drafted in the 12th round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, by the New Jersey Devils. He'd spend the next four seasons playing for Bowling Green State University, where the defenceman's game continued to develop.

In 1994, he turned pro, and split the season with the Devil's minor league affiliates in Tallahassee (ECHL) and Albany (AHL). He never stuck in the Devils' organization and bounced around the minor leagues for the next three seasons, playing in the ECHL and IHL.

In 1998 he was offered a contract with the Edmonton Oilers, and he made his NHL debut in 98-99. He played 17 games for the Oilers, with 20 PIMs, 2 goals, and 5 points. He spent the bulk of the season with Hamilton in the AHL.

A free agent again, this time Reirden signed with the ST. Louis Blues. Todd found himself on the 23 man roster full time, and he played 56 games for the Blues that year. His 25 points would be a career high. His second year with St. Louis included a brief stint in the AHL, but he spent the bulk of the season with the big club.

He'd join the Atlanta Thrashers for the 2001-02 season, when he played in 65 games for them. He spent just a season with Atlanta, and joined the Might Ducks next. After a season & a half of only seeing game action in the AHL, the Ducks traded Reiden to the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2003-04 season.

With the Coyotes that year, Reirden played the last 7 games of his NHL career. After playing with the Houston Aeros in the AHL for the 04-05 season, he played a season in Germany and then one in Austria before retiring in 2007.

Reirden went right to the coaching ranks, after he was done as a player. He spent a season as an assist at Bowling Green, before taking an assistant's job with the Penguins' AHL club in Wilkes-Barre.

After a singles season, he was promoted to head coach. It was a job Reirden held for two seasons, before joining the Penguins as an NHL assistant in 2010.

He was hired by the Washington Capitals as an assistant coach in 2014, and promoted to Associate coach in 2016. His Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018.

Reirden was named head coach of the Caps in 2018. They won their division in each of his two seasons as head coach, but he was fired after the 19-20 playoffs. Reirden has since joined the Penguins as an assistant for the 2020-21 season.

Shown hear are Reirden's 99-00 ITG BAP Memorabilia RC, and his 00-01 ITG BAP Signature Series Autograph.

Tommy Salo

Tommy Salo started playing for Vasteras IK in the Swedish Elite league during the 90-91 season as a teenager. He played in Sweden through the end of the 1993-94 season. By that time he'd been drafted 118th overall by the New York Islanders in 1993, he'd represented Sweden at both the 1991 World Junior Championships and 1994 World Championships, and he'd won a Gold Medal at the 1994 Olympics.

Salo came to North America for the 1994-95 season. He played just 6 games with the Islanders, and only 10 the following year. He was superb in the minors though. He played for the Isle's affiliate in the AHL (Utah, then Denver, Grizzlies). He won back-to-back Turner Cups (league champs) and was Playoff MVP in 1996. In 1995 he was named the IHL's Rookie of the Year, and it's MVP. He was a First Team All-Star both seasons, as well as winning the IHL's Norris Trophy, given to the goalie with the fewest goals against.

1996-97 saw him become a fulltime NHLer. He put up good numbers on a week Isles club, starting in 58 games. He played well for the Islanders right through the 98-99 season, but he was deemed expendable after New York acquired Felix Potvin in January.

At the March trade deadline, Salo was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers for Mats Lindgren and a draft pick. Salo took the starters' job from Mikhail Shtalenkov, and he'd play in 13 games for the Oilers down the stretch, and four more in the Playoffs.

Salo was a workhorse over the next four seasons. He'd make 70, 73, 69, and 65 starts for the Oilers. His 36 wins in 2000-01 would be a career high.

He was injured and missed a bit of time, but still logged 44 games for the Oilers in 2003-04. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche at the 2004 deadline, for Tom Gilbert. He'd play 5 games for the Avs down the stretch, and one more in the playoffs. Those would be his final games in the NHL.

With the 2004-05 season wiped out due to lockout, he joined Modo in Sweden. He'd play two more seasons with Frolunda, and retired from playing in 2007.

Following his retirement, Salo got into coaching, and then became a General Manager. He's currently the GM of Leksands IF in Sweden.

He represented Sweden 14 times internationally, and won 4 Bronze ('94, '99, '01, '02), 2 Silver ('97, '03), and 1 Gold ('98) Medals at the World Championships, to go along with his 1994 Olympic Gold.

He's a two time NHL all star (2000, 2002) and is the Oilers franchise record holder for lowest GAA, with a minimum of 4,000 minutes played. He was inducted into the Swedish Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.

Pictured are Salo's 1995-96 Donruss RC, his 97-98 BAP Autograph, an 02-03 Pacific Exclusive Jersey Card (love the triple colour) plus am ITG Between The Pipes Mega Stars card, that features a giant swatch from his All Star Jersey.

Alexander Selivanov

Alexander Selivanov started with Spartak Moscow with a single game in 1988-89, as a 17 year old. 5 seasons later he was a scoring star for them, and drafted in the 6th round by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Selivanov would never play for the Flyers. Prior to the start of the 94-95 season, they traded him to Tampa Bay for a 4th round pick. He made his NHL debut that season, scoring 10 times for the Lightning in 43 games.

Alex was an immediate regular in the Bolts' lineup, and set career highs with 31 goals, 52 points, and 93 PIMs in 79 games for Tampa in the 95-96 season. The winger played for Tampa until they traded him in January of 1999 to the Edmonton Oilers, for Alexandre Daigle.

With the Oilers, Selivanov scored 8 times in 29 games that season, and came very close to the 30 goal mark the following year, scoring 27 times in 67 games.

He joined the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2000-01 season, but disappointed with only 8 goals in 59 games. That was the end of his NHL career.

He'd head to Germany next, where he forged a long career in Europe. Over the next 11 seasons, he'd play mostly in Germany, but had stops in Russia & Switzerland. Selivanov retired in 2012.

His 31 goals in 1995-96 were a really good season. Far better than most NHLers will ever get. He certainly does not have bragging rights when he's with his in-laws. His father in law, Phil Esposito, broke the 30 goal mark a dozen times.

Pictured are his Upper Deck RC, a BAP Autograph, and a BAP Memoribila card showing him as an Oiler. I would LOVE to get a copy of his 2005-06 DEL All Star Jersey card.

Mikhail Shtalenkov

Mikhail Shtalenkov first joined Moscow Dynamo as a 20 year old, in 1985. He'd play with the legendary Russian team through the 1991-92 season. During those years he backstopped the Soviet Union in the 1991 Canada Cup, and he won an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1992 Albertville Games.

He came to North America in 1992, and signed with the IHL's Milwaukee Admirals. After a season of minor pro, he was drafted 108th overall by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and he's sign with them for the following season. He played 10 games for the Ducks in 93-94, serving as Guy Hebert's backup. It was a role he'd take on fulltime the following season, and he played in 18 more NHL contests.

Shtalenkov's ice time increased, and he was the primary goalie for the Mighty Ducks by 1995-96. He'd hold down that role until the summer of 1998, when he was selected by the Nashville Predators in the expansion draft.

Mikhail would never end up playing for the Preds. That fall, before the start of the season, he was traded along with Jim Dowd for to the Edmonton Oilers for Drake Berehowsky, Greg De Vries, and Eric Fichaud.

He split time with Bob Essensa, and played in 34 games for the Oilers that season. A trade for Tommy Salo moved both of them down the depth chart, and Shtalenkov was traded at the deadline to the Phoenix Coyotes for a draft pick.

He'd play as a backup in Phoenix for the rest of the season. He played in 15 games for them in 1999-00, before he was traded again. This time he was dealt to the Florida Panthers for Sean Burke, and a swap of picks.

After finishing the year with Florida with another 15 games, Shtalenkov went back to Russia and played a final season with Moscow Dynamo before retiring in 2001.

In addition to the Olympic Gold he won in 1992, he also won Silver with Russia at the 1998 Olympic Games. He also represented Russia at four World Championships.

Pictured are Shtalenkov's 94-95 Upper Deck RC, his BAP Autograph, and a Gold 98-99 BAP base card, showing him with the Oilers.

Jason Smith

Jason Smith's road to the NHL started in the BCHL in 1990-91. He'd play a couple of games with the WHL's Regina Pats that season, and was a full time member of the junior squad in 1991-92. He was named to the WHL's all rookie team, and drafted 18th overall by the New Jersey Devils.

Smith headed back to junior for the 1992-93 season. He was named top defenceman in the WHL, and helped Canada win Gold at the World Junior Championships. He also made his professional debut that season, playing a playoff game for the AHL's Utica Devils.

In 1993-94 Smith played 20 games for the Albany River Rats (New Jersey had moved their farm club). He played 41 games for the Devils, and 6 more in the playoffs. New Jersey had found a key piece for their blueline.

His 1994-95 season was cut short due to injury. He was able to play late in the season, and joined the River Rats for the AHL playoffs, helping them win the Calder Cup.

Those would be the last games Smith would play in the minors. He played in 64 contests in 1995-96, and recorded his first two NHL goals.

All was going well for Smith in New Jersey during the 1996-97 season, when he was included in a blockbuster trade. The Devils sent him, along with Alyn McCauley and Steve Sullivan, to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Doug Gilmour, Dave Ellett, and a draft pick.

Smith played 21 games for the Leafs that season, 81 more in 97-98, but by 98-99 it was apparent he wasn't really fitting in with the organization. He was dealt at the deadline to the Edmonton Oilers, in exchange for 2nd and 4th round picks.

Smith really found his game in Edmonton. He became a critical part of the Oilers lineup instantly. After Doug Weight was traded in 2001, Smith was made Captain of the Oilers. His 5 seasons wearing the 'C' tie him with Wayne Gretzky for the most in team history.

"Gator" Captained the Oilers all the way to the 7th game of the 2006 Stanley Cup, but the Oilers flopped in 2006-07 and missed the playoffs. Looking to over haul the team, GM Kevin Lowe dealt Smith & Joffrey Lupul to the Philadelphia Flyers for Joni Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson, and a draft pick.

Smith was named Captain of the Flyers for the 2007-08 season, and Philly went to the conference finals.

He was a free agent after that, and signed with the Ottawa Senators. Following his 08-09 season with the Sens, Smith retired.

He's gone into the coaching ranks since then. After working as an assistant with Ottawa for a couple of years, he because the head coach of the WHL's Kelowna Rockets in 2016. Since 2019 he's been an Associate coach with the Prince George Cougars.

Pictured are Smith's 93-94 Upper Deck Rookie Card, a BAP Autograph, and a UD Game Jersey.

Vladimir Vorobiev

Vladimir Vorobiev was a junior playing in Russia, when he was selected in the 10th round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers. He'd play four more seasons in Russia before coming across the pond.

Vladimir played 61 games for the AHL'd Binghamton Rangers in 1996-97, scoring 22 goals. He also scored 5 goals (10 points) in 16 games with New York.

The 1997-98 season saw more of the same. He played 56 games in the minors, and another 15 with the Rangers. The 98-99 season saw him get no NHL action in the Big Apple, and a frustrated Vorobiev was traded to the Edmonton Oilers at the deadline for Kevin Brown.

He'd play in 2 games for the Oilers after the trade, and scored twice.

1999-00 saw Vorobiev play 37 games with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, before joining the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the IHL. He would head home to Russia after that.

He played another 7 season in the Russian Super League, and then 3 seasons in the newly formed KHL. Vorobiev retired after the 2010-11 season. He represented Russia twice, at the 1995 and 1996 World Championships.

He got into coaching after that, and is currently an assistant coach with Dynamo Moscow.

Pictured are his Donruss Rookie Card, and a Sereal KHL Autograph, showing him as a coach.



1999-00

Dan Cleary

Dan Cleary was born in Newfoundland, where he grew up playing in the local minor hockey system. At the age of 15 he left home to play for the Kingston Voyageurs of the Metro Junior Hockey League in Ontario. He'd rack up 46 points in 41 games, and was selected 11th overall in the OHL draft by the Bellville Bulls in 1994.

Cleary was a star in Junior. He was named to both the OHL and CHL all Rookie teams, and in his second season with Belleville he finsihed 2nd in the OHL with 115 points while being named to the OHL First All Star team, and the CHL Second All Star team. He was an OHL 1st All Star again in his third season, drafted 13th overall by the Chicaco Blackhawks in 1997, and lead the OHL in playoff assists (17) and points (23) in 1998.

Dan would also make his NHL debut in the 1997-98 season, playing in 6 games for the Blackhawks. His first full seasons as a pro came the following season, when he split his time between Chicago and the Portland Pirates of the AHL.

Clearly looked to be a big part of the Hawks' future, but his first full seasons in the pros also saw him traded! At the 1999 deadline, he was dealt along with Ethan Moreau, Christian Laflamme, and Chad Kilger to the Oilers for Dean McAmmond, Boris Mironov, and Jonas Elofsson.

Clearly finished the season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, playing 9 games for the Oilers' AHL affiliate.

He'd make his Oilers debut in 99-00, playing 17 games while playing in 58 more in the minors. He also made his NHL playoff debut, recording an assist in 4 games.

Cleary was a full time NHL the next season, when he played a career high 81 games. He popped 14 goals and had 35 points, while playing a strong defensive game.

Cleary's last season in Edmonton was a disappointment. His offence had dipped, and he was a frequent healthy scratch. He played in 57 games that year. The Oilers decided to buy out the remaining year of his deal, and he joined the Phoenix Coyotes.

Dan's game didn't improve much in the dessert. He spent the 2004-05 lockout playing in Sweden, and then the Coyotes opted to not qualify him, so he was a free agent. He went to training camp with the Detroit Red Wings on a PTO.

Cleary would sign with the Wings, and it turned out to be a great move for both him and the club. He developed into a strong roll player. His defensive game was stellar, and he was a solid contributor. Exactly the kind of guy you want for "secondary scoring". With the Red Wings, Dan would score 20 goals in both the 06-07 and 07-08 seasons. He scored 26 in 2010-11, for 46 points. Both would be career highs.

He scored 9 times in the 2009 playoffs, when Detroit eventually lost in the finals to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but Clearly was party of the 2008 Red Wings team that won the Stanley Cup.

The 2014-15 season with the Red Wings, would mark the finals NHL games of Cleary's career. He tried to stretch it out for one more season, and played 35 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2015-16. He was still technically on the Griffins' roster in 2016-17, but never played a game for them. Instead he worked in an unoffical role as player/coach - and was focused on mentoring the younger players. The Griffens would win the 2017 Calder Cup (AHL Championship), after which Cleary offically retired.

Dan represented Canada twice. At the 1995 Under 18 tournament, and again at the 2002 World Championships.

Pictured are Cleary's UD Rookie Card, a signed Bowman Prospects Card (I got this IP, back in the 90s), a Crown Royal Silhouette jersey card, and a BAP Memorabilia base card showing him with the Oilers.

Paul Comrie

Paul Comrie was the other piece in one of Glen Sather's biggest heists in the 1990s.

Paul Comrie, the elder brother of future Oiler Mike, was an All Star & All American at the University of Denver. He was drafted in the 9th round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Comrie didn't last 12 months as property of the Bolts. In December of 1997, Edmonton traded Bryan Marchment, Steve Kelly, and Jason Bonsignore to Tampa Bay for Comrie & Roman Hamrlik.

Paul finished his four years in Denver, and turned pro at the end of the 98-99 season. He played 7 AHL games for the Oilers' farm team in Hamilton, and 8 more games for them in the playoffs.

1999-00 saw the home-town kid make his debut for the Edmonton Oilers. He scored once in 15 games, and also played a dozen games for the Bulldogs. His season was cut short due to a concussion.

Unfortunately, Paul never recovered from the concussion, and was forced to retire. He's since gone to work for his father's business, Canadian Furniture giant "The Brick".

Paul's brother Mike would later play for the Oilers, and his half brother Eric is currently a goalie with the New Jersey Devils.

Pictured are Paul's 99-00 Upper Deck RC, and his BAP Millennium Series Autograph.

Mike Minard

Mike Minard played for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCJHL where he was named Coastal Rookie of the Year and Goalie of the Year for the 1994-95 season, leading the Edmonton Oilers to draft him 83rd overall in 1995.

He split a season in the OHL between Barrie and Detroit, before turning pro in the 1996-97 season. He's spend the next few seasons playing in the minors, with stops in the AHL, ECHL, UHL, and IHL.

Minard was recalled late in the 99-00 season, and in the final game of the regular season on April 8th 2000: Minard got the start and the Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames 6-3.

That would be Minard's only NHL game. He left the Oilers following the season, and joined the Maple Leafs organization. He was an allstar in 00-01 with the St. John's Maple Leafs, but never got back to the NHL.

After spending time in the AHL, ECHL, and CHL: Minard went to play in Belfast for the 05-06 and 06-07 seasons. His last season of hockey came in 2007-08, when he played for the New Mexico Scorpions.

Pictured is a copy of Minard's Upper Deck Young Guns RC, and a signed copy of his BAP Memoribila RC.

Michel Picard was only 5'11", but his style of play could only be described as a "Power Forward".

Playing in Troi Riviers, he dominated the QMJHL. His final season saw him score 59 goals, 140 points, 107 PIMs, in just 66 games.

The Hartford Whalers would selected him in the 9th round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, and he'd turn pro the following season. After a 40 point campaign with the Binghamton Whalers in 89-90, he scored 56 goals for the 90-91 Springfield Indians in the AHL (Hartford's affiliate at the time) which lead the league, and set a franchise record.

He got his first taste on the NHL in 1990-91, playing 5 games for the Whalers, and scored his 1st NHL goal.

Picard continued to score by the bucket full in the minors, but he was never able to make the jump to become an NHL scoring star.

After trades to San Jose and Ottawa, he signed with the St. Louis Blues in 1997. The 1998-99 season would be his best in the NHL, when he plated 45 games for St. Louis, and scored 11 times.

He joined the Oilers in 1999-00, but played just two games for Edmonton. He spent most of the season with the IHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.

He had a brief stint with Philly in 2000-01, playing 7 games for the Flyers. That would be the end of his time in the NHL.

Michel went to Germany for the 2001-02 season, and then came back to North American and spent two more seasons playing for the Griffins (now in the AHL).

The 2004-05 season saw him join the Thetford Mines Prolab in the LNAH, where he played for five seasons before retiring in 2009.

Shown here are Picard's 1991-92 OPC Premier RC, and a signed copy of his 1991-92 Parkhurst RC.

Bert Robertsson

Bert Robertsson got his start with Sodertalje in Sweden, and was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 10th round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.

He was drafted as a defenceman, but he'd convert to left wing. He wasn't the most offensively gifted player, but his hard-hitting style made him a player that coaches liked to use on occasion.

He spend his first two seasons in North America exclusively with the Canucks' farm team, the Syracuse Crunch. His 1997-98 season was spent mostly in the AHL again, but he played 30 games for Vancouver, and notched his first two NHL goals.

The 98-99 season saw Bert play in 39 NHL games, and just 8 in the minors. He scored two more goals, and brought his career point total up to 10.

Free Agency hit, and he would join the Edmonton Oilers. He had a brief stint with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs that season (6 games) and set a career high with 52 games for the Oilers. He'd play in 5 playoff games that spring, his only trip to the NHL post season.

Robertsson was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the expansion draft that summer, and would be dealt to the New York Rangers the following November, without ever having played for Columbus.

He logged two games with the Rangers that season, before being dealt to the Nashville Predators, and he spent the rest of the season with the Milwaukee Admirals.

After starting the 01-02 season in the AHL, Nashville traded him to Anaheim. He was never called up by the Ducks, he was traded to the Penguins instead. He'd finish the year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The 2002-03 season saw Robertsson head back home to Sweden, where he played three more seasons before retiring in 2005.

He made the move to coaching after that, eventually serving has head coach of Skelleftea AIK. In 8 seasons with Skelleftea he won two league Championships. He would leave and join Linkopings HC in 2019-20, where he still coaches today.

Pictured are Robertsson's Pacific Omega RC, and a signed copy of his BAP Rookie Card that I had him sign TTM for me.

German Titov

German Titov was a star Left Winger for Khimik Voskresensk in the Soviet Hockey League. He first played there in 1982 as a junior, and then full time from 1986 through 1992.

In the 1992-93 season, he left Russia and went to Finland, where he score 25 goals (44 points) for TPS in Finland's SM-liiga. This lead to the Calgary Flames drafting the 27 year old 252nd overall in 1993.

He found immediate success with the Flames. He scored 27 goals, and had 45 points, in 1993-94, as an NHL rookie. He'd best those totals in 1995-96, when he set career highs with 28 goals & 67 points.

The next two seasons in Calgary, his offence slipped a bit, but he still scored 22 and 18 goals - and hit the 40 point mark both seasons.

He'd be traded in the summer of 1998. The Flames sent him & Todd Hlushko to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Ken Wregget and David Roche.

Titov's first season in Pittsburgh saw him score 11 times, to go along with 45 assists. He had 17 goals & 25 helpers with the Penguins during the 99-00 season, and then they traded him at the deadline to the Edmonton Oilers for Josef Beranek.

Titov played in 7 games for the Oilers that season, recording 4 assists. He played in 5 more games in the playoffs, where he'd score his only goal as an Oiler.

German was a free agent after that, and he signed with the Anaheim Might Ducks. He'd spend two seasons there, before heading home to Russia for the 2003-04 season. He played two seasons with Voskresensk Khimik, the team where his career started.

Titov would retire at the end of the 2004-05 season. Titov has since gone into coaching, and he's been the head coach of both Metallurg Novokuznetsk and Spartak Moscow in the KHL.

He represented Russia twice, winning a gold medal at the 1993 World Championships, and a Silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Pictured are Titov's 1993-94 Leaf RC, his 98-99 BAP Autograph, and an 00-01 OPC Base card.

Igor Ulanov

After a stand-out 6 seasons playing in the Soviet Union, defenceman Igor Ulanov was drafted in the 10th round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He'd play part of one more season in the Soviet Union, before coming to North America for the 1991-92 season.

He'd play briefly in the AHL, but joined the Jets for 27 regular season games, and 7 more in the playoffs.

He was a hart hitting, but low point type defenceman. He played most of four seasons with the Jets, scoring just 4 times, but raked up 124 PIMs in 92-93, and 165 more in 93-94.

He was traded to the Washington Capitals at the deadline in 1995. He played just 3 games for the Caps down the stretch, and they'd trade him to Chicago before the 95-96 season began.

Igor didn't finish the year with the Hawks, he'd be dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning the following March. He was a steady player for the Bolts, but they'd trade him again in January of 1998 to the Montreal Canadiens.

Ulanov played well for the Habs down the stretch, and in the playoffs. He was a solid piece for them in 1998-99, but he was made a deadline piece once again: Montreal traded him and Alain Nesreddine to the Edmonton Oilers for Matthieu Descoteaux and Christian Laflamme.

With the Oilers, Ulanov played well down the stretch (14 games) and in the playoffs (5 more). He played 67 games in the 2000-01 season, and set new career highs with 3 goals, and 20 assists. He'd leave after the season and sign with the New York Rangers as a free agent.

Ulanov was well regarded in New York, but once again he was traded. He was sent to the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster deal, along with Filip Novak, and 1st, 2nd, and 4th round picks; for Pavel Bure and a 2nd.

After the 2002-03 season, he was a free agent once again. He'd resign with the Edmonton Oilers, having a second stint with them. In just 42 games in the 2003-04 season, he set a new career high was 5 goals.

The 2005-06 season would be Ulanov's last with Edmonton, and his last in the NHL. He'd head home to Russia for a couple of seasons after that, and retired in 2009 after playing for Minsk Dynamo.

Igor has been a KHL coach since his playing days ended, most recently with Moscow Spartak in 2019.

He represented Russia twice internationally, at the 1994 World Championships and the 1996 World Cup.

Shown here are Ulanov's 1991-92 Upper Dec RC, his 97-98 BAP Autograph, and his 00-01 Upper Deck base card.

Floyd Whitney

Floyd Whitney was an Edmonton Police Officer, and had been the practise goalie for the Edmonton Oilers since 1982. His son, Ray, was a one-time Oilers' stick boy who played for Edmonton briefly in 97-98, on his way to over 1300 career NHL games, and over 1000 NHL points.

You will not find the senior Whitney's name on a box score anywhere, but the (then) 46 year old nearly became the NHL's oldest rookie on December 21st 1999.

The Oilers were playing against the Washington Capitals, when starting goalie Bill Ranford got hurt in the first period. Tommy Salo went into the net, but the Oilers contacted Whitney and told him to get to the rink immediately. While he was normally at every game, on this night he was doing some paperwork at the station.

Whitney got to the coliseum, and signed a waiver. They had an amateur try-out contract ready to go in case he needed to go into the game. He was dressed and ready to go in the dressing room, but the Oilers were up big on the Caps and opted not to bring him out to the bench, not wanting to appear to be rubbing in the score.

It was a game the Oilers would eventually win 6-2, and Whitney nearly played. Tommy Salo pulled his groin with 90 seconds left in the 3rd. He was unaware that Whitney could have played the final portion of the game, so he insisted he was good enough to finished the match. He said afterwards had he know Whitney was available, he would have left the game.

Whitney never saw the ice, he didn't even make it to the bench - but for two periods he was an NHL backup.

Pictured is a custom made card from @dnjcards that Mr. Whitney was kind enough to sign for me TTM.

 

[creasecollector]

Great show and even better tell. I always like how this collection documents a small portion of NHL history. The Whitney auto/story at the end was amazing.

Keep it up!

 

[capsfan30]

I always love reading your Oilers posts. Some great names that have been forgetten through the course of time, and some nostalgia for the same reason. Thanks for taking the time to write all of that up, not to mention the countless hours of research it must have taken.

 

[Greg Brown]

Nice post! I appreciate the dedication and knowledge about each player. I try to pick up a rookie & auto (if possible) of anybody that's played for my alma mater BGSU, such as Mr. Reirden shown earlier.

Reading through some of the comments, of players who ended up playing with the Wings, my first (unfortunate) thoughts went straight to nicknames me and my friends gave some of the less successful players, such as:

"Bobblin" Bob Essesna & Boyd "The Void" Devereuax

Great show and tell, thanks!

 

[30ranfordfan]

Great show and even better tell. I always like how this collection documents a small portion of NHL history. The Whitney auto/story at the end was amazing.

Keep it up!

Thanks! I think it was fall of 2018 when I posted Part 1.... so I'm not exactly being quick about this, but I feel like I'm doing this right, by adding some info about each player.

Floyd Whitney is an awesome story. I couldn't find a good photo of him wearing an Oilers jersey (practice) but that one was out there - it's from the lockout season. He went to Europe with a team of NHL stars. One game, Brodeur left early and Hasek went in to replace him.... but Whitney then suited up as the backup. Hasek pulled himself late in the 3rd period, and Whitney finished the game.

I've sent lots of requests to guys who never had cards made of them... using custom cards like that one. Whitney was no exception to this: I always suggest they keep one for themselves... and more often than not they do.

I always love reading your Oilers posts. Some great names that have been forgetten through the course of time, and some nostalgia for the same reason. Thanks for taking the time to write all of that up, not to mention the countless hours of research it must have taken.

Thank you! This is why updates are slow. Some days I'll do 2 or 3 players... but then it might be a week (or weeks) before I do more. I'd rather go months between posts, than rush them.

Nice post! I appreciate the dedication and knowledge about each player. I try to pick up a rookie & auto (if possible) of anybody that's played for my alma mater BGSU, such as Mr. Reirden shown earlier.

Reading through some of the comments, of players who ended up playing with the Wings, my first (unfortunate) thoughts went straight to nicknames me and my friends gave some of the less successful players, such as:

"Bobblin" Bob Essesna & Boyd "The Void" Devereuax

Great show and tell, thanks!

Glad you enjoyed it!

Essensa, when you read about him... really seems like he was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time. He was great in Winnipeg, but awful in Detroit - doesn't make a lot of sense as to why..... and he was a fine NHL backup once he got out of Detroit.

Devereaux never really lived up to the high pick, but I always thought he was pretty good with the Wings.

 

[CeddieB]

Great read & show. I've been enjoying all of these, only 20 years to go!

 

[nikemikey222005]

I love the background information. There sure is a lot of history in each player and you have outlined it perfectly. Amazing post, Bravo!