Hockey History: Paul Coffey

paul coffeyIt was 20 years ago when Paul Coffey joined an exclusive club.

Coffey became the first defenseman in the history of the National Hockey League to reach 1,000 career assists on Dec. 13, 1995.

In his 16th season, Coffey found Detroit Red Wings teammate Igor Larionov in the opening period of a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

At that time, Coffey joined Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Marcel Dionne with 1,000 assists. Since that time the group has grown to 12 players with one other defenseman, Ray Bourque.

Bourque had 1,169 assists from 1979-2001 and is in fourth place all-time. Coffey, who played from 1980-2000 and is in fifth, had 1,135 career assists. Both were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

First Round

A first round choice by Edmonton in 1980, Coffey played seven years for the Oilers until 1987. During that time, the Oilers won three Stanley Cup titles.

As an individual, Coffey won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 1985 and 1986.

Coffey’s top offensive season was in 1985-1986 when he scored 48 goals and had 90 assists for 138 points. He also led the league with nine short-handed goals.

Moving On and On

Traded to Pittsburgh in 1987, Coffey played five years with the Penguins and was part of a fourth Stanley Cup championship in 1990-1991.

After his time with Pittsburgh, Coffey played with the Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins. He won another Norris Trophy in 1995 with the Red Wings.