Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - NHL history in a 127 years of bite sized pieces.

CaptainCrunch · 06-07-2024, 05:09 PM

1990-91

As the NHL expanded teams had trouble with their depth, the deeper into the lineup the shorter the supply of really good NHL players.

Before 1989, the European and Soviet players had the skills and talent to play in the NHL, but the NHL didn't exactly throw out the welcome mat. The feeling was that Europeans and Soviets played soft hockey on big ice, and they'd get murdered on the smaller rinks and grittier hockey of the NHL.

The other problem was that Canadian and American players didn't exactly throw out the welcome mat, they didn't want to lose their jobs. Coaches and managers used the term "chicken Swede", and it had been thrown about since the Rangers signed Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg who actually showed a great deal of courage and toughness to survive in the NHL.

But these sentiments began to fade, the NHL was heading into another expansion period, San Jose would be added in 1991-92, Ottawa and Tampa Bay in 1992-93. NHL talent was spreading thin and it showed. General Managers began to look over seas and it was aided by the crumbling of the Soviet Union and the easing of immigration restrictions for Soviet Players.

Yet before the Iron Curtain fell and David Hasselhoff danced on the ruins, the NHL was slowly welcoming their Soviet brothers. The Flames led the way signing Sergei Pryakhin of the Soviet Wings, he was the first player to be given permission to play in the NH, but he wasn't the Soviet Superman that fans expected, lasting 3 years and putting up 3 goals.

The New Jersey Devils jumped into the pool, looking for ways to breach the barrier. The first breakthrough came in 1989 when they signed Viacheslav Fetisov, Sergei Starikov and Alexi Kasatonov. The Canucks followed suit, they signed Igor Larionov, and Vladimir Krutov, Calgary signed 31 year old Sergei Makarov.

While the assimilation into the NHL wasn't smooth, the success of Makarov and Fetisov convinced other teams to dive into the pool.

In 1990 the Red Wings picked up Segei Fedorov in an unauthorized move that upset Soviet Hockey brokers, but the NHL started throwing money around and it overwhelmed the Bureaucracy. Fedorov went on to lead all rookies in scoring in 1990-91 with 91 points. Other European stars jumped over the ocean. Matts Sundin scored 23 goals for Quebec, Czechoslovakia who had sent the three Stastny brothers to Quebec sent over Bobby Holik who scored 21 goals for Hartford in 1990-91. Jaramir Jagr joined the Penguins and became the last piece of the puzzle as he helped the Pens win their first Stanley Cup as an 18 year old.

Trivia

The Hall of Fame inducts 4 new members including Bill Barber, Fern Flaman and Gil Perrault.
Winnipeg Jets prospect Tod Hartje a Harvard grade becomes the first North American player to play for a Soviet team when he joins Sokol Kiev.
Prior to the season the Jets trade Dale Hawerchuk and a first round pick for a package that includes Phil Housley. Chicago trades Denis Savard to Montreal for Chris "Crybaby" Chelios.
Longtime star Jari Kurri flees Edmonton to play in Italy.
Using the first pick in the draft for a second year in a row, the Nordiques draft Owen Nolan of Cornwall.
NHL Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_NHL_Entry_Draft
The Nordiques pay $350,000 to the Djugarden Hockey Club in Sweden for Mats Sundin's release.
On August 31, Edmonton Goalie Grant Fuhr admits to substance abuse, he'll later be suspended for a year by John Ziegler.
On Oct 26th Wayne Gretzky picks up his 2,0000 career point.
On Jan 25 Brett Hull becomes the 3rd player in NHL history to score 50 goals in less then 50 games when he scores a pair against Detroit.
On March 31, Boston's Chris Nilan receives 6 minor penalties, 2 majors for fighting, a 10 minute misconduct and a game misconduct.
Chicago wins the Norris division title with a 49-23-9 record.
The Maple Leafs finish 2nd last in the NHL, 10 newly acquired players including Peter Zezel and Bob Rouse don't help much.
The LA Kings win their first division title finishing first in the Smyth with a 46-24-10 record. Wayne Gretzky wins another scoring crown with 163 points.
Second place Calgary is led by Theo Fleury with 53 goals and Joe Nieuwendyk with 45.
The Jets trade for 50 goal scorer Ed Olczyk but fail to make the playoffs.
Boston wins the Adams with a 44-24-12 record and enter the playoffs for a record 24th straight year.
The Nordiques finish last in the NHL, although Joe Sakic with 109 points and Mats Sundin with 23 goals show potential.
The Pens win their first ever division title. Mario Lemieux notches 45 points in 26 games as he returns from major back surgery.
The Flyers fail to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.
The Islanders suffer through a hold out and walkout by Pat Lafontaine and win just 25 games.
Only 4 NHLers score 50 goals including Brett Hull, Cam Neely, Theo Fleury and Steve Yzerman.
Five Players, Paul Coffey, Mark Messier, Dave Taylor, Michel Goulet and Dale Hawerchuk join the 1000 point club.
In the playoffs the Pens survive a scare getting past New Jersey in 7, Washington finishes the Rangers in 6 game. The Pens then beat the Caps 4-1.
In the Adams, Boston gets by Hartford in 6, Montreal beats Buffalo in 6, then the Bruins take out the Habs in 7 games.
In the Norris, Minnesota stuns Chicago in 6, The Blues squiggle past Detroit in 7. In the Norris finals The Stars beat the favored Blues in 6 games.
In the Smythe LA beats Vancouver in 6, and Edmonton beats Calgary in 7. Then Edmonton upsets LA in a 6 game series that goes to overtime 4 times.
In the Whales the Pens beat Boston in 6 to earn their first ever Stanley Cup berth.
In the Campbell, The North Stars beat up the Oilrs in 5 games.
In game 1 the Stars win 5-4 over the Pens.
In game 2 the Pens rebound winning 4-1.
On Home Ice the North Stars beat the Pens 3-1.
Pittsburgh comes alive in game 4 as they score 3 goals in the first 3 minutes and win 5-3.
In game 5 the Pens score 4 in the first period and hang on to win 6-4.
The Pens leave no doubt in game 6 as they thump the Stars 8-0 to win their first cup.
Mario Lemieux scores 44 playoff points and wins the Conn Smythe.
Brett Hull wins the Hart and Lester B. Pearson award.
Wayne Gretzky wins the Lady Byng.
Chicago's Ed Balfour leads the league with a 2.47 gaa, and a .910 scvpct and wins the Calder and the Vezina.
Ray Bourque becomes the first 4 time winner of the Norris Trophy since Bobby Orr.
Chicago's Dirk Graham wins the Selke Trophy, while Kings Veteran Dave Taylor wins the Masterton.
Oshawa's Eric Lindros wins the CMJ player of the year.
Spokane wins its first Memorial Cup.
Northern Michigan wins the NCAA title over Boston University.
Boston College center David Emma wins the Hobey Baker.

First Games

Robert Reichel, Calgary Flames
Dominik Hasek, Chicago Blackhawks
Keith Primeau, Detroit Red Wings
Mike Sillinger, Detroit Red Wings
Sergei Fedorov, Detroit Red Wings
Bobby Holik, Hartford Whalers
Geoff Sanderson, Hartford Whalers
John LeClair, Montreal Canadiens
Patrice Brisebois, Montreal Canadiens
Sean Hill*, Montreal Canadiens
Doug Weight*, New York Rangers
Tony Amonte*, New York Rangers
Mike Ricci, Philadelphia Flyers
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins
Mats Sundin, Quebec Nordiques
Owen Nolan, Quebec Nordiques
Petr Nedved, Vancouver Canucks
Dmitri Khristich, Washington Capitals
Peter Bondra, Washington Capitals
Kris Draper, Winnipeg Jets

Last Game

Gord Kluzak, Boston Bruins
Tony McKegney, Chicago Blackhawks
Glen Hanlon, Detroit Red Wings
Don Maloney, New York Islanders
Lindy Ruff, New York Rangers
Pete Peeters, Philadelphia Flyers
Guy Lafleur, Quebec Nordiques
Harold Snepsts, St. Louis Blues
Paul MacLean, St. Louis Blues
Rick Meagher, St. Louis Blues
Stan Smyl, Vancouver Canucks
Joel Quenneville, Washington Capitals

06-07-2024, 05:09 PM	#207
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1990-91 As the NHL expanded teams had trouble with their depth, the deeper into the lineup the shorter the supply of really good NHL players. Before 1989, the European and Soviet players had the skills and talent to play in the NHL, but the NHL didn't exactly throw out the welcome mat. The feeling was that Europeans and Soviets played soft hockey on big ice, and they'd get murdered on the smaller rinks and grittier hockey of the NHL. The other problem was that Canadian and American players didn't exactly throw out the welcome mat, they didn't want to lose their jobs. Coaches and managers used the term "chicken Swede", and it had been thrown about since the Rangers signed Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg who actually showed a great deal of courage and toughness to survive in the NHL. But these sentiments began to fade, the NHL was heading into another expansion period, San Jose would be added in 1991-92, Ottawa and Tampa Bay in 1992-93. NHL talent was spreading thin and it showed. General Managers began to look over seas and it was aided by the crumbling of the Soviet Union and the easing of immigration restrictions for Soviet Players. Yet before the Iron Curtain fell and David Hasselhoff danced on the ruins, the NHL was slowly welcoming their Soviet brothers. The Flames led the way signing Sergei Pryakhin of the Soviet Wings, he was the first player to be given permission to play in the NH, but he wasn't the Soviet Superman that fans expected, lasting 3 years and putting up 3 goals. The New Jersey Devils jumped into the pool, looking for ways to breach the barrier. The first breakthrough came in 1989 when they signed Viacheslav Fetisov, Sergei Starikov and Alexi Kasatonov. The Canucks followed suit, they signed Igor Larionov, and Vladimir Krutov, Calgary signed 31 year old Sergei Makarov. While the assimilation into the NHL wasn't smooth, the success of Makarov and Fetisov convinced other teams to dive into the pool. In 1990 the Red Wings picked up Segei Fedorov in an unauthorized move that upset Soviet Hockey brokers, but the NHL started throwing money around and it overwhelmed the Bureaucracy. Fedorov went on to lead all rookies in scoring in 1990-91 with 91 points. Other European stars jumped over the ocean. Matts Sundin scored 23 goals for Quebec, Czechoslovakia who had sent the three Stastny brothers to Quebec sent over Bobby Holik who scored 21 goals for Hartford in 1990-91. Jaramir Jagr joined the Penguins and became the last piece of the puzzle as he helped the Pens win their first Stanley Cup as an 18 year old. Trivia The Hall of Fame inducts 4 new members including Bill Barber, Fern Flaman and Gil Perrault. Winnipeg Jets prospect Tod Hartje a Harvard grade becomes the first North American player to play for a Soviet team when he joins Sokol Kiev. Prior to the season the Jets trade Dale Hawerchuk and a first round pick for a package that includes Phil Housley. Chicago trades Denis Savard to Montreal for Chris "Crybaby" Chelios. Longtime star Jari Kurri flees Edmonton to play in Italy. Using the first pick in the draft for a second year in a row, the Nordiques draft Owen Nolan of Cornwall. NHL Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_NHL_Entry_Draft The Nordiques pay $350,000 to the Djugarden Hockey Club in Sweden for Mats Sundin's release. On August 31, Edmonton Goalie Grant Fuhr admits to substance abuse, he'll later be suspended for a year by John Ziegler. On Oct 26th Wayne Gretzky picks up his 2,0000 career point. On Jan 25 Brett Hull becomes the 3rd player in NHL history to score 50 goals in less then 50 games when he scores a pair against Detroit. On March 31, Boston's Chris Nilan receives 6 minor penalties, 2 majors for fighting, a 10 minute misconduct and a game misconduct. Chicago wins the Norris division title with a 49-23-9 record. The Maple Leafs finish 2nd last in the NHL, 10 newly acquired players including Peter Zezel and Bob Rouse don't help much. The LA Kings win their first division title finishing first in the Smyth with a 46-24-10 record. Wayne Gretzky wins another scoring crown with 163 points. Second place Calgary is led by Theo Fleury with 53 goals and Joe Nieuwendyk with 45. The Jets trade for 50 goal scorer Ed Olczyk but fail to make the playoffs. Boston wins the Adams with a 44-24-12 record and enter the playoffs for a record 24th straight year. The Nordiques finish last in the NHL, although Joe Sakic with 109 points and Mats Sundin with 23 goals show potential. The Pens win their first ever division title. Mario Lemieux notches 45 points in 26 games as he returns from major back surgery. The Flyers fail to make the playoffs for the second year in a row. The Islanders suffer through a hold out and walkout by Pat Lafontaine and win just 25 games. Only 4 NHLers score 50 goals including Brett Hull, Cam Neely, Theo Fleury and Steve Yzerman. Five Players, Paul Coffey, Mark Messier, Dave Taylor, Michel Goulet and Dale Hawerchuk join the 1000 point club. In the playoffs the Pens survive a scare getting past New Jersey in 7, Washington finishes the Rangers in 6 game. The Pens then beat the Caps 4-1. In the Adams, Boston gets by Hartford in 6, Montreal beats Buffalo in 6, then the Bruins take out the Habs in 7 games. In the Norris, Minnesota stuns Chicago in 6, The Blues squiggle past Detroit in 7. In the Norris finals The Stars beat the favored Blues in 6 games. In the Smythe LA beats Vancouver in 6, and Edmonton beats Calgary in 7. Then Edmonton upsets LA in a 6 game series that goes to overtime 4 times. In the Whales the Pens beat Boston in 6 to earn their first ever Stanley Cup berth. In the Campbell, The North Stars beat up the Oilrs in 5 games. In game 1 the Stars win 5-4 over the Pens. In game 2 the Pens rebound winning 4-1. On Home Ice the North Stars beat the Pens 3-1. Pittsburgh comes alive in game 4 as they score 3 goals in the first 3 minutes and win 5-3. In game 5 the Pens score 4 in the first period and hang on to win 6-4. The Pens leave no doubt in game 6 as they thump the Stars 8-0 to win their first cup. Mario Lemieux scores 44 playoff points and wins the Conn Smythe. Brett Hull wins the Hart and Lester B. Pearson award. Wayne Gretzky wins the Lady Byng. Chicago's Ed Balfour leads the league with a 2.47 gaa, and a .910 scvpct and wins the Calder and the Vezina. Ray Bourque becomes the first 4 time winner of the Norris Trophy since Bobby Orr. Chicago's Dirk Graham wins the Selke Trophy, while Kings Veteran Dave Taylor wins the Masterton. Oshawa's Eric Lindros wins the CMJ player of the year. Spokane wins its first Memorial Cup. Northern Michigan wins the NCAA title over Boston University. Boston College center David Emma wins the Hobey Baker. First Games Robert Reichel, Calgary Flames Dominik Hasek, Chicago Blackhawks Keith Primeau, Detroit Red Wings Mike Sillinger, Detroit Red Wings Sergei Fedorov, Detroit Red Wings Bobby Holik, Hartford Whalers Geoff Sanderson, Hartford Whalers John LeClair, Montreal Canadiens Patrice Brisebois, Montreal Canadiens Sean Hill, Montreal Canadiens Doug Weight, New York Rangers Tony Amonte*, New York Rangers Mike Ricci, Philadelphia Flyers Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins Mats Sundin, Quebec Nordiques Owen Nolan, Quebec Nordiques Petr Nedved, Vancouver Canucks Dmitri Khristich, Washington Capitals Peter Bondra, Washington Capitals Kris Draper, Winnipeg Jets Last Game Gord Kluzak, Boston Bruins Tony McKegney, Chicago Blackhawks Glen Hanlon, Detroit Red Wings Don Maloney, New York Islanders Lindy Ruff, New York Rangers Pete Peeters, Philadelphia Flyers Guy Lafleur, Quebec Nordiques Harold Snepsts, St. Louis Blues Paul MacLean, St. Louis Blues Rick Meagher, St. Louis Blues Stan Smyl, Vancouver Canucks Joel Quenneville, Washington Capitals YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!