• Born 4 April 1963 in Toronto, Ontario.
• Centre
• 16 NHL Seasons (1981-1997)
• Played for Winnipeg, Buffalo, St. Louis & Philadelphia
• Scored 518 goals & 891 assists
• Played in 5 All Star Games and won the Calder Trophy in 1982.
• Dale’s first ten years in the NHL he played 80 games nine times, scored more than 40 goals 7 times, 10 seasons he recorded more than 90 points and 10 seasons over 100 minutes in penalties.
• Inducted into the HHOF 2001

Throughout his early years, Dale Hawerchuk was constantly facing comparisons to the game's greatest player, Wayne Gretzky. Mike Doran, the Winnipeg Jets' Director of Player Personnel in 1981, once said, "He has the same instincts, that puck sense, of Gretzky." Hawerchuk would not disappoint his fans, leading his team in scoring at every age.

Dale Hawerchuk was born on April 4, 1963, in the Rexdale area of Toronto. At an extremely early age his parents, Ed and Eleanor, moved the family to Oshawa. Dale received his first pair of skates at age two and, as his father put it, "He was skating before he could walk." Beginning competitive hockey at age four, Hawerchuk demonstrated superior skills almost immediately. At a Peewee tournament in Montreal, he scored all eight goals during an 8-1 victory in the finals, smashing Guy Lafleur's long-held record. By age 15, the famed Oshawa Generals offered him a tryout. He didn't make the club, but the Generals tried to hide him in their local Junior 'B' club, a plan that didn't work.

During the summer of 1979, Hawerchuk was selected 6th overall by the Cornwall Royals of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Although part of the Quebec League, Cornwall participated in the Ontario Draft, thus enabling them to grab Hawerchuk. He immediately set the league on fire, recording 103 points and garnering Rookie-of-the-Year honours. During the playoffs, he was named MVP, scoring 45 points in 18 games. He then led the Royals to the Memorial Cup championship, scoring three points in the final, capturing the Most Sportsmanlike Player Award, and being named to the All-Star Team at left wing.

Following their championship, the Royals were selected to represent Canada at the 1981 World Junior tournament when club teams were still sent. Despite a poor showing by the team, Hawerchuk dominated the tournament, his first international competition, tying for the scoring lead with nine points. That OHL season, he bettered his previous offensive totals, scoring 81 goals and 183 points and again leading the Royals to their second consecutive Memorial Cup title, setting a tournament record for goals (eight). For his efforts, Hawerchuk was named a QMJHL First Team All-Star, the Canadian Major Junior Player-of-the-Year, and Memorial Cup MVP/All-Star Centre. NHL Scouts drooled over the prospect of adding him to their club.

Based on their last place overall finish, the Winnipeg Jets earned the right to select first at the 1981 Entry Draft. John Ferguson made quite clear to teams around the league who their choice was going to be. Two months after the draft, on August 13, 1981 while the Jets were celebrating the club's tenth anniversary at the corner of Portage & Main Streets, Hawerchuk was introduced to Winnipeg fans. He was driven to the celebration in a Brinks truck, signed his first pro contract, and was handed jersey #10, all with the Mayor and members of Provincial Government present. The pressure was now on for him to produce.

At age 18, Hawerchuk took Winnipeg and the NHL by storm, smashing team records along the way. By season's end, "Ducky" as he was called by teammates, had led the Jets to the largest single season turn-around by one team in NHL history, a 48-point improvement. He shattered 17 club records in the process and became the youngest NHL player in history to reach the 100-point plateau, finishing with 103 points, the second best total by a rookie in NHL history. For his efforts, he captured the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie-of-the-Year—the youngest to win that award—and played in his first All-Star Game. Hawerchuk was now the darling of Winnipeg and was showered with media attention.

Admittedly a shy, reserved young man, Hawerchuk moved to a ranch outside the city limits to get away from the constant attention; however, his play would continue to attract notice. Other than a slight slump during his sophomore season in which he recorded 91 points, he reach the 100-point mark for five consecutive years, including a career-high 53 goals and 130 points in 1984-85, becoming the third youngest in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season. Goal Magazine referred to him as, "Mini-Gretzky," as he was named a Second Team All-Star behind #99 himself and was runner-up for the Hart Trophy. By the 1989-90 season, after three more All-Star Game appearances and Rendez-vous '87, Hawerchuk had re-written the Jets record book.

During the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, Hawerchuk, "Mr. Winnipeg Jet," was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. Over the next five years he led the Sabres in scoring three times, recording no fewer than 86 points (save an injury plagued 1994-95 season). Included in his totals was a 98-point campaign in 1991-92 in which he was also a member of Team Canada's entry at the Canada Cup tournament.

Throughout his career, Hawerchuk was the consummate Canadian, always answering the call to international play when asked upon. Following a disappointing first round exit from the playoffs during his first year in Winnipeg, he met up with Canada at the 1982 World Championships winning a bronze medal. He also joined Canada in 1986 and 1989, winning another bronze and a silver medal, respectively. While perhaps his biggest hockey disappointment was not being invited to the 1984 Canada Cup training camp, his greatest hockey thrill (along with the Memorial Cup wins) was playing for Team Canada at the 1987 tournament. Hawerchuk played a checking role on the team behind Gretzky, Lemieux, and Messier, yet was instrumental in their success, winning the face-off that led to Canada's second-most famous goal. He was again a key cog in Canada's 1991 victory, moving to centre following an injury to Wayne Gretzky.

As an unrestricted free agent during the summer of 1995, Hawerchuk signed with the St. Louis Blues, recording 41 points in 66 games before a trade to the Philadelphia Flyers. He finished the season strongly, scoring 20 points in the season's final 16 games and adding 12 points in the playoffs. The next season, he was again plagued by injuries but still managed 34 points and was selected by the Commissioner to play in his fifth and final All-Star Game, scoring two goals. Despite a strong playoff run and a final shot at the Stanley Cup, the end was now in sight. Hawerchuk announced his retirement from the game following the 1996-97 season at age 34.

Despite playing in Western Canada during an era dominated by Edmonton and Calgary, Hawerchuk missed the playoffs only once during his 16-year career. During an era dominated by Gretzky and Lemieux, Hawerchuk recorded more than a point-per-game for 13 consecutive seasons. In a poll of NHL general managers during the mid-1980's asking them to select the player they would start a franchise with, Hawerchuk was voted third behind only Gretzky and Paul Coffey. He was the 23rd player to reach the 500-goal plateau in 1995-96 and the 31st player to record 1,000 points in 1990-91. His final career totals included 518 goals, 891 assists and 1,409 points, placing him 10th on the career NHL points list.

Interview with a Legend by Ken Newans

In a recent smokey bar debate I could have won a lot of money—not a member of this sport savvy group realized that Dale Hawerchuk had scored more goals in his first NHL decade than “The Rocket”, “Boom Boom”, Belliveau, Cournoyer, Howe or Hull and many other established NHL Legends. Perhaps because he never played on a Stanley Cup Winner, or because he played most of his career in Winnipeg away from the national spotlight; Hawerchuk is often overlooked, he was an awesome talent! Dale was only 5’10’’- 180 lbs, but rugged. He was the Jets only star—he carried the team.

He was the complete package.

Dale was an impact player in three World Championships and two Canada Cups- including 1987, the greatest Canada Cup ever played.

 

Hawerchuk on the Olympic Hockey finale 2002

I was surprised how Canada dominated the Americans. Had it not been for goalie Richter and the erratic Canadian shooting they could have put the Yanks away much sooner.

The Canadian forecheck was tenacious and it forced the American defense to make a lot of bad decisions. I don’t believe the Americans were prepared to be attacked so quickly and thereby negating the American Speed advantage.

Pat Quinn, and his coaching staff seem to make more effective line changes than their counterparts. You just had to watch American towline of Modano, Roenick and Hull; they were in trouble early, couldn’t cycle down low and had difficulty finding open ice. When they did, the Canadians roped them in very quickly.

 

Hawerchuk on Mario

Mario wasn’t dominant like he was when I played against him, when he could control the whole game. Fans forget when there was something on the line like The Stanley Cup, Lemieux was one of the games greatest defensive players. His wheels aren’t like they once were, but the wheels in his mind are just as sharp and he makes great decisions. He made everyone around him better. In the Gold Medal final his approach was to calm everyone down, don’t get too excited. When Iginla made it 4-2 in the third, it was Mario who went to the bench and spoke to each player. “Calm down, be smart and we’ll get what we came for.”

 

Q: Dale, when I watch Joe Sakic play he reminds me of Dale Hawerchuk!

You’re not the first person to make that comparison and I’m pleased to be considered in the Sakic mould. When I played I was very proud and I believe Joe and I do share a burning desire to succeed. Sakic appeared to be on a mission during the Olympics. His ability to lead by example inspired young players like Iginla and Gagner to reach for another level of excellence.

 

Q: What can you learn Dale, from the Olympic Hockey? Should we eliminate the red line, adopt the 15-second face off and the international icing rule!

I say “no” to the elimination of the redline. They need to make the ice surface bigger, even if you eliminate some seats. Players are much bigger today and more agile, but there is no room to wind up and skate. I like the 15 second face off rule, but to change the icing rule would eliminate some of the end-to-end speed of the game.

The NHL needs to do something because there is something missing in today’s NHL product. It starts in minor hockey, where everything is so structured. It’s time to let the kids have fun and allow them to be more creative. Kids have so many choices today in music, extreme sports, all those Olympic Sports. If we don’t give them time and space to enjoy hockey, we are going to lose them. When I played minor hockey I also played basketball and it was great.

I got away from the rink and it helps you make choices. Hockey kids should be allowed to play other sports.

 

Hawerchuk on his greatest hockey thrill!

Getting into the NHL Hall of Fame is very satisfying. However, my greatest memory was the 1987 Canada Cup. We played Russia in the final before the Berlin Wall came down and it was still “our democracy” versus “their communism.” When you stepped onto the ice to play them they had a mystic and it was almost war. Amazingly, in the best of 3 final, Russia won in Montreal (6-5) and then we switched to Hamilton where we won mid-way through the second overtime period. To play in that atmosphere was the ultimate experience.

In both final games Gretzky set up Lemieux for the winning goal. The last one was scored with 1.26 remaining in the game. I played on a line with Brent Sutter and Rick Tocchet and we clicked for 9 goals. The tempo of those games, the crowd hysteria with worldwide media coverage, made it the greatest series ever played except for the ’72 summit series.

 

Q: There was no Stanley Cup in your career, do you regret not demanding a trade from Winnipeg to a contender?

Free agency was an option the owners frowned upon and the fans labeled you a traitor if you even mentioned it. We had a good team in Winnipeg, but we played in a division when Calgary and Edmonton were better. We could at times get by one of them, but not both. The difference might have been goal tending; the Oilers had Fuhr, the Flames had Vernon and we never had a legitimate star in the nets. After I was traded to Buffalo, we had a chance in 1992-93. We played Montreal in the division final and lost four straight, all by one goal and two in overtime. We were riddled with injuries, Moginly had a broken ankle, LaFontaine a bad back, Fuhr tore his groin but still played and Hasek was nailed to the bench. The Habs went on to win their final Stanley Cup, and had it not been for the injuries, it could have been ours.

My final year in Philadelphia we reached the final, but we were bounced by the Oilers. That year my left hip was disintegrating and even anti-inflammatories couldn’t control the pain. I was forced to retire.

 

Q: I wouldn’t let Dale name Gretzky or Lemieux. Who else would you name as the best players in the world?

That’s easy, Bobby Orr and Gilbert Perreault because they controlled the pace of the game. They had such skill, it was a thrill to watch them practice.

 

Dale has a unique post-hockey career!

My wife Crystal and I own and operate an equestrian center north of Toronto. We breed, train, show, buy and sell horses and are involved in the artificial insemination business.

We have three horses training and performing at Oakalla Farms in Florida. Crystal is off to Germany soon on a buying trip. We want to acquire some more purebred Hanoverians and Holsteiners. We have been at Spruce Meadows in Calgary and want to have the quality of horses we can show there soon.