Bernie Federko
Encyclopedia
Bernard Allan Federko is a retired professional ice hockey
centre
who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League
from 1976 through 1990.
. He was captain of the 1971 Bantam provincial champions. He also played Senior hockey with the local Foam Lake Flyers
of the Fishing Lake Hockey League, winning the league scoring title as a bantam-aged player. Federko continued his career with the Saskatoon Blades
of the WHL
where he set and still holds the team record for assists. He played three seasons with the Blades, and in his final year with the club he led the league in assists and points in both the regular season and playoffs. As a reward, Federko was drafted 7th overall by the St. Louis Blues
in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft
. He started the next season with the Kansas City Blues
of the Central Hockey League and was leading the league in points when he was called up mid-season to play 31 games with St. Louis. He scored three hat trick
s in those 31 games. In the 1978–79 NHL season, Federko developed into a bonafide star, as he scored 95 points.
Federko would score 100 points in a season four times, and was a consistent and underrated performer for the Blues. Federko scored at least 90 points in seven of the eight seasons between 1978 and 1986, and became the first player in NHL history to record at least 50 assists in 10 consecutive seasons. However, in an era when Wayne Gretzky
was scoring 200 points a season, Federko never got the attention many felt he deserved. In 1986, in a poll conducted by GOAL magazine, he was named the most overlooked talent in hockey. His General Manager
Ron Caron
said he was "A great playmaker. He makes the average or above average player look like a star at times. He's such an unselfish player."
On March 19, 1988, Federko became the 22nd NHL player to record 1000 career points. After a poor season for Federko in 1988–89, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings
with Tony McKegney
for future Blues star Adam Oates
, and Paul MacLean. In Detroit, Federko re-united with former Blues head coach Jacques Demers, but he had to play behind Steve Yzerman
and did not get his desired ice time. After his lowest point output since his rookie season, Federko decided to retire after the 1989–90 season, having played exactly 1,000 NHL games.
in 2002, and is currently a television color commentator for the Blues. He also had his number '24' retired by the Blues on March 16, 1991.
Federko was the head coach/general manager of the St. Louis Vipers InLine team of the Roller Hockey International
for the 1993 and 1994 seasons.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
from 1976 through 1990.
Playing career
Federko began playing hockey at a young age in his home town of Foam Lake, SaskatchewanFoam Lake, Saskatchewan
-References:...
. He was captain of the 1971 Bantam provincial champions. He also played Senior hockey with the local Foam Lake Flyers
Foam Lake Flyers
The Foam Lake Flyers is an amateur senior hockey team based in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan. They have been in existence since the 1940s. Many notable players and coaches have been a part of this team. Buzz Boll coached the team for a few years in the late 1940s. He was a former NHL hockey player...
of the Fishing Lake Hockey League, winning the league scoring title as a bantam-aged player. Federko continued his career with the Saskatoon Blades
Saskatoon Blades
The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:...
of the WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
where he set and still holds the team record for assists. He played three seasons with the Blades, and in his final year with the club he led the league in assists and points in both the regular season and playoffs. As a reward, Federko was drafted 7th overall by the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft
1976 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1976 NHL Amateur Draft was held at the NHL office in Montreal, Quebec on June 1, 1976. It is notable as featuring one of the weakest first rounds in draft history, as only two players played more than 450 career NHL games. In 2002, Federko was elected into the Hockey Hall-of-Fame after...
. He started the next season with the Kansas City Blues
Kansas City Blues (ice hockey)
The Kansas City Blues were a minor-league hockey team based in Kansas City, Missouri that played in the Central Hockey League from 1967 to 1972, and again in the 1976-77 season, mainly as an affiliate of the in-state St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. On February 21, 1971, Michel Plasse...
of the Central Hockey League and was leading the league in points when he was called up mid-season to play 31 games with St. Louis. He scored three hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
s in those 31 games. In the 1978–79 NHL season, Federko developed into a bonafide star, as he scored 95 points.
Federko would score 100 points in a season four times, and was a consistent and underrated performer for the Blues. Federko scored at least 90 points in seven of the eight seasons between 1978 and 1986, and became the first player in NHL history to record at least 50 assists in 10 consecutive seasons. However, in an era when Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
was scoring 200 points a season, Federko never got the attention many felt he deserved. In 1986, in a poll conducted by GOAL magazine, he was named the most overlooked talent in hockey. His General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Ron Caron
Ron Caron
Ronald "Ron" Caron is a Canadian former executive in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues.-Hockey career:...
said he was "A great playmaker. He makes the average or above average player look like a star at times. He's such an unselfish player."
On March 19, 1988, Federko became the 22nd NHL player to record 1000 career points. After a poor season for Federko in 1988–89, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
with Tony McKegney
Tony McKegney
Anthony Syiid McKegney is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, who played thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League from 1978–79 until 1990–91.-Career:...
for future Blues star Adam Oates
Adam Oates
Adam Oates is a retired professional ice hockey and lacrosse player and is currently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils.-Playing career:Oates' break came when Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offered him a scholarship...
, and Paul MacLean. In Detroit, Federko re-united with former Blues head coach Jacques Demers, but he had to play behind Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman
Stephen Gregory "Steve" Yzerman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League...
and did not get his desired ice time. After his lowest point output since his rookie season, Federko decided to retire after the 1989–90 season, having played exactly 1,000 NHL games.
Post-NHL career
Federko was inducted into the Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in 2002, and is currently a television color commentator for the Blues. He also had his number '24' retired by the Blues on March 16, 1991.
Federko was the head coach/general manager of the St. Louis Vipers InLine team of the Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International
Roller Hockey International was a professional inline hockey league that operated in North America from 1993 to 1999. It was the first major professional league for inline hockey....
for the 1993 and 1994 seasons.
Awards
- Named to the WCHL All-Star Team (1976)
- Named WCHL MVP (1976)
- Named to the CHL Second All-Star Team (1977)
- Won Ken McKenzie Trophy as CHL Rookie of the Year (1977)
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game (1980, 1981)
- Named NHL Player of the Week (For week ending December 3, 1984)
Records
- St. Louis Blues team record for career games played (927)
- St. Louis Blues team record for career assists (721)
- St. Louis Blues team record for career points (1073)
- Shares St. Louis Blues team record for assists in one game (5 on February 27, 1988)
- St. Louis Blues team record for career playoff assists (66)
- St. Louis Blues team record for points in one playoff year (21 in 1986)
- St. Louis Blues team record for assists in one playoff year (15 in 1982)
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1973–74 | Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:... |
WCHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
68 | 22 | 28 | 50 | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1974–75 | Saskatoon Blades | WCHL | 66 | 39 | 68 | 107 | 30 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 22 | 8 | ||
| 1975–76 | Saskatoon Blades | WCHL | 72 | 72 | 115 | 187 | 108 | 20 | 18 | 27 | 45 | 8 | ||
| 1976–77 | Kansas City Blues Kansas City Blues (ice hockey) The Kansas City Blues were a minor-league hockey team based in Kansas City, Missouri that played in the Central Hockey League from 1967 to 1972, and again in the 1976-77 season, mainly as an affiliate of the in-state St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. On February 21, 1971, Michel Plasse... |
CHL | 42 | 30 | 39 | 69 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976–77 | St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
31 | 14 | 9 | 23 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1977–78 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 72 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 74 | 31 | 64 | 95 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 79 | 38 | 56 | 94 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1980–81 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 78 | 31 | 73 | 104 | 47 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 2 | ||
| 1981–82 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 74 | 30 | 62 | 92 | 70 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 10 | ||
| 1982–83 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 75 | 24 | 60 | 84 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 1983–84 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 79 | 41 | 66 | 107 | 43 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | ||
| 1984–85 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 76 | 30 | 73 | 103 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1985–86 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 80 | 34 | 68 | 102 | 34 | 19 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 17 | ||
| 1986–87 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 64 | 20 | 52 | 72 | 32 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 18 | ||
| 1987–88 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 79 | 20 | 69 | 89 | 52 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 18 | ||
| 1988–89 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 66 | 22 | 45 | 67 | 54 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 0 | ||
| 1989–90 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL | 73 | 17 | 40 | 57 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| WCHL totals | 206 | 133 | 211 | 344 | 157 | 43 | 33 | 34 | 67 | 18 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1000 | 369 | 761 | 1130 | 487 | 91 | 35 | 66 | 101 | 83 | ||||
See also
- List of NHL players with 1000 points
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played
- List of NHL players with 100-point seasons
- Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of FameThe Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
- List of NHL statistical leaders