Butch Goring
Encyclopedia
Robert "Butch" Goring (born October 22, 1949) is a retired Canadian ice hockey
player. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League
(NHL) for the Los Angeles Kings
, New York Islanders
and Boston Bruins
. He is a four-time Stanley Cup
winner with the Islanders. Since retiring as a player he has served as head coach of both the Bruins and Islanders. He currently serves as the Islanders TV color commentator
alongside long-time Islanders announcer Howie Rose
.
of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL)
, Goring was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings
in the fifth round (51st overall) of the 1969 NHL Entry Draft. He played parts of two seasons for the Kings in 1970 and 1971, bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles and their AHL
affiliate, the Springfield Indians
. He had a very successful season in Springfield in 1971
, leading the league in playoff goals, assists and points in helping his team (along with future Hall of Fame
goaltender and future Islanders' teammate Billy Smith
) win the Calder Cup
championship.
The next season Goring was promoted for good to the NHL, and starred for nine seasons for the Los Angeles Kings, developing into one of the most complete players in the league. In the 1975–76 playoff quarterfinal series vs. Boston, Goring scored the overtime game winning goal in game 2 and game 6. He won both the Bill Masterton Trophy and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
in 1978. Prior to the 1978–79 season he was offered a five-year, $1-million contract by the World Hockey Association
's Edmonton Oilers
. Although he turned the offer down, he realized he wasn't under appreciated around the NHL
as he had suspected.
In the 1980 season, Goring was traded in March to the New York Islanders
in exchange for Billy Harris and Dave Lewis, and was widely regarded as being one of the key elements that pushed the Islanders over the top to become champions. That season, he scored 19 points in 21 playoff games to help the Islanders to the first of four consecutive Stanley Cup
s. The next season (1980–81), he improved upon his previous playoff run, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists in 20 playoff games, and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy
as the playoff most valuable player, as the Islanders won their second Cup.
Goring's final NHL season was 1985. After his release by the Islanders, he played effectively for half a season with the Boston Bruins
, before retiring and becoming the Bruins' head coach for a season and a half. After he was fired as the Bruins' coach in 1987, he played briefly for the Nova Scotia Oilers
of the AHL before retiring for good.
Goring retired having played 1107 games, with 375 goals and 513 assists for 888 points. He recorded only 102 penalty minutes, the lowest total in NHL history for a player appearing in more than a thousand games.
Goring was most recognizable on the ice for a helmet that he had worn since he was 12 years old and continued to wear throughout his entire professional career. He also developed a reputation for perhaps the poorest fashion sense in the league. In the 1970s, on a road trip with the Kings, a burglar broke into his hotel room and stole everything that belonged to his roommate but left all of Goring's clothes hanging in the closet untouched.
Former Islanders' teammate Mike Bossy
stated on a 2010 episode of TSN
's Off The Record
that Goring is quite likely the originator of the NHL's tradition of growing a beard in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
in the 1999–2000 season and most of the following season – he was fired by the Islanders on March 4, 2001. He also served as the head coach for several minor league teams, including
the Capital District Islanders
, Las Vegas Thunder
, Denver Grizzlies, Utah Grizzlies
, and Anchorage Aces, winning two championships. In 2002–2003 he took over the Krefeld Penguins
of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga and led them to their first championship since 1952. In 2004–2005, he was the coach of the DEG Metro Stars
hockey team in Germany.
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...
player. He played 16 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...
(NHL) for the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
. He is a four-time Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
winner with the Islanders. Since retiring as a player he has served as head coach of both the Bruins and Islanders. He currently serves as the Islanders TV color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
alongside long-time Islanders announcer Howie Rose
Howie Rose
Howie Rose is an American sportscaster. He is currently the radio voice of the New York Mets on WFAN, and the television announcer for the New York Islanders on MSG Plus.-Early life and career:...
.
Playing career
After finishing his junior career with the Dauphin KingsDauphin Kings
The Dauphin Kings are a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League , a part of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League and Hockey Canada...
of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL)
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
, Goring was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the fifth round (51st overall) of the 1969 NHL Entry Draft. He played parts of two seasons for the Kings in 1970 and 1971, bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles and their AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate, the Springfield Indians
Springfield Indians
The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
. He had a very successful season in Springfield in 1971
1970–71 AHL season
The 1970–71 AHL season was the 35th season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Baltimore Clippers finished first overall in the regular season...
, leading the league in playoff goals, assists and points in helping his team (along with future Hall of Fame
Hockey 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...
goaltender and future Islanders' teammate Billy Smith
Billy Smith (ice hockey)
William John Smith, better known as Billy Smith, is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender and is best known for winning four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and being the first goalie to be credited with a goal....
) win the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
championship.
The next season Goring was promoted for good to the NHL, and starred for nine seasons for the Los Angeles Kings, developing into one of the most complete players in the league. In the 1975–76 playoff quarterfinal series vs. Boston, Goring scored the overtime game winning goal in game 2 and game 6. He won both the Bill Masterton Trophy and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
in 1978. Prior to the 1978–79 season he was offered a five-year, $1-million contract by the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
's Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. Although he turned the offer down, he realized he wasn't under appreciated around the 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...
as he had suspected.
In the 1980 season, Goring was traded in March to the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Billy Harris and Dave Lewis, and was widely regarded as being one of the key elements that pushed the Islanders over the top to become champions. That season, he scored 19 points in 21 playoff games to help the Islanders to the first of four consecutive Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
s. The next season (1980–81), he improved upon his previous playoff run, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists in 20 playoff games, and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
as the playoff most valuable player, as the Islanders won their second Cup.
Goring's final NHL season was 1985. After his release by the Islanders, he played effectively for half a season with the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
, before retiring and becoming the Bruins' head coach for a season and a half. After he was fired as the Bruins' coach in 1987, he played briefly for the Nova Scotia Oilers
Nova Scotia Oilers
The Nova Scotia Oilers were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1984 to 1988. The Oilers played their home games at the Halifax Metro Centre, and were the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, whose logo theirs resembled.The Oilers...
of the AHL before retiring for good.
Goring retired having played 1107 games, with 375 goals and 513 assists for 888 points. He recorded only 102 penalty minutes, the lowest total in NHL history for a player appearing in more than a thousand games.
Goring was most recognizable on the ice for a helmet that he had worn since he was 12 years old and continued to wear throughout his entire professional career. He also developed a reputation for perhaps the poorest fashion sense in the league. In the 1970s, on a road trip with the Kings, a burglar broke into his hotel room and stole everything that belonged to his roommate but left all of Goring's clothes hanging in the closet untouched.
Former Islanders' teammate Mike Bossy
Mike Bossy
Michael Dean Bossy is a former Canadian ice hockey player who played for the New York Islanders for his entire career and was part of their four-year reign as Stanley Cup champions in the early 1980s...
stated on a 2010 episode of TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
's Off The Record
Off The Record (TSN TV series)
Off the Record with Michael Landsberg, a.k.a. Off the Record or OTR, is a Canadian sports talk show on TSN hosted by Michael Landsberg...
that Goring is quite likely the originator of the NHL's tradition of growing a beard in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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 | ||
| 1966–67 1966–67 MJHL season -Champion:On April 7 in Flin Flon, the Bombers won the MJHL championship and were presented with the Turnbull Memorial Trophy.-League Notes:Brandon Wheat Kings and Flin Flon Bombers transfer from the SJHL, after league folds.... |
Winnipeg Rangers Winnipeg Rangers The Winnipeg Rangers were a Canadian junior hockey team in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Rangers won 4 Turnbull Cup Championships as Manitoba Junior Champions, 1941, 1943, 1961, and 1966.... |
MJHL Manitoba Junior Hockey League The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League .... |
51 | 35 | 31 | 66 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 1969–70 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
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... |
59 | 13 | 23 | 36 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1969–70 1969–70 AHL season The 1969–70 AHL season was the 34th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Montreal Voyageurs became the second Canadian-based team in the league, and finished first overall in the regular season... |
Springfield Kings | AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
19 | 13 | 7 | 20 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1970–71 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 19 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1970–71 1970–71 AHL season The 1970–71 AHL season was the 35th season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Baltimore Clippers finished first overall in the regular season... |
Springfield Kings | AHL | 40 | 23 | 32 | 55 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 0 | ||
| 1971–72 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 74 | 21 | 29 | 50 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972–73 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 67 | 28 | 31 | 59 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1973–74 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 70 | 28 | 33 | 61 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1974–75 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 27 | 33 | 60 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1975–76 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 33 | 40 | 73 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 1976–77 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 78 | 30 | 55 | 85 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 0 | ||
| 1977–78 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 37 | 36 | 73 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1978–79 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 80 | 36 | 51 | 87 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1979–80 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 69 | 20 | 48 | 68 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... * |
NHL | 12 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 21 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 2 | ||
| 1980–81 | New York Islanders* | NHL | 78 | 23 | 37 | 60 | 0 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 6 | ||
| 1981–82 | New York Islanders* | NHL | 67 | 15 | 17 | 32 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 12 | ||
| 1982–83 | New York Islanders* | NHL | 75 | 19 | 20 | 39 | 8 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 4 | ||
| 1983–84 | New York Islanders | NHL | 71 | 22 | 24 | 46 | 8 | 21 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 1984–85 | New York Islanders | NHL | 29 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL | 39 | 13 | 21 | 34 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1986–87 1986–87 AHL season The 1986–87 AHL season was the 51st season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league institutes awarding one point in the standings, for an overtime loss... |
Nova Scotia Oilers Nova Scotia Oilers The Nova Scotia Oilers were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1984 to 1988. The Oilers played their home games at the Halifax Metro Centre, and were the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, whose logo theirs resembled.The Oilers... |
AHL | 10 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1107 | 375 | 513 | 888 | 102 | 134 | 38 | 50 | 88 | 32 | ||||
- *Stanley Cup champion
Coaching career
Goring served two stints as an NHL head coach. He coached the Bruins in the 1985–86 season and the early part of the following campaign; he also coached the New York IslandersNew York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1999–2000 season and most of the following season – he was fired by the Islanders on March 4, 2001. He also served as the head coach for several minor league teams, including
the Capital District Islanders
Capital District Islanders
The Capital District Islanders were a team in the American Hockey League based in Troy, New York, which is located within a region popularly called the Capital District...
, Las Vegas Thunder
Las Vegas Thunder
The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999...
, Denver Grizzlies, Utah Grizzlies
Utah Grizzlies
The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :...
, and Anchorage Aces, winning two championships. In 2002–2003 he took over the Krefeld Penguins
Krefeld Pinguine
The Krefeld Pinguine are an ice hockey team in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. They play in Krefeld, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany at the KönigPALAST. Founded first in 1936, the pro team became a limited liability company in 1994 and joined the top tier Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga and led them to their first championship since 1952. In 2004–2005, he was the coach of the DEG Metro Stars
DEG Metro Stars
The DEG Metro Stars is a German professional ice hockey team in Düsseldorf. It was Germany's most successful hockey club for a long time and had many international players...
hockey team in Germany.
Coaching record
| Team | |Regular season | BOS Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
1985–86 | 80 | 37 | 31 | 12 | — | 86 | 3rd in Adams Adams Division The NHL's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins... |
Lost in first round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOS | 1986–87 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 1 | — | (85) | 3rd in Adams | (fired) | ||
| NYI New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
1999–2000 | 82 | 24 | 48 | 9 | 1 | 58 | 5th in Atlantic Atlantic Division (NHL) The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won... |
Missed playoffs | ||
| NYI | 2000–01 | 65 | 17 | 40 | 5 | 3 | (52) | 5th in Atlantic | (fired) | ||
| Total | 240 | 83 | 126 | 27 | 4 | ||||||
Career achievements and facts
- MJHL Hockey Ability and Sportsmanship Award winner (19671966–67 MJHL season-Champion:On April 7 in Flin Flon, the Bombers won the MJHL championship and were presented with the Turnbull Memorial Trophy.-League Notes:Brandon Wheat Kings and Flin Flon Bombers transfer from the SJHL, after league folds....
) - Turnbull Cup (MJHL championship) (19691968–69 MJHL season-Champion:On March 19, 1969 in St. Boniface, the Dauphin Kings were crowned MJHL Champions, capturing the Turnbull Memorial Trophy. The Kings trounced the St...
) - Calder CupCalder CupThe Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
(AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
championship) (19711970–71 AHL seasonThe 1970–71 AHL season was the 35th season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Baltimore Clippers finished first overall in the regular season...
) - Bill Masterton Trophy winner (1978)
- Lady Byng Trophy winner (1978)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (1980)
- Conn Smythe TrophyConn Smythe TrophyThe Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
winner (1981) - Played in the Canada CupCanada Cup (ice hockey)The Canada Cup was an invitational international ice hockey tournament held on five occasions between 1976 and 1991. The tournament was created to meet demand for a true world championship that allowed the best players from participating nations to compete regardless of their status as professional...
Tournament for Team CanadaCanadian national men's hockey teamThe Canadian national ice hockey team is the ice hockey team representing Canada. The team is overseen by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and participates in international competitions. From 1920 until 1963, Canada's international representation was by senior...
(19811981 Canada CupThe 1981 Canada Cup was the second best-on-best ice hockey world championship and involved the world's top six hockey nations. Tournament games were held in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Ottawa. The Soviet Union defeated Canada in a single game final to win its first title, while Soviet...
) - Named Manitoba's Athlete of the Year (1981)
- IHL Coach of Year (1995 and 1996)
- Turner CupTurner CupThe Turner Cup is the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. The Cup is named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League...
(IHL) Championships (1995 and 1996) - One of the first players in the league to wear a helmet regularly.
- The very last active player that had played during the 1960s
- Inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and MuseumManitoba Sports Hall of Fame and MuseumThe Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, dedicated to the history of sport in Manitoba and honouring the best in sport. The organization began in 1980 and in 1993, a museum was opened in The Forks...
in 1992 - “Honoured Member” of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of FameManitoba Hockey Hall of FameThe Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1985 when the first honoured members were named and plaques were erected in their honour. The first group of inductees was large in order to recognize the accomplishments of Manitoba players, coaches, builders and teams at the...