Eric Daze
Encyclopedia
Éric Dazé is a retired Canadian
professional ice hockey
winger
for the Chicago Blackhawks
of the National Hockey League
for eleven seasons.
, he joined the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
(QMJHL) before being traded to the Beauport Harfangs
late in the season. Despite starring for Beauport, and a strong junior career (finishing with 261 points in 191 games), Daze's value amongst NHL
scouts dropped sharply due to his unwillingness to play a rough game, despite possessing the abilities for it.
Daze was drafted in the fourth round, 90th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
by the Chicago Blackhawks
(with the draft pick the Blackhawks received with Stephane Beauregard
for Dominik Hasek
). He had early success and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team
in 1996 after scoring 30 goals as a rookie. He scored at least 20 goals in each season between 1996 and 2003, even when struggling with injuries, and was named to the NHL All-Star Game in 2002. Daze who was appearing in his first All-Star Game, was named game MVP (two goals/one assist), becoming the first Blackhawk player to win the award since Bobby Hull
in 1971. He often polarized Chicago fans because he showed a reluctance to involve himself in the physical (hitting) aspect of the game despite his prototypical power forward build. Instead he displayed a combination of size and good scoring ability, especially during key, or clutch, moments of the game. He possessed a quick wrist shot and an excellence with one-timers.
Unfortunately, Daze ran into severe back problems during his career, which limited him to only 19 games in the 2003–04 NHL season. Even after three herniated disc
surgeries in a five-year span, pain was still a problem in Daze's back when he attempted to return to the Blackhawks in 2005. He quietly left professional hockey after playing a single period in the season opener for the Blackhawks that season. On March 20, 2010, Daze officially announced his retirement on the Comcast Sportsnet pregame show before the Hawks game.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
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...
winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
for the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
of 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...
for eleven seasons.
Playing career
Eric Daze began his career playing midget with Laval in Quebec AAA Midget Hockey League. In the 1992–931992–93 QMJHL season
The 1992–93 QMJHL season was the 24th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Ron Lapointe Trophy, for the "Coach of the Year," and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year award. Twelve teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Faucons...
, he joined the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QMJHL) before being traded to the Beauport Harfangs
Beauport Harfangs
The Beauport Harfangs were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1990 to 1997. They played their home games at the Aréna Marcel Bédard in the Quebec City suburb of Beauport, Quebec. The team's first coach was Alain Chainey, who was an assistant coach with the...
late in the season. Despite starring for Beauport, and a strong junior career (finishing with 261 points in 191 games), Daze's value amongst 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...
scouts dropped sharply due to his unwillingness to play a rough game, despite possessing the abilities for it.
Daze was drafted in the fourth round, 90th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
(with the draft pick the Blackhawks received with Stephane Beauregard
Stephane Beauregard
Stephane Beauregard is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:Winnipeg Jets 3rd choice, 52nd overall, in 1988 Entry Draft. Traded to Buffalo Sabres for Christian Ruuttu and future considerations, June 15, 1992...
for Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
). He had early success and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team
NHL All-Rookie Team
The NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
in 1996 after scoring 30 goals as a rookie. He scored at least 20 goals in each season between 1996 and 2003, even when struggling with injuries, and was named to the NHL All-Star Game in 2002. Daze who was appearing in his first All-Star Game, was named game MVP (two goals/one assist), becoming the first Blackhawk player to win the award since Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull
Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...
in 1971. He often polarized Chicago fans because he showed a reluctance to involve himself in the physical (hitting) aspect of the game despite his prototypical power forward build. Instead he displayed a combination of size and good scoring ability, especially during key, or clutch, moments of the game. He possessed a quick wrist shot and an excellence with one-timers.
Unfortunately, Daze ran into severe back problems during his career, which limited him to only 19 games in the 2003–04 NHL season. Even after three herniated disc
Spinal disc herniation
A spinal disc herniation , informally and misleadingly called a "slipped disc", is a medical condition affecting the spine due to trauma, lifting injuries, or idiopathic, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion A spinal disc herniation...
surgeries in a five-year span, pain was still a problem in Daze's back when he attempted to return to the Blackhawks in 2005. He quietly left professional hockey after playing a single period in the season opener for the Blackhawks that season. On March 20, 2010, Daze officially announced his retirement on the Comcast Sportsnet pregame show before the Hawks game.
Awards
- 19941993–94 QMJHL seasonThe 1993–94 QMJHL season was the 25th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils a special logo/patch for its 25th anniversary. The league expands northward, granting an expansion franchise in Val-d'Or, Quebec. Thirteen teams played 72 games each in the schedule...
— QMJHLQuebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
First All-Star Team - 19951994–95 QMJHL seasonThe 1994–95 QMJHL season was the 26th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils an updated logo one season after its special 25th anniversary logo, using a stylized ice skate and the letters of the league's French acronym...
— QMJHL First All-Star Team - 1995 — QMJHL Frank J. Selke Memorial TrophyFrank J. Selke Memorial TrophyThe Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The award began in the 1969–70 season as a team trophy awarded to the league's West Division champions. It has been awarded in its present form since 1970–71 after just...
(Most Gentlemanly Player) - 1995 — CHL Sportsman of the Year Award
- 1996 — NHL All-Rookie TeamNHL All-Rookie TeamThe NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
- 2002 — Played in NHL All-Star Game52nd National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 52nd National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on February 2, 2002, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The final score was World 8, North America 5. This was the last National Hockey League All-Star Game to have the North America vs...
- 2002 — NHL All-Star Game MVP
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 | ||
| 1990–91 | Laval Regents | QAHA | 30 | 25 | 20 | 45 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Laval Regents | QAAA | 35 | 30 | 29 | 59 | 40 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 8 | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 QMJHL season The 1992–93 QMJHL season was the 24th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Ron Lapointe Trophy, for the "Coach of the Year," and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year award. Twelve teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Faucons... |
Hull Olympiques | QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... |
55 | 13 | 19 | 32 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Beauport Harfangs Beauport Harfangs The Beauport Harfangs were a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1990 to 1997. They played their home games at the Aréna Marcel Bédard in the Quebec City suburb of Beauport, Quebec. The team's first coach was Alain Chainey, who was an assistant coach with the... |
QMJHL | 13 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 QMJHL season The 1993–94 QMJHL season was the 25th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils a special logo/patch for its 25th anniversary. The league expands northward, granting an expansion franchise in Val-d'Or, Quebec. Thirteen teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
Beauport Harfangs | QMJHL | 66 | 59 | 48 | 107 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 QMJHL season The 1994–95 QMJHL season was the 26th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils an updated logo one season after its special 25th anniversary logo, using a stylized ice skate and the letters of the league's French acronym... |
Beauport Harfangs | QMJHL | 57 | 54 | 45 | 99 | 20 | 16 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 23 | ||
| 1994–95 | Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... |
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... |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1995–96 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 80 | 30 | 23 | 53 | 18 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3 | ||
| 1996–97 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 71 | 22 | 19 | 41 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 1997–98 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 80 | 31 | 11 | 42 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 72 | 22 | 20 | 42 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 59 | 23 | 13 | 36 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 79 | 33 | 24 | 57 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 82 | 38 | 32 | 70 | 36 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 54 | 22 | 22 | 44 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 19 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | DNP — NHL lockout | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 601 | 226 | 172 | 398 | 176 | 37 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 8 | ||||
| QMJHL totals | 191 | 132 | 129 | 261 | 75 | 31 | 25 | 20 | 45 | 4 | ||||
International statistics
| Year | Team | Comp | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Canada | WJC 1995 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1995 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 18th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was hosted in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada with games held throughout central Alberta... |
7 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 1998 | Canada | WC 1998 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -World Championship Group C :Played March 22-28 in Budapest, Székesfehérvár and Dunaújváros.- Group 1 :- Group 2 :- Final Round 25-28 Place :Hungary was promoted to Group B.- Consolation Round 29-32 Place :... |
3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| 1999 | Canada | WC 1999 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -World Championship Group C:Played at Eindhoven and Tilburg, Netherlands April 5–11. Yugoslavia was supposed to particpate in this tournament, but was prevented by the host Dutch government.-Group 1:-Group 2:-Final Round 25-28 Place:... |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |