Randy McKay

Last updated
Randy McKay
Born (1967-01-25) January 25, 1967 (age 57)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Detroit Red Wings
New Jersey Devils
Dallas Stars
Montreal Canadiens
NHL Draft 113th overall, 1985
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 1988–2003

Hugh Randall McKay (born January 25, 1967) is a Canadian former professional hockey player. Playing the right wing position, he played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1988 to 2003 with the Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens. He was commonly referred to as Randy "The Rocket" Mckay" [1] for not only his physical playstyle and consistent double digit goal seasons, but also most notably for his "head high screamers" or hard slapshots into the upper corner of the net.

Contents

Playing career

McKay was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round, 113th overall, of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He split the 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90 seasons between the Red Wings and their affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Adirondack Red Wings. McKay stuck with the Wings in the NHL for the 1990–91 season, appearing in 47 games. While showing a scoring touch in the AHL, McKay only scored 4 goals in 83 total games with the Red Wings and was unable to find consistent playing time. Following the season, McKay and Dave Barr were sent by rule of an arbitrator to the New Jersey Devils as compensation for the Red Wings' signing of free agent Troy Crowder. [2] [3] The deal did not work out for the Wings as Crowder only played in seven games for the team before incurring a serious injury. McKay developed into a solid third and fourth line player that the Wings would later covet in the latter part of the decade. It was a move that Red Wings senior vice president Jim Devellano resisted at the time and regretted later. [4]

Although a physical presence on the ice, McKay also contributed offensively, with double-digit goal totals and a positive plus/minus most seasons (including +30 in 1997–98, fourth in the NHL). He is perhaps best remembered among Devils fans for scoring the winning goal in Game 6 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers; the Devils won the game 4–2 and went on to win their first Stanley Cup by upsetting the heavily-favoured Detroit Red Wings in four games.

On October 28, 2000, in a regular season game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, McKay and teammate John Madden each scored four goals in a 9–0 win for the Devils. It was the first time since 1922 that two teammates each scored four goals. [5]

McKay was also a member of the Devils when they won the Stanley Cup in 2000 against the Dallas Stars in six games.

On March 19, 2002, McKay was traded (alongside Jason Arnott and a first-round pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft) to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Joe Nieuwendyk and Jamie Langenbrunner.

McKay retired after the 2002–03 season, finishing his career in his hometown as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

Crash line

For a period of time with the New Jersey Devils, McKay was a member of "The Crash Line" alongside Bobby Holík and Mike Peluso. [6] Head coach Jacques Lemaire created the line to counter the larger skilled players of the Eastern Conference at the time, including Eric Lindros, Cam Neely and Jaromír Jágr. [7] The average weight of the linemates was 215 pounds, and each skater played a physical and aggressive style of hockey. The trio were part of the Devils Stanley Cup championship in 1995. Following the departure of Peluso, Holík and McKay often remained on the same line, which sometimes included Sergei Brylin. [8]

Other

McKay is a graduate of Michigan Technological University (1984–1988).

McKay splits time between Houghton, Michigan and Marquette, Michigan. McKay and his wife, Katie have four children: Riley, Kaitlyn, Dawson and McKenna. [9]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1983–84Lac St-Louis LionsQMAAA381828466211610168
1984–85 Michigan Tech University WCHA 2545932—————
1985–86 Michigan Tech UniversityWCHA4012223446—————
1986–87 Michigan Tech UniversityWCHA395111646—————
1987–88 Michigan Tech UniversityWCHA4117244170—————
1987–88 Adirondack Red Wings AHL 100331260440
1988–89 Detroit Red Wings NHL 3000020002
1988–89 Adirondack Red WingsAHL5829346317014471160
1989–90 Detroit Red WingsNHL3336951—————
1989–90 Adirondack Red WingsAHL3616233999630335
1990–91 Detroit Red WingsNHL47178183501141
1991–92 New Jersey Devils NHL80171633246713410
1992–93 New Jersey DevilsNHL73111122206500016
1993–94 New Jersey DevilsNHL781215272442012324
1994–95 New Jersey DevilsNHL3357124419841211
1995–96 New Jersey DevilsNHL76111021145—————
1996–97 New Jersey DevilsNHL7791827109101120
1997–98 New Jersey DevilsNHL742424488660110
1998–99 New Jersey DevilsNHL7017203714373252
1999–2000 New Jersey DevilsNHL6716233980230669
2000–01 New Jersey DevilsNHL7723204350196398
2001–02 New Jersey DevilsNHL55671365—————
2001–02 Dallas Stars NHL141457—————
2002–03 Montreal Canadiens NHL756131972—————
NHL totals9321622013631731123202343123

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Yzerman</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1965)

Stephen Gregory Yzerman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player currently serving as executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, with whom he spent all 22 seasons of his NHL playing career. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he is a Detroit sports icon and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. After his retirement as a player, he served in the front office of the Red Wings, and then as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, while also being executive director for Team Canada in two Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Knuble</span> Canadian-American ice hockey player

Michael Rudolf Knuble is a Canadian-born American former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). During his 16 NHL seasons, he played for the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Rafalski</span> American ice hockey player (born 1973)

Brian Christopher Rafalski is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings, in the SM-liiga for HPK and HIFK, in the Elitserien for Brynäs IF, and in the ECHL for the Florida Everblades.

Vladimir Nikolaevich Konstantinov is a Russian-American former professional ice hockey player who played his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career, from 1991 to 1997 with the Detroit Red Wings. Previously, he had played for Soviet club CSKA Moscow. His career was ended in a limousine crash six days after the Red Wings' 1997 Stanley Cup victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Holík</span> Czech ice hockey player (born 1971)

Robert Holík is a Czech-American former professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Holík is the son of Jaroslav Holík, a Czechoslovak ice hockey world champion in 1972 and Czech national team head coach who led the under-20 team to world titles in 2000 and 2001. Holík is the current head coach of the Israel men's national ice hockey team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2000 ice hockey championship series

The 2000 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1999–2000 season, and the culmination of the 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils against the Western Conference champion and defending Stanley Cup champion Dallas Stars. The Devils were led by captain Scott Stevens, head coach Larry Robinson and goaltender Martin Brodeur. The Stars were led by captain Derian Hatcher, head coach Ken Hitchcock and goaltender Ed Belfour. The Devils defeated the Stars 4–2 in a six-game series to win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history. This was the first, and along with 2001 the only Finals where two relocated teams faced each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 1995 ice hockey championship series

The 1995 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1994–95 season, and the culmination of the 1995 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings. The Devils swept the series four games to none to win their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in their 21st season. They became the sixth team to earn a championship after joining the league in 1967 or later. This was the first of nine consecutive Finals to feature only American-based franchises. It was the Devils franchise's first appearance in the Finals, while Detroit returned to the Finals for the first time since 1966. It was the first of four consecutive sweeps in the finals. This is also the first time in both the NHL and NBA history where both finals involved the first-seeded team being swept.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 1997 ice hockey championship series

The 1997 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1996–97 season, and the culmination of the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers. Detroit was in the Finals for the second time in three years while the Flyers were making their first appearance since losing in 1987 to the Edmonton Oilers. Detroit won the series in four games to win the Stanley Cup for the eighth time in franchise history and the first time since 1955; Philadelphia had not won since 1975. Detroit was the last team to win the Cup without having home ice advantage in the Finals and with fewer than 100 points earned during the regular season until 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren McCarty</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1972)

Darren Douglas McCarty is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward, best known for his years playing with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). McCarty has been known for taking on the role of the Red Wings enforcer most of his career, a role in which he won the Stanley Cup four times in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008, the last of which after resurrecting his career in the Red Wings minor league system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Langenbrunner</span> American ice hockey player (born 1975)

Jamie Craig Langenbrunner is an American former professional ice hockey player. He is a member of the 1998–99 Dallas Stars and 2002–03 New Jersey Devils teams that won the Stanley Cup, and was the captain of the silver medal-winning United States national team in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grind Line</span>

The Grind Line refers to a former forward line for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings. Red Wings head coach Scotty Bowman modeled it after the Crash Line of the 1995 Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils.

Steve Duchesne is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League with several teams from 1986 until 2002. He was a three-time NHL All-Star and was a member of the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Peluso (ice hockey, born 1965)</span> American ice hockey player

Michael David Peluso, is an American former professional ice hockey player. Peluso was known primarily as an enforcer throughout his National Hockey League (NHL) career. Peluso played in the NHL from 1990 until 1998.

The Legion of Doom was a forward line for the Philadelphia Flyers who played together between 1995 and 1997 comprising centre Eric Lindros, left winger John LeClair and right winger Mikael Renberg. They were given this name not only for their offensive play, but also their ability to dominate games physically; each of the three were six foot two or taller and weighed over 230 pounds. The name was coined by journeyman Flyers centre Jim Montgomery and popularized by Flyers announcer Gene Hart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Miller</span> American ice hockey player (born 1984)

Drew Miller is an American former professional ice hockey winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2003 ice hockey championship series

The 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2002–03 season, and the culmination of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs. The second-seeded Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils defeated the seventh-seeded Western Conference champion Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games and were awarded the Stanley Cup for the third time in franchise history. It was New Jersey's first appearance since 2001 and third in four years. It was Anaheim's first-ever appearance. The Devils defeated the Mighty Ducks in seven games to win their third Stanley Cup in less than a decade. For the first time since 1965, all seven games were won by the home team. To date this is the last Stanley Cup Finals in which this happened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Stanley Cup playoffs</span>

The 1995 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League was played between May 6 and June 24, 1995. The 1994–95 NHL regular season was shortened to 48 games, and the playoffs pushed to a later date, due to a lockout. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup. In the Finals, the New Jersey Devils swept the favored Detroit Red Wings in four games to win their first championship.

The 2002–03 New Jersey Devils season was the 29th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 21st season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season. After claiming the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference titles, the Devils won their third Stanley Cup championship in a seven-game series against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

The 1994–95 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 28th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers made the playoffs for the first time since 1989, also winning their division for the first time since 1987, and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing in six games to the New Jersey Devils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997 Stanley Cup playoffs</span> National Hockey League playoffs

The 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL), began on April 16, 1997, following the completion of the 1996–97 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for conference quarter-finals, semi-finals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup.

References

  1. ↑ Randy "The Rocket" Mckay
  2. ↑ "Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search" . Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  3. ↑ "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Randy McKay". legendsofhockey.net. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  4. ↑ Fischler, S. (2002). Detroit Red Wings: Greatest Moments and Players. Sports Publishing, LLC. p. 227. ISBN   9781582612713 . Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  5. ↑ Yannis, Alex (29 October 2000). "HOCKEY - Madden and McKay Score 4 Goals Each - NEW YORK TIMES". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  6. ↑ Al Bello/Getty Images. "Crash Line (Devils) - Bobby Holik, Randy McKay, Mike Peluso - Hockey's All-time Classic Lines - Photos - SI.com". Archived from the original on 2009-01-25. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  7. ↑ "DEVILS' HOPE 'CRASH LINE' CAN GROUND FLYERS, LINDROS | Deseret News". deseretnews.com. 3 June 1995. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  8. ↑ Yannis, Alex (29 April 1999). "HOCKEY - The Devils' Crash Line Is Back in Business With a Bit of Help From Brylin - NYTimes.com". The New York Times . Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  9. ↑ "Volunteer Assistant Coach Randy McKay - MichiganTechHuskies.com - Michigan Tech University Athletics". Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.