Dave Semenko

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Dave Semenko
Dave Semenko 2016.jpg
Semenko in 2016
Born(1957-07-12)July 12, 1957
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died June 29, 2017(2017-06-29) (aged 59)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for Edmonton Oilers
Hartford Whalers
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL draft 25th overall, 1977
Minnesota North Stars
WHA draft 21st overall, 1977
Houston Aeros
Playing career 1977–1988

David John Semenko (July 12, 1957 – June 29, 2017) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player, coach, scout, and colour commentator. During his National Hockey League (NHL) career, Semenko played for the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers and Toronto Maple Leafs as an enforcer. During his tenure with Edmonton, he notably protected Wayne Gretzky as an "on-ice bodyguard" during Gretzky's early career. Semenko won two Stanley Cups with the Oilers in 1984 and 1985. He was also the last player to score a goal in the World Hockey Association (WHA) before it folded and merged with the NHL.

Contents

Following his retirement as a player, he became a radio commentator of Oilers' games. Semenko died on June 29, 2017, from liver and pancreatic cancer.

Career

Semenko played junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings. [1] He was originally selected 25th overall in 1977 by the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL and the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association (WHA). [2]

The Aeros traded Semenko to the Oilers just before their 1977–78 season. [2] He spent his first two professional years as a member of the Oilers in the WHA before the NHL–WHA merger. [3] He scored the final goal in WHA history in Game 6 of the 1979 Avco Cup finals, which the Oilers lost to the Winnipeg Jets. [4] [2]

When the Oilers joined the NHL, Semenko's rights were retained by the North Stars. The Oilers traded their second- and third-round draft picks in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft to acquire his rights from the North Stars, who then drafted future United States Hockey Hall of Famer Neal Broten. The trade also gave the Oilers a third-round pick, which was used to select future Oilers superstar and Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier. [2]

An acknowledged enforcer, Semenko was Wayne Gretzky's "on-ice bodyguard" early in Gretzky's career in Edmonton, beginning in the WHA in 1978 and ending when Semenko was traded to the Hartford Whalers in 1986. [2] Semenko is considered one of the toughest players ever in the NHL. [5] [6] [7] [8] After Gretzky won a car for being chosen as the MVP of the 1983 NHL All-Star game, he gifted the car to Semenko to show his appreciation for his on-ice work. [2]

Semenko fought boxing legend Muhammad Ali in an exhibition on June 12, 1983. [9] The match was officially a draw after going three rounds, but the Associated Press reported Ali was not seriously trying and was just toying with Semenko. [2]

After brief stops with the Hartford Whalers and Toronto Maple Leafs, Semenko retired following the 1987–88 season. He finished his 575-game NHL career with 65 goals, 153 points, and 1,175 penalty minutes. [10] Semenko also recorded 70 fights over his career. [2]

Retirement and death

After retiring, Semenko became a colour commentator on Oilers radio broadcasts and was an assistant coach with the Oilers during the 1996–97 season. [11] He also served as a professional scout for the team from 1997 until 2015. [3]

Semenko died on June 29, 2017, at the age of 59, shortly after being diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer. [12] [2] His funeral was held at Rogers Place in Edmonton, which was open for the public to attend.

Career statistics

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1974–75 Brandon Travellers MJHL 4211172855—————
1974–75 Brandon Wheat Kings WCHL 122131240000
1975–76 Brandon Wheat KingsWCHL72851319450000
1976–77 Brandon Wheat KingsWCHL612733602651634761
1977–78 Brandon Wheat KingsWCHL71051540—————
1977–78 Edmonton Oilers WHA 65661214050008
1978–79 Edmonton OilersWHA771014241581142629
1979–80 Edmonton Oilers NHL 67671313530002
1980–81 Edmonton OilersNHL58118198080005
1980–81 Wichita Wind CHL 1412340—————
1981–82 Edmonton OilersNHL5912122419440002
1982–83 Edmonton OilersNHL751215271411511269
1983–84 Edmonton OilersNHL526111711816551044
1984–85 Edmonton OilersNHL69612181721400039
1985–86 Edmonton OilersNHL6961218141600032
1986–87 Edmonton OilersNHL50000—————
1986–87 Hartford Whalers NHL51481287400015
1987–88 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL70235107—————
WHA totals1421620362981642637
NHL totals57565881531175736612208

Awards and achievements

Exhibition boxing record

1 fight0 wins0 losses
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
1Draw0–0–1 Flag of the United States.svg Muhammad Ali PTS3Jun 12, 1983 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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References

  1. ↑ "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Players By Team -- Brandon Wheat Kings". legendsofhockey.net. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Harrison, Doug (June 29, 2017). "Ex-Oilers tough guy Dave Semenko dies of cancer at 59". CBC Sports. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Dillman, Lisa (June 29, 2017). "Dave Semenko, two-time Stanley Cup winner, dies at 59". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  4. ↑ The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association, p.241, McLelland and Stewart, Toronto, ON, ISBN   0-7710-8947-3
  5. ↑ "Toughest fighters". The Hockey News. July 7, 2010. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  6. ↑ Goss, Nicholas (January 24, 2014). "Wayne Gretzky Knew To Retire When Opponents Warned Him Before A Hit | NHL". NESN.com. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Edmonton Oilers Legends: Dave Semenko". Oilerslegends.blogspot.com. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  8. ↑ Schlenker, Phil (February 2009). Let's Talk Hockey: 50 Wonderful Debates – Phil Schlenker – Google Books. iUniverse. ISBN   978-1-4401-2703-8 . Retrieved July 6, 2016– via Google Books.
  9. ↑ "When Muhammad Ali fought hockey's heavyweight champ, Dave Semenko".
  10. ↑ "Former Oilers tough guy Dave Semenko passes away from cancer". June 29, 2017.
  11. ↑ "'A worthy champion': Dave Semenko, the Edmonton Oilers enforcer who served as Wayne Gretzky's bodyguard, dies at 59". National Post. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Oilers Entertainment Group -- Statement on the passing of Dave Semenko". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  13. ↑ Cherry, Don (April 3, 2009). Don Cherry's Hockey Stories and Stuff. Doubleday Canada. ISBN   978-0-307-37182-9 . Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  14. ↑ Russell, Kent (February 9, 2016). I Am Sorry to Think I Have Raised a Timid Son. Vintage. ISBN   978-0-8041-7044-4 . Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  15. ↑ The Great One: The Complete Wayne Gretzky Collection. FENN-M&S. November 6, 2012. ISBN   978-0-7710-8362-4 . Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  16. ↑ Staples, David (September 16, 1989). "Grace eludes cement pen". Books. Edmonton Journal . Edmonton. p. B10. Retrieved July 30, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
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