John Tucker (ice hockey)

Last updated
John Tucker
Born (1964-09-29) September 29, 1964 (age 60)
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for Buffalo Sabres
Washington Capitals
New York Islanders
Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL draft 31st overall, 1983
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 19831996

John G. Tucker (born September 29, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League in the 1980s and 1990s, most notably with the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 177 goals and 259 assists in 656 career regular season games and a further 28 points in 31 play-off games. He played several more seasons in Italy and Japan as well.

Contents

Playing career

Tucker was drafted 31st overall by Buffalo in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft [1] having played junior for the Kitchener Rangers where he won the Memorial Cup in 1982. [2] He played for Buffalo from 1983 through 1989. He was acquired by the Washington Capitals on January 5, 1990. [3] Rejoining the Sabres the following season, following an off season trade from Washington, [3] he was again traded, this time to the New York Islanders. The following season, Tucker joined HC Asiago of the Italian League, scoring 88 points in 36 games and winning the Trofeo Gazzetino for MVP of the league . [1] Tucker returned to the NHL in 1992, when he joined expansion franchise Tampa Bay, [4] playing four seasons with the Lightning.

In 1996–97 season, Tucker returned to Italy, playing for HC Milano Saima.[ citation needed ] The following three seasons John played in Japan for Kokudo Keikaku. [5]

Coaching career

Since 2006, Tucker has served as an advisor and interim coach for his former Italian team H.C. Asiago. In 2010, Tucker was named head coach and led the team to two consecutive league championships and a Continental Cup final. Tucker recently completed his third season coaching H.C. Asiago.

On April 17, 2014, Tucker was named head coach of the Buffalo Junior Sabres Junior A team of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. [6]

Personal life

Tucker is the nephew of former Ottawa Rough Riders wide receiver Whit Tucker. [7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1981–82 Kitchener Rangers OHL 6716324832152352
1982–83 Kitchener RangersOHL7060801403311591410
1983–84 Kitchener RangersOHL39406010025121218308
1983–84 Buffalo Sabres NHL 2112416431010
1984–85 Buffalo SabresNHL642227492151560
1985–86 Buffalo SabresNHL7531346539
1986–87 Buffalo SabresNHL5417345121
1987–88 Buffalo SabresNHL45191938206731018
1988–89 Buffalo SabresNHL601331443130330
1989–90 Buffalo SabresNHL81232
1989–90 Washington Capitals NHL389192810121780
1990–91 Buffalo SabresNHL181344
1990–91 New York Islanders NHL203474
1991–92 Asiago HC Italy-A 181621376
1992–93 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL7817395669
1993–94 Tampa Bay LightningNHL6617234028
1994–95 Tampa Bay LightningNHL4612132514
1995–96 Tampa Bay LightningNHL6337101820002
1996–97 HC Milano Saima Italy-A3012294188
1997–98 Kokudo Keikaku JPN 3927477453
1998–99 Kokudo KeikakuJPN2321204130
1999–00 Kokudo KeikakuJPN241422360
NHL totals6561772594362853110182820

References

  1. 1 2 "John G. Tucker". Legends of Hockey.net. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  2. "Memorial Cup 1982". Kitchener Rangers.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  3. 1 2 "John Tucker: Right Wing - Notes". Capitals.com. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
  4. Lee, Steve (March 19, 2010). "Junior Lightning Is Runner-Up In Nike Bauer International Tournament". Center Ice Magazine.
  5. "John Tucker". Hockey Reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  6. "John Tucker named Head Coach of Jr. Sabres". National Hockey League - Buffalo Sabres. Archived from the original on June 16, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  7. Casey, Tom (May 2, 1984). "67's Creighton likes challenge of facing off against Tucker". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved September 12, 2025 via newspapers.com.