Nick Fotiu

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Nick Fotiu
Born (1952-05-25) May 25, 1952 (age 72)
Staten Island, New York, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Forward
Shot Left
Played for New England Whalers
New York Rangers
Hartford Whalers
Calgary Flames
Philadelphia Flyers
Edmonton Oilers
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 19731990

Nicholas Evlampios Fotiu (born May 25, 1952) is an American former professional ice hockey forward. He played in the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League between 1974 and 1988.

Contents

Playing career

Fotiu's father was of Greek descent, while his mother was of Italian descent. [1] A left winger, Fotiu began his career in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the New England Whalers in the 1974–75 season. Two years later, he signed with his hometown New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), where his role as an enforcer endeared him to Ranger fans. He was loved for his fighting style, which he picked up as a golden-gloves boxer, and he was the first New York City-born Ranger. [2] Fotiu's popularity as a Ranger was enhanced by his willingness to throw pucks up into the Madison Square Garden "blue seats" after pre-game warmups, where previously he sat as a young fan. These seats were the least expensive and farthest seats from the action, far beyond where pucks would normally land during game play. Fotiu played with the Rangers until 1979, when he was claimed by the renamed Hartford Whalers in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft.

Fotiu's second tour with the Whalers ended when he was traded back to the Rangers during the middle of the 1980–81 NHL season, where he remained for five seasons. He was traded to the Calgary Flames in 1986 and helped them get to their first Stanley Cup finals appearance. Fotiu also played for the Philadelphia Flyers and briefly with the Edmonton Oilers before retiring from professional play in 1990.

Post-playing career

After retiring, Fotiu moved into coaching, and was most recently an assistant coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack. Fotiu runs a construction business and a charitable foundation, in addition to doing public relations for the Rangers.[ citation needed ]

Nick Fotiu has been inducted into the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame. He is the first native of New York City to play for the New York Rangers.

Legacy

In the 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats, the authors ranked Fotiu at No. 100 all-time of the 901 New York Rangers who had played during the team's first 82 seasons. [1]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1971–72New Hyde Park ArrowsNYJHL3261723135544814
1972–73New Hyde Park ArrowsNYJHL
1973–74 Cape Cod Cubs NAHL 7212243637113471180
1974–75 New England Whalers WHA 61224144420227
1974–75 Cape CoddersNAHL521313
1975–76 New England WhalersWHA49325941632557
1975–76 Cape CoddersNAHL621315
1976–77 New York Rangers NHL 704812174
1977–78 New York RangersNHL5927910530005
1977–78 New Haven Nighthawks AHL 51129
1978–79 New York RangersNHL7135819040006
1979–80 Hartford WhalersNHL741081810730006
1980–81 Hartford WhalersNHL4243779
1980–81New York RangersNHL2756119120004
1981–82 New York RangersNHL7081018151100226
1982–83 New York RangersNHL72813219050116
1983–84 New York RangersNHL407613115
1984–85 New York RangersNHL46471154
1985–86 New Haven NighthawksAHL942621
1985–86 Calgary Flames NHL9011211101134
1986–87 Calgary FlamesNHL42538145
1987–88 Philadelphia Flyers NHL2300040
1988–89 Edmonton Oilers NHL10000
1989–90 New Haven NighthawksAHL3103340
WHA totals1105492382052784
NHL totals646607713713623804467

References

  1. 1 2 Cohen, Russ; Halligan, John; Raider, Adam (2009). 100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters. John Wiley & Sons. p. 12. ISBN   978-0470736197 . Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  2. "Fotiu, Mullen honored at Golf Outing". NHL.com. September 11, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
Preceded by Head coaches of the Johnstown Chiefs
1995-1997
Succeeded by