Randy Gregg (ice hockey)

Last updated
Randy Gregg
Born (1956-02-19) February 19, 1956 (age 68)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Edmonton Oilers
Vancouver Canucks
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 19811992

Randall John Gregg (born February 19, 1956) is a Canadian physician and former professional ice hockey defenceman who spent 10 seasons in the National Hockey League. He is best known for his time with the Edmonton Oilers, where he spent most of his career and won five Stanley Cups, in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990.

Contents

Early life

Gregg was born in Edmonton. He attended the University of Alberta to work toward a medical degree, and playing hockey was a secondary priority. However, he became one of the top players in Canadian university hockey, leading the Golden Bears to two Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union (CIAU) championships, and was CIAU Player of the Year in 1979.

Career

Gregg received a contract offer from the New York Rangers but rejected it to spend the year with David Bauer and the Canadian national team, [1] and captained Canada's entry at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. [2]

Following the 1980 Olympics, Gregg signed in Japan as a player-coach and spent two full seasons playing there. He was at last convinced to accept an NHL offer by his hometown Edmonton Oilers, and joined the team for the 1982 playoffs, appearing in four games.

In 1982–83, Gregg emerged as a regular on the Oilers' blueline, appearing in all 80 games and registering 6 goals and 28 points. Receiving as much notoriety from the fact that he had a medical degree as he did for his solid play on the blueline, he helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup finals in 1983. In 1983–84, he would have his finest NHL season, as he recorded career highs of 12 goals and 40 points, and then contributed 10 points in 19 playoff games to help Edmonton win their first Stanley Cup. Following the season, he was selected to represent Canada at the 1984 Canada Cup tournament. [3]

Gregg retired after the Oilers' disappointing loss in the 1986 playoffs but returned to the team six weeks into the season and helped Edmonton win their third championship in 1986–87. [4] He retired from professional hockey again after the 1987–88 campaign to enter a residency program in orthopedic surgery and Canada at the 1988 Winter Olympics, but re-joined Edmonton for the playoffs to win another Stanley Cup.

Gregg spent two more years with the Oilers as a depth defender, helping the team win their fifth Stanley Cup in seven years in 1990. He was one of seven players to play for all five championship teams. Exposed in the 1990 NHL Waiver Draft, he was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks but decided again to retire. However, after a year away from the sport, he signed with the Canucks for the 1991–92 campaign, appearing in 21 games, before retiring for good following the season. [5]

Gregg appeared in 474 NHL games, recording 41 goals and 152 assists for 193 points along with 333 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 137 playoff games, totaling 13 goals and 40 assists for 53 points.

Following his retirement, Gregg completed his residency training program at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. He is a family physician, operating a successful sports medicine practice in Edmonton. [6] He briefly worked at TSN as the third string color commentator for NHL games in 1994–95.

Personal life

Gregg married American-born Canadian Olympic speed-skater Kathy Vogt [7] on June 9, 1984, in Edmonton. [8] They have four children, including speed-skaters Jessica Gregg and Jamie Gregg. Gregg and his family reside in Edmonton, Alberta. [9] His brother, Gary, is a former member of the Edmonton Investors Group (EIG), the limited partnership that owned the Edmonton Oilers.

Legacy

The Dr. Randy Gregg Award is presented annually by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) to reward excellence in the student-athlete. The Canadian University ice hockey player who receives this award has exhibited outstanding achievement in ice hockey, academics, and community involvement. [10]

Awards and achievements

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1975–76 University of Alberta CWUAA 313202349
1976–77University of AlbertaCWUAA3410233345
1977–78University of AlbertaCWUAA308263443
1978–79University of AlbertaCWUAA4111263767
1979–80 Canada Intl567172436
1980–81 Kokudo Keikaku JPN 3512183030
1981–82 Kokudo KeikakuJPN3612203225
1981–82 Edmonton Oilers NHL 40000
1982–83 Edmonton OilersNHL8062228541624613
1983–84 Edmonton OilersNHL801327405619371021
1984–85 Edmonton OilersNHL5732023321706612
1985–86 Edmonton OilersNHL6422628471010112
1986–87 Edmonton OilersNHL5281624421836917
1987–88CanadaIntl3726837
1987–88 Edmonton OilersNHL1512381918924
1988–89 Edmonton OilersNHL57315182871014
1989–90 Edmonton OilersNHL4842024422026816
1991–92 Vancouver Canucks NHL211452470118
NHL totals47441152193333137133851127

International

YearTeamEvent GPGAPtsPIM
1980 Canada OLY 61122
1984 Canada CC 30114
1988 CanadaOLY81238
Senior totals1724614

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edmonton Oilers</span> National Hockey League team in Alberta, Canada

The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which opened in 2016. Kris Knoblauch is the head coach as of November 12, 2023, and Ken Holland was named general manager on May 7, 2019. The Oilers are one of two NHL franchises based in Alberta, the other being the Calgary Flames. Their close proximity has led to a fierce rivalry known as the "Battle of Alberta".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conn Smythe Trophy</span> Ice hockey award

The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player (MVP) of his team during the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 54 times to 47 players since the 1964–65 NHL season. Each year, at the conclusion of the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals, members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote to elect the player deserving of the trophy. The trophy is handed out by the NHL Commissioner before the presentation of the Stanley Cup and only the winner is announced, in contrast to most of the other NHL awards which name three finalists and are presented at a ceremony. Vote tallies for the Conn Smythe Trophy were released starting in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Messier</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1961)

Mark John Douglas Messier is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. His playing career in the National Hockey League (NHL) lasted 25 years (1979–2004) with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks. He also played professionally with the World Hockey Association (WHA)'s Indianapolis Racers and Cincinnati Stingers. He also played a short four-game stint in the original Central Hockey League (CHL) with the Houston Apollos in 1979. He was the last WHA player to be active in professional ice hockey, and the last active player in any of the major North American professional sports leagues to have played in the 1970s. After his playing career, he served as special assistant to the president and general manager of the Rangers.

James Stephen Smith is a Scottish-born Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and former assistant coach of the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1984–85 to 2000–01 and coached from 2010-11 to 2020-21. Currently Smith is the interim head coach with the Hartford Wolfpack of the American Hockey League (AHL). Smith played in the 1991 All-Star game in Chicago and was part of the 1991 Canadian Team that won the Canada Cup in Toronto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Smyth</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1976)

Ryan Alexander Borden Smyth is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played most of his career for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was especially known for playing in the style of a power forward. He has been one of the owners of the BCHL Spruce Grove Saints since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen Sather</span> Canadian ice hockey player, coach and executive

Glen Cameron “Slats” Sather is a Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and executive. He is the current senior advisor and alternate governor of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the Rangers' general manager until stepping down on July 1, 2015, and then served as their president until April 4, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 1990 ice hockey championship series

The 1990 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1989–90 season, and the culmination of the 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Edmonton Oilers and the Boston Bruins; the Oilers won, four games to one. The series was a rematch of the 1988 Finals, albeit with the notable absence of Wayne Gretzky who was traded from Edmonton to the Los Angeles Kings during the 1988 off-season. For the Oilers, it was their fifth Cup win in seven years, and the team's only championship after trading Gretzky. This was the last of eight consecutive Finals contested by a team from Alberta and nine by a team from Western Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn Anderson</span> Canadian ice hockey player (b. 1960)

Glenn Chris "Andy" Anderson is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. Anderson was known for performing especially well in important games, which garnered him the reputation of a "money" player. His five playoff overtime goals rank third in NHL history, while his 17 playoff game-winning goals put him fifth all-time. During the playoffs, Anderson accumulated 93 goals, 121 assists and 214 points, the fourth, ninth and fourth most in NHL history. Anderson is also first all-time in regular season game winning goals in Oilers history with 72.

Donald Andrew Moog is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Moog played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens, and also for the Canadian national team. Moog is a three-time Stanley Cup champion: 1984, 1985 and 1987. He earned the William M. Jennings Trophy in the 1989–90 NHL season for fewest total goals against the team during the regular season, sharing the trophy with his goaltending partner, Reggie Lemelin.

James Duncan Wiemer is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1983 and 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Linseman</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1958)

Kenneth S. "The Rat" Linseman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played one season in the World Hockey Association for the Birmingham Bulls. He featured in four Stanley Cup Finals, notably winning the 1984 Stanley Cup with the Oilers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 1991 ice hockey championship series

The 1991 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1990–91 season, and the culmination of the 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Minnesota North Stars. It was the Penguins' first Final series appearance and their first Stanley Cup victory. This is the first and only Stanley Cup Finals to feature two teams from the expansion group of 1967. It was Minnesota's second Final series appearance, and their last before the franchise's relocation to Dallas two years later. It was also the first time since 1983 that an American franchise would win the Stanley Cup. This was the first all-American finals since 1981, which also featured the North Stars in their first appearance.

The 1988 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1987–88 season, and the culmination of the 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins. The Oilers would win the series in a four game sweep to win their fourth championship. This was the seventh of nine consecutive Finals contested by a team from Western Canada, sixth of eight by a team from Alberta, and the last of five consecutive Finals to end with the Cup presentation on Alberta ice. The series is remembered for the power failure that occurred during game four at Boston Garden, which caused that game to be suspended. The league decided to replay game four at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, at the site, date and time that was originally scheduled for game five. Game 5 is also the final time that Wayne Gretzky appeared in an Edmonton Oilers uniform as he was traded to Los Angeles just prior to the next season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1987 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 1987 ice hockey championship series

The 1987 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1986–87 season, and the culmination of the 1987 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Edmonton Oilers and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Oilers won the series 4–3, for their third Stanley Cup victory. This was the sixth of nine consecutive Finals contested by a team from Western Canada, the fifth of eight consecutive Finals contested by a team from Alberta, and the fourth of five consecutive Finals to end with the Cup presentation on Alberta ice. Game 7 of this series was played on May 31, which at the time was the latest finishing date for an NHL season. The record would be broken five years later when that series ended on June 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 1985 ice hockey championship series

The 1985 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1984–85 season, and the culmination of the 1985 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the defending champion Edmonton Oilers and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Oilers won the best-of-seven series, four games to one, to win their second Stanley Cup. It was also the sixth straight Finals contested between teams that joined the NHL in 1967 or later. Until 2022, this was also the last time that a team, defending champion, or runner-up appeared in the Finals for the third straight season. This was the fourth of nine consecutive Finales contested by a team from Western Canada, third of eight contested by a team from Alberta, and the second of five consecutive Finals to end with the Cup presentation on Alberta ice. Game five of this series was played on May 30, which at the time was the latest finishing date for an NHL season. The record was broken two years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 1984 ice hockey championship series

The 1984 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1983–84 season, and the culmination of the 1984 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the defending Campbell Conference champion Edmonton Oilers and the defending Wales Conference and Cup champion New York Islanders. The upstart Oilers won the best-of-seven series, four games to one, to win their first Stanley Cup, becoming the third post-1967 expansion team and first former World Hockey Association team to win the Cup, and also the first team based west of Chicago to win the Cup since the WCHL's Victoria Cougars became the last non-NHL team to win it in 1925.

The history of the Edmonton Oilers dates back to 1972, when the team was established as a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The team originally played in the World Hockey Association (WHA), before joining the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1979. The team played its first season in 1972–73 as one of 12 founding franchises of the major professional World Hockey Association (WHA). They were originally supposed to be one of two WHA teams in Alberta. However, when the Broncos folded before the WHA's first season began, the Edmonton Oilers were renamed the Alberta Oilers. They returned to using the Edmonton Oilers name for the 1973–74 season, and have been called that ever since. The Oilers subsequently joined the NHL in 1979; one of four franchises introduced through the NHL merger with the WHA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leon Draisaitl</span> German ice hockey player (born 1995)

Leon Tim Draisaitl is a German professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Draisaitl grew up playing hockey in Germany until he was selected second overall in the 2012 CHL Import Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders. After two seasons with the Raiders, he was drafted third overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In 2020, Draisaitl became the first German player to win the Art Ross Trophy as the leading point scorer in the NHL, the Hart Memorial Trophy as regular season MVP, and the Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Alberta (NHL)</span> National Hockey League Western Divisional Rivalry

The Battle of Alberta refers to the rivalry between the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. The rivalry has become one of the fiercest regional rivalries in league history. Geography plays a heavy role in the rivalry as both teams are located in opposite sides of the Canadian province of Alberta as two teams are based in the cities of Edmonton, the provincial capital of Alberta, and Calgary, the province's most populous city. Both teams have met in the postseason 6 times and have combined for 6 Stanley Cup titles. The Flames currently lead the regular season record 142–131, while the Oilers lead the postseason matchups 23–12.

References

  1. "Randy John Gregg". hhof.com. Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  2. Ogle, Andy (May 1, 1987). "Dr. Randy Gregg: operating with finesse, but in a different theatre". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 136 (9): 974–976. PMC   1491972 . PMID   3552177.
  3. "Edmonton Oilers history: Randy Gregg scores overtime winner to complete comeback in Game 2 win over Winnipeg Jets, April 5, 1984". Edmonton Journal. April 5, 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  4. "Randy John Gregg". hhof.com. Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  5. Brownlee, Robin (July 7, 2017). "Top 100 Oilers: Randy Gregg". oilersnation.com. Oilers Nation. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  6. "Dr. Randy Gregg – Primary Care Physician". edmontonsportinstitute.com. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  7. "Kathy Vogt" Sports Reference accessed August 5, 2015
  8. "Tieing the Knot" Edmonton Journal June 11, 1984, p. D5 accessed August 5, 2015 note: source mis-identifies Ms. Vogt as a figure skater
  9. Starkman, Randy (October 21, 2009). "Entire Gregg clan has been built for speed". The Toronto Star . Toronto Star. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  10. "Stingers captain earns national recognition - Concordia University". www.concordia.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-19.