Welcome to Volume 10 of Time Travels of the Orange and Blue. This week we delve into the career of Dave Semenko, neutral site games,
December 12th, 1986
He was one of the first bodyguards at the pro level for Wayne Gretzky and to this day he could probably still take down anyone who looked at #99 the wrong way. On this day, however, Dave Semenko’s time as a member of the Oilers came to an end when he was dealt to the Hartford Whalers. Semenko was sent to the New England area in exchange for a third round draft pick that the Oilers would use to draft Trevor Sim (Sim would spend half a cup of coffee with the Oilers in 1989-90, playing in three games).
Semenko was one of the Boys on the Bus and during his time with the Oilers, would win two Stanley Cups and have incredible fights with the likes of Tim Hunter, Chris Nilan and Tiger Williams. Not many other men in NHL history were tougher. In 1983 he’d become the last man to face Muhammad Ali in any boxing capacity in a 3 round exhibition match in Edmonton.
To say that he’ll forever have a few things that he can brag about around the City of Champions is a massive understatement.
December 13th, 1992
The 1990s were a wild time for NHL expansion and relocation as teams like the Minnesota North Stars, Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques found new homes while we said hello to the new Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
In the middle of what would be a dramatic reshaping of the NHL map, the league decided in both 1992-93 and 1993-94 to test out potential markets by having neutral site regular season games. Cities such as Atlanta and Dallas would eventually get clubs, but others like Milwaukee, Hamilton and Cincinnati, well, they’re still waiting to enter the highest hockey league in the world.
The Oilers first neutral site game of the season would see them lose 4-1……in Oklahoma City. Rumour has it that in the shadows, the ghost of Oilers future whispered in the wind “we’ll be back” when the final buzzer in OKC sounded. The Oil’s other neutral site game would also be a loss, as they’d fall later in the season 6-4 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Cleveland while playing as the home team!
The 1990s, what a weird time.
December 16th, 1981
In terms of numbers, the 1981-82 Edmonton Oilers squad may have been one of the silliest of all time. Gretzky’s 92 goal, 212 season, Five players with over 80 points one of them being D man Paul Coffey who’d record four more as an Oiler, and Dave Lumley scoring in 12 games in a row.
The right winger would set a team record against the Colorado Rockies for most consecutive games in a row with a goal. He sits just one shy of tying the all-time record of 13 games in a row with a goal, set by Charlie Simmer of the LA Kings. In terms of records this is one that really should get some more love even if it was set in the era of goalies wearing phone books for pads.
Alas, Lumley would fall short of the mark as he’d be held off the score sheet in the Oilers next game against the Flames but it’s a record in franchise history that has stood the test of time.
December 19th, 1984
As someone who’s currently 23 I would have loved to have had one NHL point on my life resume if I was good enough to have entered the NHL as a teenager. 23 year old Wayne Gretzky on the other hand? He had 1000. In how many games? 424. 32 years ago in a 7-3 win over the Kings, the future icon of the sport would have a six point night (two goals and four assists) to become the fastest player to that milestone.
To put that mark into perspective in just how crazy it was, it took Guy Lafleur 10 seasons to reach that mark while it took Gretzky six and point #1000 came less than five minutes into the game as he’d assist on a Mike Krushelnyski goal.
The NHL was Wayne’s planet and he just allowed everyone else to live on it.
We are auctioning off a Hatchimal just in time for Christmas. All proceeds go to the MS Society of Alberta/Northwest Territories.
The current high bid is $250. You can place your bid by filling out the form below.
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