Jari Kurri

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


played_for = NHL
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
New York Rangers
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Colorado Avalanche
SM-liiga
Jokerit
Serie A
HC Milano Devils
position = Right Wing
shoots = Right
height_ft = 6
height_in = 0
weight_lb = 198
nationality = FIN
birth_date = birth date and age|mf=yes|1960|05|18
birth_place = Helsinki, FIN
draft = 69^th overall
draft_year = 1980
draft_team = Edmonton Oilers
career_start = 1977
career_end = 1998
halloffame = 2001

Jari Pekka Kurri (born May 18, 1960, in Helsinki, Finland) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He is currently the General Manager of Team Finland.

Playing career

Jokerit (1977-1980)

He began his pro career with Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga. After his eleven point Rookie Season for Jokerit in 1977-78, Kurri had two good seasons scoring 30 and 39 points as he played full 33 games on both seasons. Kurri played a total of three seasons for Jokerit. After his third season, Kurri was contracted to the Edmonton Oilers by then General Manager and Head Coach Glen Sather.

Edmonton Oilers (1980–1990)

When Kurri arrived to the Oilers he was soon paired with Wayne Gretzky, a phenomenal Canadian centre. The duo of Kurri and Gretzky started to be effective after Esa Tikkanen was added to the first line in 1986. The trio would be known as "The Finnish Sandwich" as its wingers, Kurri and Tikkanen, were Finnish.

During his tenure in Edmonton, he was nicknamed the "Finnish Flash" (a title since usurped by Teemu Selänne). Kurri was "by far our most complete player," according to Oilers' director of personnel Barry Fraser. Although Kurri never won the Selke Trophy, he was regarded as one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL. Alongside with Kurri, Tikkanen and Gretzky, Edmonton had future hall-of-famers Paul Coffey, Grant Fuhr and Mark Messier. The team won four Stanley Cups during Gretzky's tenure. In 1988, however, the team would be dismantled when Gretzky was infamously traded, along with team enforcer Marty McSorley, to the Los Angeles Kings. Following Gretzky's trade to Los Angeles in 1988, Kurri recorded 195 points in 154 games, leading the Oilers to their fifth and, to date, final Stanley Cup in 1990.

Kurri won five Stanley Cups, all with Edmonton (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990). In 1984–85 he had 135 points and scored 50 goals in his first 50 games, however his 50th game was the Oilers' 53rd game so it does not count as an official 50 goals in 50 games. A year later, he led the league in goals with 68. In 1984–85 Kurri set a record for goals by a right winger when he scored 71. The record lasted for five years until broken by Brett Hull when he scored 72 goals in 1989–90 (Hull's 86 goals in 1990–91 is the current record).

Kurri's 19 goals in the 1985 post-season (18 games played) tied an NHL record set by the Philadelphia Flyers' Reggie Leach in the 1976 playoffs (16 games played). He also had four hat tricks in the conference finals, another feat that no player has ever equaled.

HC Milano Devils (1990-1991)

Kurri's contract with the Oilers expired in 1990 but his NHL rights were still owned by Oilers. Instead of accepting a new contract from the Oilers, Jari Kurri opted for a season in Italy and played for HC Milano Devils of the Italian Serie A. Kurri had 27 goals and 48 assists in 30 games while he played in the less competetive Italian league when compared to NHL.

Los Angeles Kings (1991–1994)

After a season in Italy, Kurri's rights were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers and then to the Los Angeles Kings on the same day. For the first time since the 1988 trade, Kurri was reunited with Wayne Gretzky. The pair had a fairly successful campaign in 1993 leading the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals where they faced off against the Montreal Canadiens. Kurri managed to put together 17 points in 24 games during the run, in which the Kings ultimately fell short and lost the series in 5 games. Jari followed the run up with a few more solid seasons as a Los Angeles King, scoring 146 points in 176 games, his decline in scoring was primarily due to his reduced role, and transition into a more defensive minded forward.

Kurri's best season for the Kings was during the successful 1992–93 NHL season when Kurri posted 27 goals and 60 assists in 82 games.

Jokerit (1994-1995)

During the 1994–95 NHL lockout Jari Kurri represented Jokerit, the team which he played for before his NHL career. Kurri played alongside with Teemu Selänne, the 1992 winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy who had established himself as one of the top stars in Finland during early success in NHL. Kurri had one memorable moment during his visit to SM-liiga when Jokerit faced their local rivals HIFK. Kurri played against his former Oilers-linemate Esa Tikkanen and another Finnish player NHL-player, Christian Ruuttu. Kurri, Selänne and Jokerit captain Waltteri Immonen led Jokerit to 4-2 victory over Russian HC Lada Togliatti in 1995 European Cup Finals

Los Angeles Kings (1995-1996)

After the lockout Kurri returned to Los Angeles but was traded to New York Rangers in 1996 for their playoff run.

New York Rangers (1996)

Jari Kurri's visit to New York was a short one. Kurri played the remainder of the 1995–96 NHL season with the Rangers and posted one goal and four assists in 14 games. While he may not have put up the points the Rangers expected him to at the end of the regular season, Kurri proved some of his value by notching 8 points in 11 playoff games with the Rangers.

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–1997)

After his short period in NY Rangers, Kurri signed with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Kurri intended to play alongside Teemu Selänne and Paul Kariya, but was ultimately reduced to a smaller role on the second and third lines, despite a newfound confidence from rigorous summer training. The Mighty Ducks made it to the playoffs and defeated the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round but were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round.

Colorado Avalanche (1997–1998)

After his single season with the Mighty Ducks, Kurri was signed by the Colorado Avalanche, the 1996 Stanley Cup Champions. Kurri had a more defensive role with the Avalanche. Kurri's highlight of the season was his 600th NHL career goal, which he scored during a regular season game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings. Despite having a strong team with players like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Patrick Roy, the Avalanche were eliminated quickly in the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers. Kurri played his final NHL game (Game 6) in Edmonton, before the Avalanche were finally defeated in the 7th game.

Conclusion

Jari Kurri finished his career as the highest scoring European-born player in NHL history with totals of 601 goals, 797 assists, and 1,398 points. He also finished with 106 career playoff goals and 233 playoff points, third all-time behind only Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. He is the first Finn to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His 1398 points are 18th all-time, and the second highest among Europeans behind Jaromir Jagr. He is 14th in all-time goals with 601. He is the second leading scorer in Oiler history, with 1,043 points in 754 games, behind only Gretzky. His #17 has been retired by both the Oilers and the Finnish national men's ice hockey team.

On October 27 Jari Kurri's jersey number 17 was retired by his former team Jokerit during the club's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Kurri already has his national team jersey number retired on the ceiling of Hartwall Areena, the home ice of Finnish national men's ice hockey team and SM-liiga team Jokerit

He has a trophy named after him in the SM-liiga, the Jari Kurri trophy, which is given to the most important player in SM-liiga Playoffs.

International Play

Jari Kurri also had a lenghty International Career for the Finnish National team. Kurri debuted during 1980 Winter Olympics when Finland played in the Olympic Ice Hockey tournament, Kurri had two goals and an assist in his international debut tournament.

Since NHL-players were unable to participate in Winter Olympics and World Championships, Kurri's National team appearances were limited after he started his NHL-career. Kurri was part of Finnish national team during 1981 Canada Cup. Finland lost 4 games and had a 4-4 tie with USA. Kurri had a bit dissapointing performance as he had "only" a one assist in five games he played.

After Oilers were eliminated in 1982 NHL Playoffs, Kurri was able to join the Finnish national team in 1982 World Championships. The tournament was held in Finland. Kurri formed Finland's top line along with SM-liiga players Reijo Leppänen of TPS and Kari Jalonen of Kärpät. The lineup led the Finnish team in points and played well during the tournament but Finland was not able to advance to medal round.

Kurri was part of the Finnish National team in 1987 Canada Cup and 1989 Ice Hockey World Championships but Finland was unable to gain success on those tournaments.

In 1991, Kurri represented Finland in 1991 Canada Cup, where Finland lost 3-7 to USA in quarter finals and in the 1991 World Championships which were held again in Finland.

In 1994 Kurri managed to get his first International Medal when Finland got silver after they lost 1 to 2 after a thrilling shootout defeat against Canada.

In 1998 Jari Kurri faced Gretzky on ice for the last time, when Finland and Canada played for the Olympic Bronze medal in Nagano. Finland was the underdog against the All-star team of Canada, but eventually Finland won the game 3–2. Kurri scored the first goal of the game, which turned out to be the last goal of his professional career. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/events/1998/nagano/scoreboards/1998/02/21/recap.canada.finland.html CNN/SI - Nagano Olympics - Olympic Men's Hockey Recap (Canada-Finland) - February 21, 1998 ] ]

After Retirement

Kurri is currently the General Manager of the Finnish national men's ice hockey team, scouting players and assisting the head coach.

Personal life

Kurri married former Miss Finland, Vanessa Kurri, née Forsman, in 2004; they have two daughters, Odessa (b. 2002) and Alissa (b. 2005), and one son, Paulus (b. 2007). Kurri also has twin boys (Joonas and Ville) from his first marriage to Tiina Kurri. Gretzky is the godfather to Kurri's children — not surprising, as during their prime in Edmonton, Kurri was always closest to Gretzky, who himself has always been the first to acknowledge his teammates for their success, and frequently fed Kurri goal opportunities. Coming from "The Great One", the compliment "Jari and I see the game the same way"Fact|date=February 2007 is very generous.

Transactions

*May 30, 1991- Traded by the Edmonton Oilers, along with Dave Brown and Corey Foster, to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Craig Fisher, Scott Mellanby and Craig Berube.

*May 30, 1991- Traded by the Philadelphia Flyers, along with Jeff Chychrun to Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Steve Duchesne, Steve Kasper and Los Angeles' 1991 4th round draft choice.

*March 14, 1996- Traded by the Los Angeles Kings, along with Shane Churla and Marty McSorley, to the New York Rangers in exchange for Ray Ferraro, Ian Laperriere, Nathan LaFayette, Mattias Norström and New York's 1997 4th round draft choice.

*September 10, 1996- Signed as a free agent with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

*September 15, 1997- Signed as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche.

Achievements

*1978- European Junior Hockey Championship All-Star Team
*1978- Named best forward at the European Junior Hockey Championship
*1983- Played in NHL All-Star Game
*1984- NHL Second All-Star Team
*1985- Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
*1985- NHL First All-Star Team
*1985- Played in NHL All-Star Game
*1986- NHL Second All-Star Team
*1986- Played in NHL All-Star Game
*1987- NHL First All-Star Team
*1988- Played in NHL All-Star Game
*1989- NHL Second All-Star Team
*1989- Played in NHL All-Star Game
*1990- Played in NHL All-Star Game
*1991- World Hockey Championship All-Star Team
*1993- Played in NHL All-Star Game
*1994- World Hockey Championship All-Star Team
*1998- Played in NHL All-Star Game: World Team (players born outside North America)
*1998 - Ranked number 50 on "The Hockey News"' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players, the highest-ranking Northern European player.
*2001- First Finn inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame

Career statistics

ee also

* List of NHL players
* 50 goals in 50 games
* List of members of the Hockey Hall of Fame
* Hockey Hall of Fame
* List of NHL statistical leaders
* List of NHL seasons
* List of NHL players with 1000 points
* List of NHL players with 500 goals

References

External links

*
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3As76soBnAs Video: Jari Kurri's 600th NHL Goal]
* [http://www.oilersheritage.com/memories/videos_kurri_7_goals.html Video: Gretzky to Kurri]
* [http://www.oilersheritage.com/memories/videos_kurri_ot_goal_2.html Gretzky to Coffey to Kurri]
* [http://www.nhlfinns.com/players.aspx?pid=42 Jari Kurri] at nhlfinns.com