Hard_Rom
Northumbrian Skald
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2014
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An acknowledged enforcer, he was Wayne Gretzky's on-ice bodyguard early in Gretzky's career in Edmonton, beginning in the WHA in 1978, and ending when Semenko was traded to Hartford in 1986. Semenko is considered one of the toughest players ever in the NHL. The protection offered by Semenko allowed Edmonton's stars -- Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey -- more freedom on the ice, contributing to the Oilers' Stanley Cup triumphs in 1984 and 1985. After Gretzky won a car for being chosen as the MVP of the 1983 NHL All-Star game, he gifted the car to Semenko to show his appreciation for his on-ice work.
Semenko played junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He was originally selected 25th overall in 1977 by the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League and the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. The Aeros traded Semenko to the Oilers just before their 1977–78 season. He spent his first two professional years as a member of the Oilers in the WHA before the NHL–WHA merger. He scored the final goal in WHA history in Game 6 of the 1979 Avco Cup finals, which the Oilers lost to the Winnipeg Jets.
When the Oilers then joined the NHL, Semenko's rights were still held by the North Stars. The Oilers traded their second and third round picks in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft to acquire his rights from the North Stars who then drafted future hall-of-famer Neal Broten. The trade also gave the Oilers a third round pick, which was used to select future Oilers superstar Mark Messier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Semenko
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsWql2nCMAAWui7.jpg
Semenko played junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He was originally selected 25th overall in 1977 by the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League and the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association. The Aeros traded Semenko to the Oilers just before their 1977–78 season. He spent his first two professional years as a member of the Oilers in the WHA before the NHL–WHA merger. He scored the final goal in WHA history in Game 6 of the 1979 Avco Cup finals, which the Oilers lost to the Winnipeg Jets.
When the Oilers then joined the NHL, Semenko's rights were still held by the North Stars. The Oilers traded their second and third round picks in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft to acquire his rights from the North Stars who then drafted future hall-of-famer Neal Broten. The trade also gave the Oilers a third round pick, which was used to select future Oilers superstar Mark Messier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Semenko
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsWql2nCMAAWui7.jpg
