Dave Semenko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dave Semenko |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Semenko in 2016
|
|||
| Born | July 12, 1957 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
||
| Died | June 29, 2017 (aged 59) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Edmonton Oilers Hartford Whalers Toronto Maple Leafs |
||
| NHL Draft | 25th overall, 1977 Minnesota North Stars |
||
| WHA Draft | 21st overall, 1977 Houston Aeros |
||
| Playing career | 1977–1988 | ||
David John Semenko (born July 12, 1957 – died June 29, 2017) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He also worked as a coach, scout, and TV/radio commentator.
During his time in the National Hockey League (NHL), Semenko played for the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was known as an "enforcer," which means he was a player who protected his teammates, especially star players, from opponents. He was like an "on-ice bodyguard" for Wayne Gretzky when Gretzky first started playing.
Semenko helped the Oilers win two Stanley Cups in 1984 and 1985. He also scored the very last goal in the World Hockey Association (WHA) before it joined with the NHL. After he stopped playing, he became a radio commentator for the Oilers. Dave Semenko passed away on June 29, 2017, due to cancer.
Contents
Hockey Career
Dave Semenko started his hockey journey playing junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings. In 1977, he was chosen by two different leagues. The Minnesota North Stars picked him for the NHL, and the Houston Aeros picked him for the WHA.
The Aeros traded Semenko to the Edmonton Oilers just before the 1977–78 season. He played for the Oilers in the WHA for two years. Then, in 1979, the WHA joined forces with the NHL. Semenko scored the final goal in WHA history during the 1979 Avco Cup finals.
When the Oilers moved to the NHL, the North Stars still had the rights to Semenko. But the Oilers really wanted him back! They traded some of their draft picks to get him from the North Stars. This trade also helped the Oilers pick another future superstar, Mark Messier.
The "On-Ice Bodyguard"
Semenko was famous for being an "enforcer." This meant he was one of the toughest players on the ice. He was known as Wayne Gretzky's "on-ice bodyguard." He protected Gretzky from other players during Gretzky's early years with the Oilers.
Many people thought Semenko was one of the toughest players ever in the NHL. After Gretzky won a car for being the best player in the 1983 NHL All-Star game, he gave the car to Semenko. This showed how much Gretzky appreciated Semenko's protection on the ice.
Boxing Match
On June 12, 1983, Dave Semenko had a special boxing match. He fought against the famous boxing legend Muhammad Ali. It was an exhibition match, meaning it wasn't a serious competition. The match ended in a draw after three rounds. News reports said that Ali wasn't trying very hard and was just having fun with Semenko.
Retirement from Playing
After playing for the Hartford Whalers and Toronto Maple Leafs, Semenko retired from hockey after the 1987–88 season. He played 575 games in the NHL. During his career, he scored 65 goals and had 153 points. He also spent a lot of time in the penalty box, with 1,175 penalty minutes. He was involved in about 70 fights during his career.
After Hockey
After he stopped playing, Dave Semenko continued to be involved in hockey. He became a TV and radio commentator for Oilers games. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Oilers during the 1996–97 season. From 1997 to 2015, he worked as a professional scout for the team. This meant he traveled to watch other players and find new talent for the Oilers.
Semenko passed away on June 29, 2017, when he was 59 years old. He had been diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer shortly before. His funeral was held at Rogers Place in Edmonton, and it was open for everyone to attend.
Awards and Achievements
- Won two Stanley Cup Championships (1984 & 1985)
- Honored as a member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
- Known by fans as "Sammy" or "Semenk"
- Wrote a book about his life in 1989 called Looking Out for Number One
