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Not to be confused with Dick Graham.
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Dirk Graham
Born (1959-07-29) July 29, 1959 (age 65)
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Right
Played for Minnesota North Stars
Chicago Blackhawks
National team Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
NHL Draft 89th overall, 1979
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 1979–1995

Dirk Milton Graham, born on July 29, 1959, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). Graham played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars. In 1991, he won the Frank J. Selke Trophy for being the best defensive forward. Dirk Graham also made history as the first NHL captain and head coach of African descent.

Dirk Graham's Hockey Journey

Dirk Graham started his professional hockey journey after being picked by the Vancouver Canucks. This happened in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Before that, he played four years with the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League.

Early Professional Years

Graham spent his first four years playing in minor leagues. These included the International Hockey League (IHL) and the Central Hockey League (CHL). In the 1980–81 season, he scored 40 goals for the Toledo Goaldiggers in the IHL. He was even named to the second all-star team that year.

Two years later, in 1982–83, Graham had an amazing season. He scored 70 goals with the Goaldiggers! This earned him a spot on the first all-star team. His great play caught the eye of the Minnesota North Stars. They signed him as a free agent, even though he never played for the Canucks.

Making it to the NHL

Dirk Graham spent two more years getting ready in the American Hockey League and CHL. He was chosen for the CHL First All-Star Team in 1983–84. By the 1985–86 season, Graham was playing full-time with the North Stars. He scored 20 goals or more in two seasons in Minnesota.

He was also chosen to play for Team Canada. This was for the 1987 World Ice Hockey Championships. On January 2, 1988, Graham was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. He was traded for another player named Curt Fraser.

Becoming a Blackhawks Star

Dirk Graham played his best hockey when he joined the Chicago Blackhawks. In his first full season with the team (1988–89), he scored over 30 goals. He also set a career high with 78 points. A cool fact: 10 of his 33 goals that season were when his team was short a player! This is called a "short-handed" goal. Only a few other legendary players have done this.

He scored 20 goals or more four times during his time with the Blackhawks.

Winning Awards and Leading the Team

In the 1990–91 season, Graham won the Frank J. Selke Trophy. This award goes to the best defensive forward in the league. That same year, he played for Team Canada in the Canada Cup tournament. Canada won first place, beating the United States.

Late in the 1988–89 season, Dirk Graham was named team captain. He took over from Denis Savard. This was a very important moment. Graham became the first player of African descent to be a team captain in the National Hockey League. He led the Blackhawks all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1992. They lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins that year. Graham retired from playing in 1995.

Life After Playing Hockey

After retiring as a player, Dirk Graham stayed involved in hockey. He became an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks. He worked with head coach Craig Hartsburg.

Later, he took a year off. Then, he came back to the Blackhawks as a scout. A scout helps find new talented players. He also briefly served as the head coach for the Blackhawks in the 1998–99 season. He was later replaced by Lorne Molleken. Today, Dirk Graham works as a scout for the San Jose Sharks.

Awards and Achievements

Dirk Graham
Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Ice hockey
Canada Cup
Gold 1991 Canada Ice Hockey
Frank Selke Trophy
Dirk Graham won the Frank Selke Trophy for his great defensive play.
  • WHL Second All-Star Team – 1979
  • Selected to the IHL Second All-Star Team in 1981.
  • Selected to the IHL First All-Star Team in 1983.
  • Selected to the CHL First All-Star Team in 1984.
  • Frank J. Selke Trophy winner in 1991.
  • First player of African descent to be named team captain in the NHL.
  • First person of African descent to be named head coach in the NHL.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1975–76 Regina Blues SJHL 54 36 32 68 82 — — — — —
1975–76 Regina Pats WCHL 2 0 0 0 0 6 1 1 2 5
1976–77 Regina Pats WCHL 65 37 28 65 66 — — — — —
1977–78 Regina Pats WCHL 72 49 61 110 87 13 15 19 34 37
1978–79 Regina Pats WHL 71 48 60 108 252 — — — — —
1979–80 Dallas Black Hawks CHL 62 17 15 32 96 — — — — —
1980–81 Fort Wayne Komets IHL 6 1 2 3 12 — — — — —
1980–81 Toledo Goaldiggers IHL 61 40 45 85 88 — — — — —
1981–82 Toledo Goaldiggers IHL 72 49 65 105 68 13 10 11 21 8
1982–83 Toledo Goaldiggers IHL 78 70 55 125 88 11 13 7 20 30
1983–84 Minnesota North Stars NHL 6 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 2
1983–84 Salt Lake Golden Eagles CHL 57 37 57 94 72 5 3 8 11 2
1984–85 Minnesota North Stars NHL 36 12 11 23 23 9 0 4 4 7
1984–85 Springfield Indians AHL 37 20 28 48 41 — — — — —
1985–86 Minnesota North Stars NHL 80 22 33 55 87 5 3 1 4 2
1987–88 Minnesota North Stars NHL 28 7 5 12 39 — — — — —
1987–88 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 42 17 19 36 32 4 1 2 3 4
1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 80 33 45 78 91 16 2 4 6 38
1989–90 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 73 22 32 54 102 5 1 5 6 2
1990–91 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 80 24 21 45 88 6 1 2 3 19
1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 80 17 30 47 89 18 7 5 12 8
1992–93 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 84 20 17 37 139 4 0 0 0 0
1993–94 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 67 15 18 33 45 6 0 1 1 4
1994–95 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 40 4 9 13 42 16 2 3 5 8
NHL totals 772 219 270 489 919 90 17 27 44 94

International

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1987 Canada WC 9 0 3 3 9
1991 Canada CC 8 3 1 4 0
Senior totals 17 3 4 7 9

Coaching Record

Team Year Regular season Post season
G W L T Pts Division rank Result
Chicago Blackhawks 1998–99 59 16 35 8 40 3rd in Central Fired
NHL totals 59 16 35 8 40
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