Glenn Anderson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glenn Anderson
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2008
Anderson in 2008
Born	(1960-10-02) October 2, 1960 (age 64) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Edmonton Oilers Toronto Maple Leafs New York Rangers St. Louis Blues Lukko Augsburger Panther HC La Chaux-de-Fonds
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	69th overall, 1979 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	1980–1997
Medal record Representing  Canada Men's ice hockey Canada Cup Gold 1984 Canada Gold 1987 Canada World Championships Silver 1989 Sweden

Glenn Chris Anderson (born October 2, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played for 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was known for playing his best in important games. This earned him the nickname "money" player.

Anderson scored five playoff overtime goals, which is the third most in NHL history. He also had 17 playoff game-winning goals, ranking him fifth all-time. In the playoffs, he collected 93 goals, 121 assists, and 214 points. These numbers are among the highest in NHL history. He also holds the record for most regular season game-winning goals for the Edmonton Oilers with 72.

Glenn Anderson won six Stanley Cups during his career. Five were with the Edmonton Oilers and one with the New York Rangers. He also won two gold medals with Team Canada at the Canada Cup tournaments in 1984 and 1987. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. His jersey number, 9, was retired by the Oilers in 2009. In December 2023, Anderson became the Head Coach and General Manager of the Powell River Kings hockey team.

Who is Glenn Anderson?

Anderson was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He grew up in Burnaby. His father was from Norway, and his mother was from Ukraine.

As a young child, Glenn did not like ice hockey very much. His first goal was even in his own net! But by age 12, he felt he had a special talent. He started to love the game more as he improved his powerful skating skills. He even played hockey with his childhood friend, Michael J. Fox, who later became a famous actor.

Anderson's favorite player was Alexander Yakushev from the Soviet team. He watched him play in the 1972 Summit Series. Glenn later helped create a documentary called "To Russia With Love." It was about how Russian hockey changed the game in Canada.

Glenn Anderson's Hockey Journey

Starting in Junior Hockey

Anderson began his junior hockey career in 1977 with the Bellingham Blazers. He scored 62 goals and 69 assists in 64 games. This was a great start! He was even named to the league's Second All-Star Team.

In 1978, he joined the University of Denver hockey team. He led his team in points with 55 in 41 games.

Joining the NHL and Team Canada

The Edmonton Oilers drafted Anderson in 1979. He was the 69th player chosen overall. Instead of joining the Oilers right away, he chose to play for Team Canada in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Playing for Team Canada helped him improve his skills a lot. He scored four points in six games at the Olympics.

Becoming an Edmonton Oilers Star (1980–1991)

In 1980, Anderson joined the Edmonton Oilers. In his first season, he scored 30 goals and 23 assists. The Oilers made the playoffs and surprised everyone by beating the Montreal Canadiens. Anderson showed he was a "fierce" playoff player, scoring 12 points in 9 games.

In his second season, he had career highs with 67 assists and 105 points. The Oilers became the top team in their division.

First Stanley Cup Finals Appearance

In the 1982–83 season, Anderson scored 48 goals and 56 assists. The Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time. They played against the New York Islanders, who were trying to win their fourth straight Stanley Cup. The Oilers lost in four games. This loss taught the team a valuable lesson for future championships.

Winning the Stanley Cup

The Oilers won their division again in 1983–84. Anderson scored a career-high 54 goals and played in his first All-Star Game. In the playoffs, the Oilers faced the Islanders again in the Finals. This time, the Oilers won in five games! This victory ended the Islanders' winning streak and started the Oilers' own dynasty. Anderson scored 17 points in these playoffs.

Anderson signed a long contract with the Oilers in 1984. He continued to play well, scoring 42 goals and 81 points. The Oilers won the Stanley Cup again, beating the Philadelphia Flyers. Anderson had a career-high 16 assists in those playoffs.

In the 1985–86 season, Anderson scored 54 goals and 48 assists, reaching 102 points. He played in his third All-Star Game. The Oilers were eliminated from the playoffs that year, but they bounced back. They won their third Stanley Cup in 1987, beating the Flyers again in a tough seven-game series. Anderson set new playoff highs with 14 goals and 27 points.

More Stanley Cups with the Oilers

In 1987–88, the Oilers finished second in their division. Anderson scored 88 points and played in another All-Star Game. During the 1988 playoffs, Anderson's friend passed away. This sad event inspired him to play even harder. He scored 9 goals and 16 assists, helping the Oilers win their fourth Stanley Cup.

In 1990, the Oilers made a surprise return to the Finals. They defeated the Boston Bruins in five games to win their fifth Stanley Cup. Anderson scored 22 points. He became one of only seven players to be part of all five Oilers Stanley Cup wins.

After the 1990–91 season, the Oilers traded Anderson to the Toronto Maple Leafs. They wanted to build a younger team. Anderson left the Oilers as one of their top players in goals, assists, and points.

Later Career (1991–1997)

Anderson played for the Toronto Maple Leafs for two seasons. He scored over 20 goals in both seasons. He also reached the amazing milestone of 1000 career points with the Maple Leafs. In the 1992–93 playoffs, he scored 18 points in 21 games.

In 1993–94, Anderson was traded to the New York Rangers. There, he reunited with many of his old Oilers teammates, including his friend Mark Messier. The Rangers made it to the Finals and defeated the Vancouver Canucks in seven games. This was the Rangers' first Stanley Cup win since 1940! Anderson scored three goals in the Finals, two of which were game-winners. This was his sixth Stanley Cup victory.

Due to a league-wide work stoppage in 1994–95, Anderson played hockey in Europe. He played in Germany and Finland. After the stoppage ended, he signed with the St. Louis Blues. He later returned to the Oilers for a short time in 1995–96, and then finished his NHL career with the Blues. He played his final professional games in Europe in 1996–97.

Playing for Team Canada

Anderson loved playing in international hockey tournaments. His first big international event was the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Canada finished sixth, and Anderson scored four points.

He played in the 1984 Canada Cup. Team Canada, with eight of Anderson's Oilers teammates, won the Cup by beating Sweden. Anderson scored five points. He also played in the 1987 Canada Cup. Canada won again, this time in an exciting three-game series against the Soviet Union. All three games were very close!

In 1989, Anderson played in the Ice Hockey World Championships for the first time. Canada won the silver medal, with the Soviets taking gold. He played in the World Championships again in 1992.

Anderson wanted to play in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway. He even had a special agreement with his team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, to let him go. However, the league changed its rules, saying only players with less than one year of NHL experience could play. Anderson was told he couldn't play in the Olympics if he wanted to stay in the NHL. He was very disappointed and did not go. Canada won silver that year. The NHL later allowed its players to participate in the Olympics starting in 1998.

Glenn Anderson's Playing Style

Anderson was known for his aggressive style, always driving "to the net." He was a true "power forward" in the early 1980s. He also liked to stay behind the net and pass to his teammates for scoring chances.

He was famous for being a "money" player, meaning he played his best in important, high-pressure games. His five playoff overtime goals and 17 playoff game-winning goals show this. He also holds the Oilers' record for most regular season game-winning goals with 72.

Life After Hockey

Glenn Anderson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 10, 2008. His jersey number 9 was retired by the Oilers on January 18, 2009. This special day was chosen because his former Oilers teammates, Wayne Gretzky and Grant Fuhr, were coaching for the opposing team that night.

Anderson lives in Manhattan, New York with his wife and daughter. He is retired from playing but teaches and runs fantasy camps. These camps give fans a chance to play hockey alongside him. He also works as a commentator and analyst for hockey programs, including for the New York Rangers.

Anderson also appeared on a TV show called Battle of the Blades. He and his partner, Isabelle Brasseur, were figure skaters. They were the second pair to be eliminated. Their charities each received a $12,500 donation.

Awards