Paul Coffey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Coffey
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2004
Coffey in 2007
Born	(1961-06-01) June 1, 1961 (age 64) Weston, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Edmonton Oilers Pittsburgh Penguins Los Angeles Kings Detroit Red Wings Hartford Whalers Philadelphia Flyers Chicago Blackhawks Carolina Hurricanes Boston Bruins
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	6th overall, 1980 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	1980–2001

Paul Patrick Coffey (born June 1, 1961) is a Canadian hockey legend who played as a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 21 seasons. He was famous for his incredible speed and ability to score goals, which was rare for a player in his position.

Coffey is considered one of the best defencemen in hockey history. He ranks second all-time for defencemen in goals, assists, and points, just behind Ray Bourque. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman three times. He also holds the record for the most goals scored by a defenceman in a single season, with an amazing 48 goals in 1985–86.

Over his long career, he played for nine different teams and won the Stanley Cup four times. Three of his championships were with the Edmonton Oilers and one was with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players ever.

A Legendary NHL Career

Paul Coffey was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980 NHL entry draft. He quickly became a star. By his second season, he scored 89 points and was named an NHL All-Star.

The Edmonton Oilers Dynasty

Coffey was a key part of the amazing Oilers team of the 1980s. In the 1983–84 season, he scored 40 goals, a rare feat for a defenceman, and helped the Oilers win their first Stanley Cup.

The next season, 1984–85, was even better. He won his first James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's best defenceman. During the 1985 playoffs, he set records for the most goals (12), assists (25), and points (37) by a defenceman in a single postseason. His performance helped the Oilers win another Stanley Cup.

In the 1985–86 season, Coffey broke Bobby Orr's record for most goals by a defenceman in one season, scoring 48 goals. After helping Edmonton win a third Stanley Cup in 1987, Coffey had a disagreement with the team over his contract. He asked for a trade and was sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

More Stanley Cup Success

In Pittsburgh, Coffey had to change his jersey number from 7 to 77. He continued to be a top player, and in 1990, he became the second defenceman in history to score 1,000 career points. In 1991, he won his fourth Stanley Cup with the Penguins.

After his time in Pittsburgh, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, where he played with his old Oilers teammates Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri.

Later Years and Final Seasons

Coffey later joined the Detroit Red Wings. In the 1994–95 season, he led the Red Wings in scoring and won his third Norris Trophy. He helped Detroit reach the Stanley Cup Finals that year. The next season, he helped the Red Wings win a record 62 games in the regular season.

Coffey in 2009.

Coffey (right) and Larry Murphy during a ceremony at the final regular season game at Mellon Arena in 2010.

After a disagreement with the coach, Coffey was traded. He played for several more teams, including the Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Carolina Hurricanes. He reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the seventh time with the Flyers in 1997. He played his final season with the Boston Bruins in 2000–01.

When he retired, Coffey had scored 396 goals, 1,135 assists, and 1,531 points. He is still second all-time in scoring for an NHL defenceman. In 2004, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Edmonton Oilers retired his number 7 jersey in his honor.

Life After Playing

After retiring as a player, Coffey stayed involved in hockey. He coached a youth hockey team and became a co-owner of the Pickering Panthers in the OJHL.

In November 2023, Paul Coffey returned to the Edmonton Oilers as an assistant coach, bringing his experience back to his first NHL team.

Personal Life

Coffey and his wife have three children. He once owned a car dealership in Bolton, Ontario. In 2016, his hometown of Mississauga, Ontario, honored him by renaming an arena and a park after him.

Major Awards and Achievements

• Won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman three times (1985, 1986, 1995).
• Named to the NHL First All-Star Team four times.
• Named to the NHL Second All-Star Team four times.
• Played in 14 NHL All-Star Games.
• Won the Stanley Cup four times (1984, 1985, 1987, 1991).
• Won three Canada Cups with Team Canada (1984, 1987, 1991).
• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.
• Ranked #28 on The Hockey News list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players in 1998.
• Inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Amazing Records

Paul Coffey set many records during his career. Here are some of the most impressive ones for a defenceman:

• Most goals in one season: 48 goals (1985–86)
• Most points in one playoff year: 37 points (1985)
• Fastest to score 1,000 points: 770 games
• Longest point-scoring streak: 28 games (1985–86)
• Most career playoff goals: 59 goals
• Most career playoff points: 196 points

Career Statistics

This table shows Paul Coffey's total points for his career in the NHL.

See also

In Spanish: Paul Coffey para niños

• Hockey Hall of Fame
• James Norris Memorial Trophy
• List of NHL statistical leaders
• List of NHL players with 1,000 points