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Biography Dallas Stars
Posted: Tuesday May 30, 2000 11:36 AM
KEN HITCHCOCK, Coach Age: 48; Career record: 206-119-46; Named Stars' coach on January 8, 1996, the 15-23-5 record he posted in his first season in Dallas is the only losing mark he has had during a 12-year professional coaching career. Named 1996-97 Coach of the Year by the Sporting News and Hockey News, he finished second in balloting for the Adams Award. Has been a finalist for the Adams Award each of the last three years. During 10 years as a coach with Sherwood Park in the Canadian Triple-A Midget ranks, compiled a 575-69 record. Coached the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League from 1984-90, leading them to first-place finishes in five of his six seasons. His .693 winning percentage (291-125-15) remains the best in WHL history. Spent three years as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers before returning to head coaching ranks with the Stars' top minor-league affiliate in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Compiled a 110-62-32 in two-plus seasons with the K-Wings. Avid Civil War buff and re-enactor. Ended an 0-11 drought as an All-Star coach when he guided the North American Stars to an 8-6 win in January. Became the winningest coach in franchise history with his 175th victory on December 1 at Montreal. Also tops in Stars' history with 41 playoff wins, a .640 postseason winning percentage and a .617 regular-season winning percentage. ED BELFOUR, Goaltender; No. 20; Age: 35; 5-foot-11, 192 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 62; GA: 2.10; SV PCTG: .919; W-L-T: 32-21-7; Is making his third Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Won the inaugural Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award after leading the league in save percentage. Tied for third in the NHL with a 2.10 goals-against average and set a franchise record with 3,620 minutes played. Became the sixth goaltender in NHL history with six 30-win seasons. His 1.67 GAA in last season's playoffs was the seventh-lowest in history. Set an NHL record by allowing one goal or less in 10 playoff games and established a team mark with three postseason shutouts. Already has tied that record this year. Set a Stars' record by winning his first six playoff games last season. Already shares the NHL mark with 11 consecutive playoff wins in 1992 with Chicago and led the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Finals that year, losing to Pittsburgh. Became the 16th goalie in NHL history to record 300 wins by defeating Washington on Feb. 13. On March 8, was arrested following a disturbance at a Dallas-area hotel and charged with assault and resisting arrest. Broke his own team record with a shutout streak of 164 minutes, 35 seconds, spanning the first two rounds of this year's playoffs. In 1998-99, became the first goalie to win the Presidents' Trophy and the Jennings Trophy in the same season. Leads all active goalies with 49 shutouts. Two-time Vezina Trophy winner and the 1991 Calder Trophy winner as Rookie of the Year. Helped lead North Dakota to the 1987 NCAA championship but was never drafted and signed with Chicago as a free agent. Signed with the Stars as an unrestricted free agent in July 1997. MANNY FERNANDEZ, Goaltender; No. 30; Age: 25; 6-feet, 185 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 24; GA: 2.13; SV PCTG: .920; W-L-T: 11-8-3; Finished one game short of qualifying for the league leaders but would have been first with a .920 save percentage and fifth with a 2.13 goals-against average. Recorded his first career shutout with a 3-0 blanking of Nashville on Feb. 16. Made lone career playoff appearance in Game Three of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton, playing the final 93 seconds after Ed Belfour received a match penalty. Nephew of former Devils coach Jacques Lemaire. Acquired from Quebec in February 1994 for defenseman Tommy Sjodin and a draft pick. Made his NHL debut April 1, 1995. DERIAN HATCHER, Defenseman; No. 2; Age: 27 (turns 28 on June 4); 6-foot-5, 230 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 57; G: 2; A: 22; PTS: 24; PIM: 68 (+6); Stars captain missed 24 games from Dec. 18-Feb. 16 due to a lacerated calf muscle. Recorded his 200th NHL point with an assist Nov. 17 at Washington. Became the first American-born captain of a Stanley Cup champion last year. During the last two seasons, the Stars are 33-7-4 when he records a point. Scored his lone goal of this year's playoffs in Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton. Eighth overall pick in the 1990 draft. Younger brother of New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Hatcher. Missed the first five games of last year's playoffs while completing a suspension for his hit on Jeremy Roenick of Phoenix. Established playoff career highs last year with six assists and seven points. SYLVAIN COTE, Defenseman; No. 3; Age: 34; 6-feet, 190 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 76; G: 8; A: 27; PTS: 35; PIM: 28 (+3); Played for three teams this season, starting with Toronto, which traded him to Chicago on Oct. 8. Acquired by Dallas with defenseman Dave Manson on Feb. 8 for defenseman Kevin Dean, center Derek Plante and a draft pick. Was second among Stars defensemen with 35 points, his best total since the 1995-96 season. Recorded his 400th NHL point with an assist against Calgary on April 3. Played his 1,000th NHL game Jan. 23 against Dallas. Had a pair of five-game points streaks, including one to end the regular season. Picked up an assist on Brett Hull's winning goal in Game 5 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton. Scored lone playoff goal on the power play in Game 5 of the conference semifinals against San Jose. Half of his 10 career playoff goals have come against Pittsburgh. JAMIE PUSHOR, Defenseman; No. 4; Age: 27; 6-foot-3, 224 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 62; G: 0; A: 8; PTS: 8; PIM: 53 (0); Played all five games in the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton but has not appeared since and is seeking his first point of the playoffs. Acquired from Atlanta in July for left wing Jason Botterill. Recorded a career-high eight assists during the regular season but has not scored a goal since Dec. 16, 1998, while with Anaheim. Was one of three rookies to win a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997. Recorded fourth career two-assists game March 3 at Phoenix. DARRYL SYDOR, Defenseman; No. 5; Age: 28; 6-foot-1, 205 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 74; G: 8; A: 26; PTS: 34; PIM: 32 (+6); Is making his third Stanley Cup Finals appearance and second with Dallas. Has only five assists in the postseason after tying for fourth among defensemen in playoff scoring with 12 points last year. Leads Stars defensemen with 31 shots on goal in the playoffs. Scored the winning goal on the power play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Buffalo. Missed eight games during the season with neck, groin and eye injuries. Played his 600th NHL game Feb. 16 against Nashville. Scored a goal in his second All-Star Game appearance in 1999. Finished seventh in balloting for the Norris Trophy in 1998-99. Acquired from Los Angeles in February 1996 for right wing Shane Churla and defenseman Doug Zmolek. Also played for Ken Hitchcock in juniors at Kamloops for two seasons. Seventh overall pick in the 1990 draft. DAVE MANSON, Defenseman; No. 6; Age: 33; 6-foot-3, 220 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 63; G: 1; A: 9; PTS: 10; PIM: 62 (+12); Two-time All-Star was acquired from Chicago with defenseman Sylvain Cote on Feb. 8 for defenseman Kevin Dean, center Derek Plante and a draft pick. Missed four games in November with a bruised foot. Made his 100th career playoff appearance in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against Colorado. Is seeking his first postseason point since 1998 with Montreal. Served three suspensions totaling five games, including a three-game ban for grabbing San Jose goaltender Steve Shields in Chicago's season opener Oct. 4. Ranks 11th on the alltime list with 2,666 penalty minutes, although this season's total of 62 was a career low. Posted career highs with 18 goals, 36 assists and 352 penalty minutes with Chicago in 1988-89. Eleventh overall pick in the 1985 draft, his nickname is "Charlie." MIKE MODANO, Center; No. 9; Age: 29 (turns 30 on June 7); 6-foot-3, 205 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 77; G: 38; A: 43; PTS: 81; PIM: 48 (0); Tied for eighth in the NHL in scoring with his sixth 80-point season. Tied for seventh with seven game-winning goals. Scored against the New York Islanders on March 10 to pass Brian Bellows and become the leading goal-scorer in franchise history. Is the Stars' all-time leader in goals (349) and game-winners (55) while ranking second in assists (467), points (816) and games played (787). Made his fourth All-Star appearance in February. Has led the Stars in scoring seven of the past eight seasons. Barring injury, will pass Neal Broten (115) during the Stanley Cup Finals for the franchise record for playoff appearances in Game Four. Already is Stars all-time leader in playoff goals (41), assists (57) and points (98). Had a career-best eight-game playoff points streak, spanning the Western Conference quarterfinals and semifinals. Came up huge in the conference finals against Colorado, totaling three goals and six assists. Is tied with Philadelphia's John LeClair for the playoff lead with four power-play goals. Was runner-up in Calder Trophy voting in 1990. Top overall pick in the 1988 draft. Missed three games in October with neck and head injuries. Suffered his second concussion of the season Jan. 12 at Calgary. BRIAN SKRUDLAND, Center; No. 10; Age: 36; 6-feet, 195 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 22; G: 1; A: 2; PTS: 3; PIM: 22 (0); Has been out since Jan. 3 with a chest contusion, an injury that also sidelined him for 16 games in October and November. Has made four Stanley Cup Finals appearances, winning championships last year and as a rookie in 1986 with Montreal. Still holds the NHL playoff record for fastest overtime goal when he scored nine seconds into the extra session to win Game 1 of the 1986 Finals against Calgary. Acquired with Mike Keane from the New York Rangers at the 1998 trade deadline. Cousin is former NHLer Barry Pederson. Nickname is "Screwy." Scored lone goal of the season Dec. 15 against Calgary. BLAKE SLOAN, Left wing; No. 11; Age: 23; 5-foot-10, 196 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 67; G: 4; A: 13; PTS: 17; PIM: 50 (+11); Has appeared in 13 of 17 playoff games but is still seeking his first point. Missed 15 games from Feb. 23-March 26 due to a fractured left fibula and sprained ankle. Scored first NHL goal Oct. 5 at Detroit. Had a career-best three-point game with a goal and two assists against Los Angeles on Jan. 20. After playing 14 games last season, he appeared in 19 playoff contests and tied for sixth among rookies with two assists. Played all six games in last year's Stanley Cup Finals. Won the 1996 NCAA championship with Michigan, where he was teammates with New Jersey's John Madden. MIKE KEANE, Right wing; No. 12; Age: 33; 6-feet, 185 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 81; G: 13; A: 21; PTS: 34; PIM: 41 (+9); Proven playoff performer is making his fifth Stanley Cup Finals appearance. One of only eight players to win a championship with three different teams (Montreal, 1993; Colorado, 1996; Dallas, 1999). Also appeared in the Finals with the Canadiens in 1989. Has reached the postseason in 11 of his 12 years in the NHL and has played in each of the last five Western Conference finals. His 13 goals and 34 points during the season were his highest totals since 1993-94. Has missed only three games since the end of the 1995-96 season. Scored the Stars' first goal of the playoffs but has only three assists since. Picked up the primary assist on Roman Lyashenko's series-winning goal in the conference finals. Tied for third in the NHL with four shorthanded goals. Has tattoos commemorating his three Stanley Cups on his left ankle. First job was as a rodeo clown at the Winnipeg Stock Show. Acquired with Brian Skrudland from the New York Rangers at the 1998 trade deadline. JAMIE LANGENBRUNNER, Right wing; No. 15; Age: 24; 6-foot-1, 200 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 65; G: 18; A: 21; PTS: 39; PIM: 68 (+16); Missed the last two games of the Western Conference finals with a knee injury. Has just one playoff goal after scoring 10 last year. Scored on the power play in Game 5 of conference quarterfinals against Edmonton but has seven assists to equal last year's total. Had back-to-back two-assist efforts in Games 5 and 5 of the conference semifinals against San Jose. Scored eight goals in the final 14 games of the regular season. Led the team in plus-minus at plus-16 and was second with six game-winning goals. Five of his 13 career playoff goals have been game-winners. Had a career-best four-game goal-scoring streak from March 10-15. Recorded his 100th NHL assist Dec. 15 against Calgary. Minnesota native played on U.S. National junior team in 1994 and 1995. BRETT HULL, Right wing; No. 16; Age: 35; 5-foot-11, 203 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 79; G: 24; A: 35; PTS: 59; PIM: 43 (-21); Veteran sniper leads all playoff scorers with nine goals and 20 points. Is second with 11 assists and three power-play tallies and third with three game-winners. Only John LeClair of Philadelphia (60) has more shots in the playoffs than Hull (59). Had a seven-game points streak that ended in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Finished with five goals and three assists as Dallas eliminated Colorado for the second consecutive year. Scored in Game Six of that series to move past Mike Bossy into fifth place on the all-time list with 86 playoff goals. Picked up his 1,100th NHL point with an assist at Florida on March 29. Reached the 20-goal mark for the 13th time. One of only three active players with 12 consecutive 20-goal seasons. Became the third-fastest player to 600 goals behind Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux when he scored twice against Anaheim on Dec. 31. Leads all active players with 88 game-winning goals. Had 494 goals in the 1990s, 118 more than anyone else. Scored Stanley Cup-winning goal at Buffalo last June in the third overtime of Game 6. SCOTT THORNTON, Center; No. 17; Age: 29; 6-foot-3, 216 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 65; G: 8; A: 6; PTS: 14; PIM: 108 (-12); Another former Montreal Canadien who has found a home in Dallas. Acquired on Jan. 22 for right wing Juha Lind, he easily has surpassed his previous playoff career high with eight points on two goals and six assists. Had a goal and two assists in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Jose. Filled the spot on the left wing -- formerly occupied by Dave Reid -- on a line with Joe Nieuwendyk and Jamie Langenbrunner. Suspended three games by the NHL for delivering a punch to the head of San Jose's Marco Sturm on March 19. Missed five games in October with a triceps injury. Had a career-high 158 penalty minutes with Montreal in 1997-98. Represented Canada at the 1999 World Championships. GUY CARBONNEAU, Center; No. 21; Age: 40; 5-foot-11, 186 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 69; G: 10; A: 6; PTS: 16; PIM: 36 (+10); NHL's oldest player at 40, he is a veteran of 225 playoff games. Only Mark Messier (236) and Devils coach Larry Robinson (227) have made more postseason appearances. Is making his fifth Stanley Cup Finals appearance, winning with Montreal in 1986 and 1993 and again last year. Played his 1,300th NHL game Feb. 3 at Phoenix. Recorded his 400th assist Dec. 31 against Anaheim. Scored the winning goal in the third period of Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton. Had a shorthanded tally against San Jose in Game 4 of the conference semifinals. Ten regular-season goals were his highest total since netting 14 for Montreal in 1993-94. Three-time Selke Trophy winner as the NHL's top defensive forward (1988, 1989, 1992). Acquired from St. Louis in October 1995. Is tied with Stars GM Bob Gainey for 13th on the Canadiens' all-time playoff scoring list. KIRK MULLER, Center-left wing; No. 22; Age: 34; 6-feet, 205 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 47; G: 7; A: 15; PTS: 22; PIM: 24 (-3); Former Devils captain, he signed with the Stars as a free agent Dec. 15. Reworked his contract two months later to include the 2000-01 season. Is making his second Stanley Cup Finals appearance after winning a championship with Montreal in 1993. Recorded his 900th NHL point with an assist Jan. 20 at Los Angeles. Despite playing only 47 games, he had 22 points, seven more than last season, when he played all 82 games with Florida. Had winning goal and an assist in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton but has only two assists since. Devils made him the second overall pick behind Mario Lemieux in the 1984 draft. RICHARD MATVICHUK, Defenseman; No. 24; Age: 27; 6-foot-2, 215 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 70; G: 4; A: 21; PTS: 25; PIM: 42 (+7); Half of the Stars' most effective defense pairing with Derian Hatcher. Suffered a concussion in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals after taking an elbow to the head from Dave Andreychuk. Did not miss a game and picked up an assist in the Game 7 clincher. Already has matched his total from last year's playoffs with six points on two goals and four assists. Had a career-high 21 assists during the season. Eighth overall pick in the 1991 draft, he signed a new contract Oct. 1. Played his 400th NHL game Jan. 26 against Los Angeles. Led the league with 52 blocked shots in last year's playoffs. Named top defenseman in the Western Hockey League in 1991-92. JOE NIEUWENDYK, Center; No. 25; Age: 33; 6-foot-1, 205 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 48; G: 15; A: 19; PTS: 34; PIM: 26 (-1); Missed 10 games from Dec. 18-Jan. 11 with a chest contusion and was sidelined for 21 games due to a separated shoulder from Jan. 20-March 8. Scored overtime winner in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against Colorado. Won the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of last year's playoffs, when he established career bests with 11 goals, 10 assists and 21 points. Tied the NHL record with six playoff game-winners. Is making his third Stanley Cup Finals appearance after winning championships in his first two. Had a five-game points streak from March 13-24. Was second in the league during the season with a .591 faceoff percentage. Won his first Stanley Cup with Calgary in 1989 and remains second on the Flames' all-time list with 32 playoff goals. Recorded his 400th NHL assist Oct. 1 against Pittsburgh. Attended Cornell and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 1987. Won the Calder Trophy in 1988 after becoming only the second rookie to reach the 50-goal mark. Also became the second player to score 50 goals in each of his first two seasons and was fourth-fastest to 100. JERE LEHTINEN, Left wing; No. 26; Age: 26; 6-feet, 200 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 17; G: 3; A: 5; PTS: 8; PIM: 0 (+1); The 1998 Selke Trophy winner as top defensive forward was limited to 17 games during the season. Missed 30 games from Oct. 20-Dec. 29 with a fractured ankle. Aggravated the injury and underwent surgery, sidelining him from Jan. 20-April 7. He returned for the regular-season finale April 9 against Phoenix but did not play again until the opening game of the Western Conference finals against Colorado. Had two assists in Game 2 of that series and scored his lone playoff goal in Game 5. Tied for second with 10 postseason goals last year, including three in the Stanley Cup Finals, when he set up Brett Hull's championship-winning goal. Became first member of the Stars' organization to win a major award since Al MacAdam captured the Masterton Trophy in 1980. Won a gold medal with Finland at the 1995 World Championships. Was third in voting for the 1997 Selke Trophy in only his second season in the league. SHAWN CHAMBERS, Defenseman; No. 27; Age: 33; 6-foot-2, 200 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 4; G: 0; A: 0; PTS: 0; PIM: 4 (-2); Former Devil has been on injured reserve since Oct. 12, when he underwent surgery to remove pieces of cartilage and repair the surface of his right knee. Missed the final 78 games of the season. Only member of the Stars who also won a Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1995. Grew up on the same street in Sterling Heights, Mich., as brothers Derian and Kevin Hatcher. GRANT MARSHALL, Right wing; No. 29; Age: 26 (turns 27 on June 9); 6-foot-1, 200 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 45; G: 2; A: 6; PTS: 8; PIM: 38 (-5); Suffered a groin injury in Game 7 of the 1999 Western Conference finals that kept him out of the Stanley Cup Finals and the first four games of the 1999-00 regular season. Also missed 22 games from Oct. 15-Dec. 6 with a right groin tear. Groin injuries also sidelined him for 10 games during the rest of the season. Played his 300th NHL game Jan. 31 against Edmonton. Has appeared in 11 of 17 playoff games this season. Picked up lone postseason point with an assist in Game 1 of the conference semifinals against San Jose. Only member of the Stars who appeared in all 82 games during the 1998-99 season, when he established career highs with 13 goals, 31 points, four game-winners and 112 shots. Missed most of the 1990-91 in juniors after suffering a broken neck. Acquired from Toronto in August 1994 with center Peter Zezel as compensation after the Maple Leafs signed Mike Craig. ROMAN LYASHENKO, Center; No. 36; Age: 21; 6-feet, 188 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 58; G: 6; A: 6; PTS: 12; PIM: 10 (-2); Russian rookie started the season in the IHL before making his NHL debut Nov. 5. Missed five games from Nov. 18-26 with a separated shoulder. Scored his first NHL goal Nov. 28 at Atlanta. Tallied twice in a 10-second span at Chicago on Jan. 23 for the second-fastest goals in team history. Scored the winning goal in his playoff debut in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton. His next goal also turned out to the winner in Game 7 of the conference finals against Colorado. Second-round pick in the 1997 draft. BRAD LUKOWICH, Defenseman; No. 37; Age: 23; 6-foot-1, 200 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 60; G: 3; A: 1; PTS: 4; PIM: 50 (-14); Has not seen postseason action after appearing in eight playoff games last year. Became the first rookie defenseman to appear in a Stars' playoff game since Derian Hatcher in 1992. Recorded lone postseason point with an assist in Game 3 of the 1999 Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton. Ended a 26-game goal-scoring drought March 19 against San Jose. A 1994 fourth-round draft pick of the New York Islanders, he was acquired in June 1996 for a third-round pick. AARON GAVEY, Center; No. 44; Age: 26; 6-foot-2, 200 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 41; G: 7; A: 6; PTS: 13; PIM: 44 (0); Made first postseason appearance since 1996 when he played in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton. Scored first career playoff goal in Game 1 of the conference semifinals against San Jose. Had three goals and two assists during a career-high four-game points streak from March 1-8. Two of his seven regular-season goals were game-winners. At the time of his recall, was leading Michigan of the IHL with 14 goals and 29 points and was tied for the lead with 15 assists. A 1992 fourth-round draft pick of Tampa Bay, he was acquired from Calgary in July 1998 for center Bob Bassen. BRENDEN MORROW, Left wing; No. 45; Age: 21; 5-foot-11, 195 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 64; G: 14; A: 19; PTS: 33; PIM: 81 (+8); Made his NHL debut Nov. 18 after he was recalled from the IHL. Flourished as the left wing on a line with Mike Modano and Brett Hull. His 14 goals were the most by a Stars rookie since Modano had 29 in 1989-90. His six-game points streak from Feb. 13-23 was the third-longest by an NHL rookie this season. Scored his first NHL goal Nov. 22 against Colorado. Dallas selected him with the 25th overall pick in the 1997 draft. Has appeared in all but two playoff contests but is mired in a nine-game goal-scoring drought. Scored first career playoff goal in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton. JONATHAN SIM, Center; No. 49; Age: 22; 5-foot-9, 175 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 25; G: 5; A: 3; PTS: 8; PIM: 10 (+4); Rookie made his lone playoff appearance in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against Colorado. Spent most of the regular season in the minor leagues but scored twice, including the game-winner, at St. Louis on Nov. 9. Scored a goal in the 1999 IHL All-Star Game and led the league with 12 power-play goals. Made his NHL debut March 28, 1999, against Nashville and scored his first NHL goal three nights later against Tampa Bay. Selected in the third round of the 1996 draft. SERGEI ZUBOV, Defenseman; No. 56; Age: 29; 6-foot-1, 200 pounds; 1999-2000 stats -- GP: 77; G: 9; A: 33; PTS: 42; PIM: 18 (-2); Missed the Western Conference quarterfinals against Edmonton with a sprained right MCL. Had two assists in Game 1 of the conference semifinals against San Jose and two more in Game 5 of that series. Scored a power-play goal and set up another in Game 7 of the conference finals against Colorado. Despite missing six playoff games, is third among all defensemen with nine points. Was second in the NHL during the season in average ice time at 28 minutes, 50 seconds. Making his third Stanley Cup Finals appearance after winning a championship last year and with the New York Rangers in 1994. Played his 500th NHL game Dec. 31 against Anaheim. Recorded his 400th NHL point with a shorthanded empty-net goal against Los Angeles on Jan. 3. Made his third All-Star Game appearance. Acquired from Pittsburgh in June 1996 for Kevin Hatcher. Won an Olympic gold medal with the Commonwealth of Independent States in 1992. Also won a gold medal for the Soviet Union at the 1989 World Junior Championships.
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