Our Hockey Heritage: 1980s

In starting this new Hockey Heritage series, I want to pay tribute to some favourite hockey legends. During the quiet times of the off-season, I thought I would share some of my best memories of hockey years ago. We often forget the great players of yesteryear, which is why I would like to reintroduce them to you. 

Some of the greatest underdogs of yesterday. Hockey has some of the greatest gifts we should open up to, appreciate, and shine up. If possible, I might also bring in some of the great announcers I listened to growing up. Or I will watch some on YouTube. They were the greatest storytellers in the game. 

The greatest era of hockey has always been debated. I could give you a solid argument almost every decade. I loved the 1980s despite the Oilers and Islanders dominating. As a Leafs fan, I would call it the dark ages. There were some gosh-awful Maple Leafs teams (family site). I would have to laugh when watching them. If I didn’t, I would have to cry and take up knitting. Trust me, no one wants to see that, although my wife would take it over my colourful language while watching the Leafs and  Flames this coming season. 

The eighties also brought in the greatest rivalries in the NHL. The War of Alberta came into being with the birth of the Oilers and Flames. This was exasperating as a Flames fan after falling at the end of the score. The second rivalry that came from the WHA expansion at the birth of the Quebec Nordiques was the Quebec Civil War. The 1984 series was a classic that went the full seven games, with the Habs emerging victorious. Of course, the 1985 series ended with the famous goal—if memory serves me well—by Peter Stastny for the Nordiques.

Randy

The top four New York Islanders players of the 1980s

 

I am the first to admit that I didn't grow up an Islander fan. Frankly, the only time I really pulled for them is when they played the Oilers in the finals. But, that does not mean I did not respect them for what they are and what they had become. What they became is the heart of a champion. I know that is a little corny. But the reality is they were champions.

My top Islanders' favourite list was hard to put together. There were so many good players in the 1980s. So my list consists of my favourite underdog Islanders. The list is going to surprise you. You probably have a list of your own. Let me know who is on it! 

John Tonelli

I loved John every time he was on the ice. I knew and expected things to happen. He was a firecracker. He was the one who set the pace. I might have some selfish reasoning for picking John. On March 11, 1986, Tonelli was traded to Calgary for Richard Kromm and Steve Konroyd. In Calgary, he became a huge Flames fan favourite. 

Bob Nystrom

Mr. Hustle was always known for his hard work. He would not step down from anyone; he had a heart like a lion. An interesting statistic that I did not know about Bob is he scored 30 goals in the 1977-78 season. I never knew him as a sniper, but one thing I did remember him on May 24, 1980.

Duane Sutter

Look at his last name. Do I really need to explain to you why? Duane is a man's man. The man squatted in the corners; one would have thought he lived there. A fantastic role player who fought for his teammates. He was known for his role as a leader; being from a Sutter family born in Viking, Alberta, he had to be. You never doubted his heart and who he represented. 

Ken Morrow

Ken Morrow was known for being one of the best stay-home defencemen. 

Ken would do anything to win. He blocked every shot he could. It did not matter who was shooting; Ken would give up his body to stop a goal. The greatest achievement of Morrow was, of course, the gold medal Team USA in 1980.

There are a lot more names come to mind when it comes to underdogs playing for the Islanders. That is what made the 1980s New York Islanders so special. Everyone did what they were told—there was no questioning Mr. Al Arbour, the greatest coach in Islanders' history. What made Al Arbour so good was the cast who believed him. 

Randy