Daymond Langkow

Lore & Background

Langkow played junior hockey with the Tri-City Americans, where he scored 140 points in 72 games in 1994–95 to win the Bob Clarke Trophy as WHL scoring leader. He was named to the WHL West and Canadian Hockey League First All-Star Teams and finished runner-up for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL MVP. He won a gold medal with Canada at the 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

After being drafted fifth overall by Tampa Bay, Langkow made his NHL debut on October 7, 1995, against the Calgary Flames. He was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in December 1998 and later to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2001. In Phoenix he scored his first career hat trick in the home opener and served as an alternate captain during the 2003–04 season.

Langkow was traded to the Calgary Flames in August 2004, but the 2004–05 season was wiped out by the NHL lockout. He emerged as a top scorer for the Flames, recording consecutive 30-goal seasons in 2006–07 and 2007–08. In March 2010 he suffered a spinal cord injury after being struck in the back of the neck by a slapshot, missing 88 games before returning on April 1, 2011. He was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his comeback.

Reader's Guide

Langkow's career is notable for his consistent offensive production, recording eight consecutive 50-point seasons between 1999 and 2008. He scored 30 goals twice, both with the Calgary Flames, and was the team's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2007. His defensive play was praised by teammates and coaches, who suggested he deserved consideration for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward.

His resilience was demonstrated after a severe spinal cord injury in March 2010, which sidelined him for 376 days and 88 games. Despite being told his return was a '50/50 proposition,' he returned to the Flames lineup on April 1, 2011, and was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy that season. Langkow also holds the Tri-City Americans franchise record for career goals with 159, and his 140-point WHL season in 1994–95 earned him the Bob Clarke Trophy. He played over 1,000 NHL games and represented Canada at the 1996 World Junior Championships, winning a gold medal.

Did You Know?

• He won the Bob Clarke Trophy in 1995 as WHL scoring leader with 140 points.
• He scored his first NHL hat trick in the Phoenix Coyotes' home opener in 2001.
• He returned to NHL play 376 days after suffering a spinal cord injury from a slapshot.