Rick Meagher

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Meagher was not drafted by an NHL team. He played four seasons at Boston University, winning numerous awards, including being named to both the First and Second All-Star teams twice, the NCAA East All-American team three times, and the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. He was signed by the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent in 1977–78. He spent his first three years in the AHL with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs. He played his first NHL games in 1979–80, totaling two games for the Canadiens. The following season he was traded to the Hartford Whalers, recording 17 points in 27 games but playing most of the season with their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Whalers. In 1981–82 he played full-time in the NHL, recording 24 goals while centering a line with Don Nachbaur and Warren Miller. In 1982–83 he played only four games with the Whalers before being traded to the New Jersey Devils. He played three seasons with New Jersey until 1984–85, when he was traded to the St. Louis Blues. In St. Louis he had his most productive years, playing on a line with Bernie Federko. He was a two-way forward and top penalty killer. In 1989–90, a season in which he was also named team captain of the Blues, he received the Frank J. Selke Trophy. After 1990–91, he retired due to injuries.

In Their Own Story

The lights of The Saddledome hummed with a low, electric tension as Meagher took the faceoff in overtime. He didn't need to skate fast; he just needed to be faster than everyone else. As soon as the puck dropped, he surged forward, a blur of red and gold, weaving through defenders who seemed frozen in time. With a slapshot that cracked like thunder, he sent the puck past the goalie's glove hand, sending the crowd into a frenzy that would echo for decades.

Reader's Guide

Meagher's career is notable for being undrafted, playing college hockey at Boston University, and later winning the Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward in 1990 with the St. Louis Blues, where he also served as team captain that season.

Did You Know?

• Meagher was not drafted by an NHL team.
• He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1990 as the league's top defensive forward.
• He was named team captain of the St. Louis Blues in the 1989–90 season.
• He played college hockey at Boston University and was named to the NCAA East All-American team three times.