Éric Dazé

Lore & Background

Dazé began his career playing midget with Laval in the Quebec AAA Midget Hockey League. He was selected by the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL in the fourth round, 44th overall in the 1991 QMJHL entry draft. After limited use with Hull, he was traded to the Beauport Harfangs for defenceman Jamie Bird. In his first full season with Beauport (1993–94), he tallied 59 goals and 107 points in 66 games, earning QMJHL First All-Star Team and CHL Third All-Star Team honors. In his final QMJHL season, he recorded 54 goals and 99 points in 57 games, again named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team and CHL Third All-Star Team, and awarded the CHL's Top Prospect Award, the QMJHL's Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy, and the Paul Dumont Trophy as the QMJHL's personality of the year.

In the NHL, Dazé scored at least 20 goals in each season between 1996 and 2003, even when struggling with injuries. He displayed a combination of size, good scoring ability, and possessed a quick, accurate shot. Despite his scoring, detractors disliked his lack of physical play. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team and finished second in the Calder Memorial Trophy voting for rookie of the year in 1995–96. Over his career, he experienced frequent line changes and coaching upheavals, including being scratched and requesting a trade in October 2000 before being reinserted on the first line. He became a key part of the Blackhawks' penalty killing unit in the 2000–01 season.

Reader's Guide

Éric Dazé's significance lies in his consistent goal-scoring for the Chicago Blackhawks over an eleven-year period, despite persistent injuries and frequent changes in linemates and coaching staff. He was a reliable offensive contributor, recording at least 20 goals in eight consecutive seasons from 1996 to 2003. His rookie season (1995–96) saw him score 30 goals and 53 points, earning NHL All-Rookie Team honors and a second-place finish in Calder Memorial Trophy voting. Dazé's career was marked by instability: he was bounced among lines, scratched, and even requested a trade in October 2000, yet he still managed to post a career-high 57 points in 2000–01. His legacy is that of a skilled winger who produced consistently for a franchise that underwent frequent roster and coaching changes, though his lack of physical play drew criticism. He was part of Blackhawks playoff runs in 1995, 1996, and 1997, contributing points in each. Dazé's career ended after the 2004–05 season, having played his entire NHL tenure with Chicago.

Did You Know?

• He scored his first NHL goal in his second game, assisted by Denis Savard, in a 4–0 shutout win over the Detroit Red Wings.
• In the 1997–98 season, he set a career-high with four goals in a 6–2 victory over the Florida Panthers.
• He was awarded the QMJHL's Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy for most sportsmanlike play and the Paul Dumont Trophy as the QMJHL's personality of the year.