Steve Larmer

Lore & Background

Larmer began his NHL career with Chicago after being drafted in 1980. He spent most of his first two seasons in the minor leagues, appearing in only four games and three games respectively, before becoming a regular in the 1982–83 season. That year he scored 43 goals and 47 assists for 90 points, earning the Calder Memorial Trophy. He was assigned the number 28 jersey in training camp, which he kept for the rest of his career. Larmer was often placed on a line with left winger Al Secord and centre Denis Savard, a trio nicknamed 'The Party Line.' He recorded five 40-goal seasons for Chicago and was a two-time All-Star. A contract dispute at the start of the 1993–94 season led him to sit out the first thirteen games; he was then traded in a three-team deal that sent him to the New York Rangers. With the Rangers, he recorded 60 points in 68 games and played in all 23 games of the run to the Stanley Cup Final, which New York won in seven games. In his final season, he recorded his 1,000th career point and played his 1,000th game before retiring at age 33 with over 400 goals.

Reader's Guide

Larmer's significance lies in his consistent offensive production and durability. He had eleven straight seasons with at least 70 points, including a 100-point season in 1990–91. His 884 consecutive games for Chicago was an NHL record for most consecutive games played with the same team and the third-longest streak in league history at the time. He was a two-time All-Star and received votes for the Frank J. Selke Trophy on five occasions, reflecting his defensive ability. Internationally, he represented Canada at the 1991 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships and the Canada Cup, where he led all players in goals and scored the go-ahead goal in the finals. After retiring, he served as the NHLPA director of player relations from 1998 to 2005 and later on the NHLPA advisory board before resigning in 2009. He departed the Blackhawks as the all-time leader in power play goals (153), a record he still holds.

Did You Know?

• Larmer was helping install a swimming pool when he was drafted by Chicago in 1980.
• He scored a short-handed goal and four assists in Game 7 of the 1990 Division Finals, setting an NHL record for most points in a game seven.
• He played on Canada's top line with Wayne Gretzky during the 1991 Canada Cup and led the tournament in goals.
• His brother Jeff Larmer played with him for Chicago from 1983 to 1986.