John Slaney
First Newfoundland-born first-round NHL draft pick.
John G. Slaney (born February 7, 1972) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who now works as an assistant coach for the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL), a role he previously held with the AHL’s Portland Pirates. He is notable as the first player born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador to be selected in the first round of the NHL draft.
Slaney was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, to parents Joe and Helen. His father ran a barber shop while raising Slaney and his four older siblings. He played midget hockey in St. John’s until 1988, when he was drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). At age 15, he scored 41 goals and 69 assists in 61 games for the St. John’s Capitals U18 AAA team, drawing attention from scouts. He was the youngest player chosen for Team Atlantic at the U17 Esso Cup. The Cornwall Royals selected him in the first round of the 1988 OHL draft, and Slaney later stated he would only play for that team. At training camp, he earned praise from teammates and coaches despite media concerns about his size. In the 1988–89 season, he recorded two goals and six assists in his first seven games and was named the Royals’ Star of the Game in his first two contests, both losses. By December, he had nine goals and 32 points in 33 games, finishing his rookie year with 16 goals and 43 assists for 59 points, earning the team’s Most Sportsmanlike Player and Scholastic Player of the Year awards.
Over the offseason, Slaney worked with weights and entered the 1989 training camp at 186 pounds. As a sophomore, he was expected to replace Mathieu Schneider as the Royals’ top defenceman. In December, he and teammate Owen Nolan tried out for Team Canada’s junior team for the 1989 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships but were among the final cuts. Both also represented Team OHL in the OHL/QMJHL Challenge Cup. After rejoining the Royals, Slaney led all defencemen in scoring with 18 goals and 44 points. Initially ranked as a second-round pick by NHL Central Scouting, he climbed to 23rd overall in February and finished seventh. He won the 1990 Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s best defenceman, the CHL Defenceman of the Year Award, and was named to the First All-Star Team.
The Washington Capitals selected Slaney ninth overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1972-02-07
- Birth Place
- St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 0
- Weight Lb
- 189
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- Played For
- Washington Capitals / Colorado Avalanche / Los Angeles Kings / Phoenix Coyotes / Nashville Predators / Pittsburgh Penguins / Philadelphia Flyers
- Draft
- 9th overall
- Draft Year
- 1990
- Draft Team
- Washington Capitals
- Career Start
- 1992
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Slaney played midget hockey in St. John's until 1988, when he was drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) by the Cornwall Royals. As a 15-year-old, he scored 41 goals and 69 assists in 61 games with the St. John's Capitals U18 AAA team. He was the youngest player chosen for Team Atlantic at the U17 Esso Cup. In his rookie OHL season, he recorded 16 goals and 43 assists for 59 points and was named the team's Most Sportsmanlike Player and Scholastic Player of the Year. The following season, he led all defencemen in scoring with 18 goals and 44 points, won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL's best defenceman, and was named CHL Defenceman of the Year.
Slaney was drafted 9th overall by the Washington Capitals in 1990. He scored the game-winning goal for Team Canada at the 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, leading the team to a gold medal, though he injured his ankle on the play. He later suffered a blood clot in his right leg that required months of physiotherapy. After several seasons in the Capitals organization, he made his NHL debut on December 11, 1993, against the Montreal Canadiens, and scored his first NHL goal on December 21 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Following the 1994–95 season, Slaney was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for a third-round pick in the 1996 NHL entry draft. He skated in seven of the Avalanche's first 37 games, recording three assists, before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in December 1995. He later played for the Phoenix Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins, spending significant time in the AHL. He is currently an assistant coach for the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League.
Reader's Guide
John Slaney's significance lies primarily in his pioneering role as the first NHL first-round draft pick born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador, a milestone for hockey development in that province. His junior career was distinguished by exceptional offensive production from the blue line, culminating in the Max Kaminsky Trophy and CHL Defenceman of the Year honors in 1990. His game-winning goal for Team Canada at the 1991 World Junior Championships secured a gold medal and highlighted his ability to perform in high-stakes situations. However, his NHL career did not fully match his junior success; he played parts of seven seasons across five teams, totaling modest offensive numbers. His time with the Colorado Avalanche was brief—seven games with three assists before being traded. Slaney's legacy is that of a highly decorated junior player who achieved a historic first for his home region, but whose professional impact was limited by injuries and an inability to secure a permanent NHL roster spot. He later transitioned into coaching in the AHL.
Did You Know?
- He was the first player born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador to be a first-round NHL draft pick.
- He was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Los Angeles Kings in December 1995 after seven games with the Avalanche.
More in Colorado Avalanche Players 1-24
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