Adam Graves

Lore & Background

Graves began his junior career with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he served as captain and scored 45 goals in the 1986–87 season, leading the team to its first J. Ross Robertson Cup. He was drafted 22nd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1986 NHL entry draft. After a brief stint with Detroit, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in November 1989 as part of a multi-player deal. With Edmonton, he contributed 11 points in 22 playoff games during the 1990 Stanley Cup run, scoring the opening goal in Games 1 and 2 of the Final against the Boston Bruins, and won his first championship.

Graves signed an offer sheet with the New York Rangers in 1991, joining former Oilers teammates Mark Messier and Jeff Beukeboom. In the 1993–94 season, he set a Rangers franchise record with 52 goals, breaking Vic Hadfield's mark of 50, and helped the team win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1940. He scored a power-play goal in Game 7 of the Final against the Vancouver Canucks and assisted on Messier's goal in a 3–2 victory. Graves was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team and received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy that season. He later played for the San Jose Sharks before retiring in 2004.

Reader's Guide

Adam Graves is remembered as a key figure in the New York Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup championship, ending a 54-year drought. His 52-goal season in 1993–94 set a franchise record that stood until Jaromír Jágr surpassed it in 2005–06. Graves was recognized for his defensive play, finishing fifth in Selke Trophy voting in 1991–92, and for his community work, earning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1994 and the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2000. He also received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2000–01 for sportsmanship. Graves was one of seven former Edmonton Oilers to win the Cup with the 1994 Rangers, and his contributions were described by teammate Brian Leetch as the 'foundation' and 'heart and soul' of that team. After retiring, he was hired by the Rangers as a special assistant in prospect development.

Did You Know?

• Graves set a New York Rangers single-season goal record with 52 goals in 1993–94, breaking Vic Hadfield's mark of 50.
• He scored the opening goal in both Game 1 and Game 2 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Final for the Edmonton Oilers.
• Graves was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1994 for his humanitarian work with abused children.
• He fractured Mario Lemieux's wrist with a two-handed stick swing during the 1992 playoffs and was suspended for the remainder of the series.