Kris Draper

Lore & Background

Draper grew up in West Hill, Ontario, playing minor hockey for the Don Mills Flyers. He was drafted by the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL but chose to play for Team Canada instead.

Selected 62nd overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 1989, he played only 20 NHL games for them over four seasons before being traded to Detroit in 1993 for $1. The trade was orchestrated by Doug MacLean, then general manager of the Adirondack Red Wings. Draper quickly became a fixture in Detroit, earning the nickname 'One Dollar Man' and eventually becoming one of only seven players to play over 1,000 games in a Red Wings uniform.

During the 1996 Western Conference Finals, Draper was checked from behind into the boards by Colorado's Claude Lemieux, suffering a broken jaw, broken nose, broken cheekbone, and a concussion. The hit fueled a bitter rivalry and led to a massive brawl between the teams in 1997.

According to an ESPN special, Draper has not forgiven Lemieux for the hit, nor has Lemieux apologized. Draper's offensive breakout came in 2003–04, when he scored 24 goals and 40 points, winning the Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward. He was named an alternate captain in 2006–07 and played for Team Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Reader's Guide

Kris Draper's significance lies in his transformation from a little-used Jets prospect to a cornerstone of the Detroit Red Wings' dynasty. Acquired for $1, he became the heart of the 'Grind Line,' a checking unit that defined the team's identity during four Stanley Cup championships. His 1,000 games in a Red Wings uniform place him among legends like Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, and Nicklas Lidström. The 1996 hit by Claude Lemieux not only injured Draper but ignited one of the NHL's fiercest rivalries, with Draper's resilience symbolizing Detroit's toughness.

His Selke Trophy season proved he could contribute offensively while maintaining elite defensive play. After retiring, Draper moved directly into the Red Wings' front office, eventually becoming director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager under Steve Yzerman, ensuring his eye for talent continues to shape the franchise. His 222 playoff games rank tenth all-time, underscoring his durability and importance in high-stakes situations.

Did You Know?

• He played in the 1983 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Don Mills Flyers.
• His son Kienan was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL entry draft.
• Draper played competitive pickleball at Grand Rapids' Beer City Open.