Paul Coffey

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Lore & Background

Coffey was drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980 NHL entry draft. In the 1981–82 season he scored 89 points and was named a second-team NHL All-Star. In the Oilers' first Stanley Cup-winning season, 1983–84, he became only the second defenceman in NHL history to score 40 goals in a season, and added 86 assists to finish second in point scoring. He won his first James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1984–85 while posting 37 goals and 121 points. On December 26, 1984, in a game against the Calgary Flames, Coffey became the last defenceman in the 20th century to score four goals in one game. Coffey went on to post a historic post-season in the 1985 playoffs, setting records for most goals (12), assists (25), and points (37) in one playoff year by a defenceman on the way to another Stanley Cup. In the 1985–86 season, where he was awarded his second Norris Trophy, Coffey scored 48 goals, which broke Bobby Orr's record for regular season goals by a defenceman (46 goals in 1974–75), and Coffey's 138 regular season points was second only to Orr (139 points in 1970–71) among defencemen. Coffey helped Edmonton to a third Cup in 1986–87, but the deciding game seven of that year's Stanley Cup Final against the Philadelphia Flyers would be his last in an Oiler uniform. Coffey had two years remaining on a contract that paid him a reported $320,000 a year, but held out at the beginning of the 1987–88 season, wanting the contract renegotiated to pay him $800,000 a year. Team owner Peter Pocklington refused to do so, and offended Coffey by suggesting he lacked courage when playing; Coffey vowed never to put on an Edmonton uniform again and demanded a trade. On November 24, 1987, the Oilers traded Coffey, along with Dave Hunter and Wayne Van Dorp, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Craig Simpson, Dave Hannan, Moe Mantha, and Chris Joseph. As the Penguins' Rod Buskas was already wearing uniform number 7, Coffey agreed to change his uniform number from 7 to 77. Coffey would wear 77 for most of the rest of his career until his final season in Boston, where he wore 74. Coffey played four and a half seasons with Pittsburgh. On December 22, 1990, Coffey became the second defenceman after Denis Potvin to record 1,000 points, doing so in a record-breaking 770 games. In 1990–91, Coffey helped Pittsburgh to win their first Stanley Cup, which was also his fourth Cup, defeating

In Their Own Story

On November 24, 1987, the Oilers traded Coffey, along with Dave Hunter and Wayne Van Dorp, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Craig Simpson, Dave Hannan, Moe Mantha, and Chris Joseph. Upon arrival, Coffey changed his number from 7 to 77 because Rod Buskas already wore 7. He played four and a half seasons in Pittsburgh, becoming the second defenceman after Denis Potvin to reach 1,000 points on December 22, 1990, doing so in a record-breaking 770 games. In 1990–91, Coffey helped the Penguins win their first Stanley Cup against the Minnesota North Stars in six games. During the 1991–92 season, he surpassed Potvin to become the career leader in goals, assists, and points by a defenceman. Despite this milestone, his large salary made him expendable when the team struggled after 54 games, leading to a trade to the Los Angeles Kings where he reunited with Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri.

Reader's Guide

Paul Coffey is a legendary defenceman known for his offensive prowess, holding the record for most goals by a defenceman in a single season (48 in 1985–86) and being the only defenceman to score 40 goals more than once. He won three Norris Trophies (1984–85, 1985–86, and 1994–95) and four Stanley Cups (three with Edmonton, one with Pittsburgh). He ranks second all-time among defencemen in goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.

Did You Know?

• Coffey is the only defenceman to score 40 goals in a season more than once, doing so in 1983–84 and 1985–86.
• He holds the record for most goals by a defenceman in one season with 48 in 1985–86.
• Coffey is one of two defencemen to score 100 points in a season more than once, achieving it five times; Bobby Orr did it six times.
• He was traded six times during his NHL career.
• Coffey wore number 77 for most of his career after leaving Edmonton, but wore 74 with the Boston Bruins because Ray Bourque had long worn 77.

Career Achievements and Statistical Dominance

Paul Coffey finished his NHL career with 396 goals, 1,135 assists, and 1,531 points. He ranks second all-time among defencemen in all three categories, behind only Ray Bourque, despite playing 203 fewer games than Bourque. Coffey averaged more points per game than Bourque, lagging by only 48 total points. He holds or shares 33 NHL records in the regular season and playoffs. His career includes winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times (1984–85, 1985–86, 1994–95) and being voted to eight end-of-season All-Star teams (four first-team, four second-team). He reached the 1,000-point milestone in a record-breaking 770 games for a defenceman. Coffey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004, his first year of eligibility.

The Edmonton Era and Historic Playoff Runs

Drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1980, Coffey immediately impacted the team, scoring 89 points in 1981–82 to earn a second-team All-Star nod. In the 1983–84 Stanley Cup-winning season, he became only the second defenceman ever to score 40 goals. His 1985 playoff performance remains historic: 12 goals, 25 assists, and 37 points in one postseason. On December 26, 1984, against the Calgary Flames, he became the last defenceman in the 20th century to score four goals in a single game. Coffey helped Edmonton win their third Cup in 1986–87, but Game 7 of that Final against Philadelphia was his last with the team.

Championships with Pittsburgh and Later Career Moves

After joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in November 1987, Coffey helped them win their first Stanley Cup in 1991. He later passed Denis Potvin to become the all-time leader in defenceman scoring. In 1992–93, after just 10 games with the Los Angeles Kings, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. There, under coach Scotty Bowman, Coffey won his third Norris Trophy during the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season, leading his team in scoring for the only time in his career. The Red Wings won the Presidents' Trophy but lost the Stanley Cup Final to New Jersey. In 1996–97, after a falling out with Bowman, he was traded to the Hartford Whalers and then quickly moved to the Philadelphia Flyers. With the Flyers, he reached the 1997 Stanley Cup Final but suffered a concussion from a hit by Darren McCarty in Game 2, ending his series without points.

Legacy, Honors, and Life Beyond the Rink

Born in Weston and raised in Malton, Ontario, Coffey's hometown recognized his contributions in September 2016 when Mississauga renamed Malton Arena to Paul Coffey Arena and Wildwood Park to Paul Coffey Park. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. His final seasons saw him play for the Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and finally the Boston Bruins in 2000–01. He wore number 74 with Boston as Ray Bourque had worn 77. Coffey was waived by the Bruins after playing only 18 games due to injury and poor performance, ending his final NHL game on December 4, 2000. He turned down two offers to return to the NHL that season. In post-playing life, he faced a three-game suspension in 2014 for a gross misconduct penalty while coaching the Toronto Marlboros midget 'AAA' team.