Paul Coffey Norris Trophy (1986)
Second all-time among NHL defencemen in goals, assists, and points; three-time Norris Trophy winner; four-time Stanley Cup champion.
Paul Patrick Coffey (born June 1, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for nine teams over 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1980 to 2000. Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in goals, assists, and points, behind only Ray Bourque. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman three times and was voted to eight end-of-season All-Star teams (four first-team and four second-team). He holds the record for the most goals by a defenceman in one season, 48 in 1985–86, and is the only defenceman to have scored 40 goals more than once, also doing it in 1983–84. He is also one of two defencemen to score 100 points in a season more than once, as he did it five times; Bobby Orr did it six times. Coffey holds or shares 33 NHL records in the regular season and playoffs.
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.
Reader's Guide
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.
Did You Know?
- Coffey was born in Weston, Ontario, and grew up in Malton, Ontario.
- The city of Mississauga renamed Malton Arena to Paul Coffey Arena and Wildwood Park to Paul Coffey Park in a ceremony on September 23, 2016.
- In 2017, Coffey was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.
- In his youth, Coffey played in the 1974 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Mississauga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the Edmonton Oilers defenseman awarded the Norris Trophy in 1986?
Paul Coffey received this prestigious honor following the 1985-86 campaign, becoming a standout figure for the franchise. His selection recognized him as the league's top blueliner during that specific season.
What impact did Paul Coffey's 1986 Norris Trophy have on the position?
It shattered the old perception that defensemen were purely defensive liabilities by showcasing their offensive potential. Coffey proved that a defenseman could serve as the primary scoring engine for a team.
Did Paul Coffey win the Norris Trophy while his team won the Stanley Cup?
No, the Oilers lost in the playoffs during the year he secured this individual award. This distinguishes him from earlier winners like Doug Harvey, who typically won the trophy in championship seasons.
Why was Paul Coffey considered the premier defenseman in 1986?
He dominated the league with offensive production that convinced peers and voters of his superiority at the position. His performance redefined expectations for what a blueliner could achieve statistically.
How important is this record to Oilers fans today?
It stands as a defining moment in franchise history that highlights Coffey's unique contribution to their dynasty era. This accolade remains a key part of the legacy for defenders who played during Edmonton's golden age.
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