Al MacInnis
Defenceman known for the hardest shot in NHL history.
Al MacInnis is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues. He is notable for winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1989, the James Norris Memorial Trophy as top defenceman in 1999, and being named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in 2017.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 2007
- Birth Date
- 1963-07-11
- Birth Place
- Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 2
- Weight Lb
- 204
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Right
- Played For
- Calgary Flames / St. Louis Blues
- Ntl Team
- Canada
- Draft
- 15th overall
- Draft Year
- 1981
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
MacInnis developed his powerful slapshot as a child by shooting pucks against a sheet of plywood against the family barn, often blistering his fingers. He tied Bobby Orr's Ontario Hockey League record for goals by a defenceman in one season with 38, and holds the Canadian Hockey League record of five goals in one game by a defenceman. He famously split goaltender Mike Liut's mask with a shot, and became only the fourth defenceman in NHL history to score 100 points in a season. Internationally, he was an all-star on defence as Canada won the 1991 Canada Cup and was a member of the 2002 team that won Canada's first gold medal in 50 years.
Reader's Guide
MacInnis's significance lies in his combination of offensive production and physical play, particularly his legendary slapshot. He led the Flames to the Stanley Cup in 1989, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, and later won the Norris Trophy as top defenceman in 1999 with the Blues. He finished his career third all-time among defencemen in goals, assists and points, and was named to seven postseason all-star teams. His jersey number 2 was retired by the Blues and honoured by the Flames. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007, and when the Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019, his name was engraved on the Cup for a second time. He remains with the Blues organization as senior advisor to the general manager.
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