Wayne Babych
First 50-goal scorer in St. Louis Blues history.
Last updated
Wayne Joseph Babych, born June 6, 1958, in Edmonton, Alberta, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. Over his NHL career, he played for the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Quebec Nordiques, and Hartford Whalers. His younger brother, Dave Babych, also played in the NHL.
Career
Babych played junior hockey for the Edmonton Oil Kings and Portland Winter Hawks in the Western Canada Hockey League. The St. Louis Blues selected him third overall in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Although the Edmonton Oilers and Quebec Nordiques offered him contracts in the rival World Hockey Association, Babych chose to sign with the Blues. His three-year deal included a $125,000 signing bonus and a fourth-year option, but a contract wording error forced the Blues to keep him for that extra season instead of making it optional.
During the 1978–79 preseason, Babych bruised his ribs in his second game after blocking a shot. He returned for an exhibition game on October 3 against the Los Angeles Kings and scored his first NHL goal on October 13 against the Vancouver Canucks. He quickly co-led the team in scoring with five goals and eight assists in his first seven games, with three goals coming in his first four. By the end of October, he was a fixture on the Blues' "Kid Line" alongside Bernie Federko and Brian Sutter—all under 23 years old—and led the NHL in scoring with 18 points.
Through the first 17 games, the line accounted for 29 of the team's 60 goals. On January 6, Babych broke the Blues' rookie goal-scoring record with his 21st goal, but an ankle injury forced him out of that game. At the time, he led the team with 42 points, and the "Kid Line" had 127 combined points. He missed 13 games, returning on February 13 against the Canucks.
Despite the absence, only Bobby Smith surpassed him in rookie scoring. In his third game back, Babych broke the franchise rookie points record with his 44th point in a 6–6 tie with the New York Rangers. On March 7, he set the rookie assist record with his 31st. He finished his rookie season with 27 goals and 36 assists, placing third in Calder Memorial Trophy voting for Rookie of the Year.
In 1979–80, Babych helped the Blues to a 34-34-12 record and second place in the Smythe Division. He recorded his first NHL hat-trick on October 23 against the Boston Bruins.
Lore & Background
Babych played his junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Canada Hockey League before being drafted third overall by St. Louis in 1978. He chose to sign with the Blues over offers from the Edmonton Oilers and Quebec Nordiques of the WHA, signing a three-year contract with a $125,000 signing bonus. He quickly made an impact, co-leading the team in scoring early in his rookie season and becoming a mainstay on the Blues' 'Kid Line' with Bernie Federko and Brian Sutter. Despite missing 13 games due to an ankle injury, he finished his rookie season with 27 goals and 36 assists, ranking third in Calder Memorial Trophy voting.
In the 1980–81 season, Babych set multiple franchise records. He recorded an eight-game goal streak with 11 goals and seven assists, was selected for the 1981 NHL All-Star Game as an injury replacement for Bryan Trottier, and on March 12 became the first player in Blues history and 25th in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season.
He finished with 54 goals and 42 assists for 96 points, all franchise records for a right winger at the time. His 54 goals stood as the Blues single-season record until Brett Hull's 72-goal season in 1989–90. Babych, Hull, and Brendan Shanahan are the only players in Blues history to record 50-goal seasons.
Babych's later seasons were hampered by injuries, including shoulder problems that limited his play. After his playing career, he ran a water slide company and later built and operated golf courses in Winnipeg with his brother Dave. He also worked with the Canadian Friends of Hockey in Ukraine organization to help disadvantaged Ukrainian children play ice hockey.
Reader's Guide
Wayne Babych's significance lies primarily in his historic 1980–81 season with the St. Louis Blues, when he became the first player in franchise history to score 50 goals in a season. His 54 goals that year set a Blues single-season record that stood until Brett Hull's 72-goal campaign in 1989–90. Babych is one of only three players in Blues history to record a 50-goal season, alongside Hull and Brendan Shanahan. His achievement marked a milestone for the franchise and established a benchmark for future Blues scorers.
Babych's rookie season also demonstrated his impact, as he finished third in Calder Memorial Trophy voting after recording 27 goals and 36 assists. He was a key member of the Blues' 'Kid Line' with Bernie Federko and Brian Sutter, which combined for significant offensive production during his early years. His career was affected by recurring injuries, including shoulder and ankle problems, which limited his consistency after his peak season.
Beyond his playing career, Babych's legacy includes his induction into the St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame in January 2025, alongside Jim Roberts and Curtis Joseph. His post-hockey work with his brother Dave in building golf courses and supporting hockey programs for disadvantaged children in Ukraine reflects his continued connection to the sport and his Ukrainian heritage.
Career statistics and honours
Career statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 1973–74 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1973–74 | Edmonton Mets | AJHL | 56 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 68 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1974–75 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCHL | 68 | 19 | 17 | 36 | 157 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1975–76 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCHL | 61 | 32 | 46 | 78 | 98 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 23 |
| 1976–77 | Portland Winter Hawks | WCHL | 71 | 50 | 62 | 112 | 76 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 1977–78 | Portland Winter Hawks | WCHL | 68 | 50 | 71 | 121 | 218 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 19 |
| 1978–79 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 67 | 27 | 36 | 63 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1979–80 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 59 | 26 | 35 | 61 | 49 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 1980–81 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 78 | 54 | 42 | 96 | 93 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| 1981–82 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 51 | 19 | 25 | 44 | 51 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
| 1982–83 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 71 | 16 | 23 | 39 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1983–84 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 70 | 13 | 29 | 42 | 52 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 1984–85 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 65 | 20 | 34 | 54 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1985–86 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1985–86 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 15 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1985–86 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 37 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 59 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1986–87 | Binghamton Whalers | AHL | 78 | 9 | 33 | 42 | 35 | 14 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 2 |
| 1986–87 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| NHL totals | 519 | 192 | 246 | 438 | 498 | 41 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 24 | ||
| WCHL totals | 269 | 151 | 197 | 348 | 549 | 23 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 52 | ||
Tables copied from the source article, totals included as the source gives them: Wikipedia: Wayne Babych (CC BY-SA 4.0). Wide tables scroll sideways.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Wayne Babych (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Statistics, medals and awards: the tables of the source article.
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