Rod Langway Norris Trophy

Lore & Background

Langway was born in Taipei, Taiwan, to a US military family, and is the only NHL player born there. He grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts, and began playing hockey at age 13. He led Randolph High School to three state tournament appearances and was a standout quarterback and baseball prospect. He played college hockey and football at the University of New Hampshire, leading UNH to the NCAA hockey final four in 1977.

He was drafted by both the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) and Birmingham Bulls (WHA) in 1977. He played one season for the Bulls before joining the Canadiens for the 1978–79 season, winning the Stanley Cup at age 22. In 1982, he was traded to the Washington Capitals in a blockbuster deal that saved the franchise from moving and led to 11 consecutive playoff appearances. He served as Capitals captain for 11 seasons.

He won the Norris Trophy in 1983 and 1984, and was runner-up for the Hart Trophy in 1984. He represented the US in the 1981, 1984, and 1987 Canada Cup and the 1982 World Championship. He left the Capitals in February 1993 after his ice time declined. He later served as a player-coach in the IHL and as an assistant coach in the AHL. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.

Reader's Guide

Langway was a left-handed shot defenseman known for his defensive excellence rather than scoring. He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman in 1982–83 and 1983–84. He earned two postseason All-Star first team selections (1982–83, 1983–84) and one Second Team selection (1984–85). He was selected to the NHL All-Star Game six times: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986. He was the first American NHL All-Star since Frank Brimsek in 1948. His jersey number (#5) was retired by the Washington Capitals in 1997.