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Jari Pekka Kurri (born May 18, 1960, in Helsinkimarker, Finland) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Famemarker in 2001. He is currently the general manager of Team Finland.

Playing career

Jokerit (1977–1980)

He began his pro career with Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga. After his eleven point Rookie Season for Jokerit in 1977–78, Kurri had two good seasons scoring 30 and 39 points as he played full 33 games on both seasons. Kurri played a total of three seasons for Jokerit. After his third season, Kurri was contracted to the Edmonton Oilers by then General Manager and Head Coach Glen Sather.

Edmonton Oilers (1980–1990)

When Kurri arrived to the Oilers he was soon paired with Wayne Gretzky, a phenomenal Canadian centre. The duo of Kurri and Gretzky became one of the most prolific scoring tandems ever to play in the NHL.

During his tenure in Edmonton, he was nicknamed the "Finnish Flash" (a title since usurped by Teemu Selänne). Kurri was "by far our most complete player," according to Oilers' director of personnel Barry Fraser. Although Kurri never won the Selke Trophy, he was regarded as one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL. Alongside with Kurri, Tikkanen and Gretzky, Edmonton had future hall-of-famers Paul Coffey, Grant Fuhr, Glenn Anderson and Mark Messier. The team won four Stanley Cups during Gretzky's tenure. In 1988, however, the team would be dismantled when Gretzky was infamously traded, along with team enforcer Marty McSorley, to the Los Angeles Kings. Following Gretzky's trade to Los Angeles in 1988, Kurri recorded 195 points in 154 games, leading the Oilers to their fifth and, to date, final Stanley Cup in 1990.

Kurri won five Stanley Cups, all with Edmonton (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990). In 1984–85 he had 135 points and scored 50 goals in his first 50 games, however his 50th game was the Oilers' 53rd game so it does not count as an official 50 goals in 50 games. A year later, he led the league in goals with 68. In 1984–85 Kurri set a record for goals by a right winger when he scored 71. The record lasted for five years until broken by Brett Hull when he scored 72 goals in 1989–90 (Hull's 86 goals in 1990–91 is the current record). Kurri also scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in game seven against the Philadelphia Flyers in 1987.

Kurri's 19 goals in the 1985 post-season (18 games played) tied an NHL record set by the Philadelphia Flyers' Reggie Leach in the 1976 playoffs (16 games played). Those 19 goals included four hat tricks, a still-standing record of most three (or more goal) games in a playoff season. Kurri scored three of the hat tricks against the Blackhawks in the conference finals, also a feat that no player has ever equaled. He remains the only Finnish player to score 5 goals in a single game, achieving the feat on November 19, 1983.

HC Milano Devils (1990–1991)

Kurri's contract with the Oilers expired in 1990 but his NHL rights were still owned by Oilers. Instead of accepting a new contract from the Oilers, Jari Kurri opted for a season in Italy and played for HC Milano Devils of the Italian Serie A. Kurri had 27 goals and 48 assists in 30 games while he played in the less competitive Italian league when compared to NHL.

Los Angeles Kings (1991–1994)

After a season in Italy, Kurri's rights were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers and then to the Los Angeles Kings on the same day. For the first time since the 1988 trade, Kurri was reunited with Wayne Gretzky. The pair had a fairly successful campaign in 1993 leading the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals where they faced off against the Montreal Canadiens. Kurri managed to put together 17 points in 24 games during the run, in which the Kings ultimately fell short and lost the series in 5 games. Jari followed the run up with a few more solid seasons as a Los Angeles King, scoring 146 points in 176 games, his decline in scoring was primarily due to his reduced role, and transition into a more defensive minded forward.

Kurri's best season for the Kings was during the successful 1992–93 NHL season when Kurri posted 27 goals and 60 assists in 82 games.

Jokerit (1994–1995)

During the 1994–95 NHL lockout Jari Kurri represented Jokerit, the team which he played for before his NHL career. Kurri played alongside with Teemu Selänne, the 1992 winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy who had established himself as one of the top stars in Finland during early success in NHL. Kurri had one memorable moment during his visit to SM-liiga when Jokerit faced their local rivals HIFK. Kurri played against his former Oilers-linemate Esa Tikkanen and another Finnish player NHL-player, Christian Ruuttu. Kurri, Selänne and Jokerit captain Waltteri Immonen led Jokerit to 4-2 victory over Russian HC Lada Togliatti in 1995 European Cup Finals

Los Angeles Kings (1995–1996)

After the lockout Kurri returned to Los Angeles but was traded to New York Rangers in 1996 for their playoff run.

New York Rangers (1996)

Jari Kurri's visit to New York was a short one. Kurri played the remainder of the 1995–96 NHL season with the Rangers and posted one goal and four assists in 14 games. While he may not have put up the points the Rangers expected him to at the end of the regular season, Kurri proved some of his value by notching 8 points in 11 playoff games with the Rangers.

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–1997)

After his short period in NY Rangers, Kurri signed with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Kurri intended to play alongside Teemu Selänne and Paul Kariya, but was ultimately reduced to a smaller role on the second and third lines, despite a newfound confidence from rigorous summer training. The Mighty Ducks made it to the playoffs and defeated the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round but were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round.

Colorado Avalanche (1997–1998)

After his single season with the Mighty Ducks, Kurri was signed by the Colorado Avalanche, the 1996 Stanley Cup Champions. Kurri had a more defensive role with the Avalanche. Kurri's highlight of the season was his 600th NHL career goal, which he scored during a regular season game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings. Despite having a strong team with players like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Patrick Roy, the Avalanche were eliminated quickly in the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers. Kurri played his final NHL game (Game 6) in Edmonton, before the Avalanche were defeated in the 7th game.

Conclusion

Jari Kurri finished his career as the highest scoring European-born player in NHL history with totals of 601 goals, 797 assists, and 1,398 points. He also finished with 106 career playoff goals and 233 playoff points, third all-time behind only Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. He is the first Finn to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Famemarker. His 1398 points are 18th all-time, and the second highest among Europeans behind Jaromir Jagr. He is 14th in all-time goals with 601. He is the second leading scorer in Oiler history, with 1,043 points in 754 games, behind only Gretzky. His #17 has been retired by both the Oilers and the Finnish national men's ice hockey team.

On October 27 Jari Kurri's jersey number 17 was retired by his former team Jokerit during the club's 40th Anniversary celebrations. Kurri already has his national team jersey number retired on the ceiling of Hartwall Areenamarker, the home ice of Finnish national men's ice hockey team and SM-liiga team Jokerit

He has a trophy named after him in the SM-liiga, the Jari Kurri trophy, which is given to the most valuable player in SM-liiga Playoffs.

International play

Jari Kurri also had a lengthy International Career for the Finnish National team. Kurri debuted during 1980 Winter Olympics when Finland played in the Olympic Ice Hockey tournament, Kurri had two goals and an assist in his international debut tournament.

Since NHL-players were unable to participate in Winter Olympics and World Championships, Kurri's National team appearances were limited after he started his NHL-career. Kurri was part of Finnish national team during 1981 Canada Cup. Finland lost 4 games and had a 4-4 tie with USA. Kurri had a bit disappointing performance as he had "only" a one assist in five games he played.

After Oilers were eliminated in 1982 NHL Playoffs, Kurri was able to join the Finnish national team in 1982 World Championships. The tournament was held in Finland. Kurri formed Finland's top line along with SM-liiga players Reijo Leppänen of TPS and Kari Jalonen of Kärpät. The lineup led the Finnish team in points and played well during the tournament but Finland was not able to advance to medal round.

Kurri was part of the Finnish National team in 1987 Canada Cup and 1989 Ice Hockey World Championships but Finland was unable to gain success on those tournaments.

In 1991, Kurri represented Finland in 1991 Canada Cup, where Finland lost 3-7 to USA in quarter finals and in the 1991 World Championships which were held again in Finland.

In 1994 Kurri managed to get his first International Medal when Finland got silver after they lost 1 to 2 after a thrilling shootout defeat against Canada.

In 1998 Jari Kurri faced Gretzky on ice for the last time, when Finland and Canada played for the Olympic Bronze medal in Nagano. Finland was the underdog against the All-star team of Canada, but eventually Finland won the game 3–2. Kurri scored the first goal of the game, which turned out to be the last goal of his professional career.

After retirement

Kurri is currently the General Manager of the Finnish national men's ice hockey team, scouting players and assisting the head coach.

Personal life

Kurri married former Miss Finland, Vanessa Kurri, née Forsman, in 2004; they have two daughters, Odessa (born 2002) and Alissa (born 2005), and one son, Paulus (born 2007). Kurri also has twin boys (Joonas and Ville) from his first marriage to Tiina Kurri. Gretzky is the godfather to Kurri's children — not surprising, as during their prime in Edmontonmarker, Kurri was always closest to Gretzky, who himself has always been the first to acknowledge his teammates for their success, and frequently fed Kurri goal opportunities. "The Great One" once commented, "Jari and I see the game the same way."

Transactions











Achievements

  • 1978- European Junior Hockey Championship All-Star Team
  • 1978- Named best forward at the European Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1983- Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1984- Stanley Cup (Edmonton)
  • 1984- NHL Second All-Star Team
  • 1985- Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
  • 1985- Stanley Cup (Edmonton)
  • 1985- NHL First All-Star Team
  • 1985- Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1986- NHL Second All-Star Team
  • 1986- Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1987- Stanley Cup (Edmonton)
  • 1987- NHL First All-Star Team
  • 1988- Stanley Cup (Edmonton)
  • 1988- Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1989- NHL Second All-Star Team
  • 1989- Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1990- Stanley Cup (Edmonton)
  • 1990- Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1991- World Hockey Championship All-Star Team
  • 1993- Played in NHL All-Star Game
  • 1994- World Hockey Championship All-Star Team
  • 1998- Played in NHL All-Star Game: World Team (players born outside North America)
  • 1998- Ranked number 50 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players, the highest-ranking Northern European player.
  • 2001- First Finn inducted into the Hockey Hall of Famemarker


Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1977–78 Jokerit SM-liiga 29 2 9 11 12 6 1 7 8 2
1978–79 Jokerit SM-liiga 33 16 14 30 12 — — — — —
1979–80 Jokerit SM-liiga 33 23 16 39 22 — — — — —
1980–81 Edmonton Oilers NHL 75 32 43 75 40 9 5 7 12 4
1981–82 Edmonton Oilers NHL 71 32 54 86 32 5 2 5 7 10
1982–83 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 45 59 104 22 16 8 15 23 8
1983–84 Edmonton Oilers NHL 64 52 61 113 14 19 14 14 28 13
1984–85 Edmonton Oilers NHL 73 71 64 135 30 18 19 12 31 6
1985–86 Edmonton Oilers NHL 78 68 63 131 22 10 2 10 12 4
1986–87 Edmonton Oilers NHL 79 54 54 108 41 21 15 10 25 20
1987–88 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 43 53 96 30 19 14 17 31 12
1988–89 Edmonton Oilers NHL 76 44 58 102 69 7 3 5 8 6
1989–90 Edmonton Oilers NHL 78 33 60 93 48 22 10 15 25 18
1990–91 HC Devils Milano ITA 30 27 48 75 6 10 10 12 22 2
1991–92 Los Angeles Kings NHL 73 23 37 60 24 4 1 2 3 4
1992–93 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 27 60 87 38 24 9 8 17 12
1993–94 Los Angeles Kings NHL 81 31 46 77 48 — — — — —
1994–95 Jokerit SM-liiga 20 10 9 19 10 — — — — —
1994–95 Los Angeles Kings NHL 38 10 19 29 24 — — — — —
1995–96 Los Angeles Kings NHL 57 17 23 40 37 — — — — —
1995–96 New York Rangers NHL 14 1 4 5 2 11 3 5 8 2
1996–97 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim NHL 82 13 22 35 12 11 1 2 3 4
1997–98 Colorado Avalanche NHL 70 5 17 22 12 4 0 0 0 0
NHL totals 1251 601 797 1398 545 200 106 127 233 123


See also



References

  1. CNN/SI - Nagano Olympics - Olympic Men's Hockey Recap (Canada-Finland) - February 21, 1998


External links




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