- Ken Linseman
Infobox Ice Hockey Player
image_size =
position = Forward
played_for =Philadelphia Flyers
Edmonton Oilers
Boston Bruins
Toronto Maple Leafs
shot = Left
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 175
nickname = The Rat
nationality = CAN
birth_date = Birth date and age|1959|5|18|mf=y
birth_place = Kingston, ON, CAN
career_start = 1978
career_end = 1992
draft = 7th overall
draft_year = 1978
draft_team =Philadelphia Flyers Ken Linseman (born
August 11 ,1958 in Kingston,Ontario ) is a retired Canadian professionalice hockey player.Playing career
Ken Linseman spent his entire junior career with the
Kingston Canadians of the OMJHL from 1974–1977. He played in 187 games, scoring 286 points (133 goals-153 assists). He also added 33 points (16G-17A) in 25 playoff games. Linseman was drafted by theBirmingham Bulls of the WHA in the1977 WHA Entry Draft , and spent the 1977–78 with the Bulls, getting 76 points (38G-38A) in 71 games, and adding 4 points (2G-2A) in 5 playoff games. He was then drafted by thePhiladelphia Flyers as their 1st round, 7th overall pick in the1978 NHL Entry Draft .Linseman began the 1978–79 season with the
Maine Mariners of the AHL, getting 39 points (17G-22A) in 38 games before getting called up by the Flyers. He finished the season in Philadelphia, earning 25 points (5G-20A) in 30 games, then added 8 points (2G-6A) in 8 post-season games. Linseman spent the entire 1979–80 season with the Flyers, getting 79 points (22G-57A) in 80 games, then added 22 points (4G-18A) in 17 playoff games. An injury limited Linseman to 51 games in 1980–81, getting 47 points (17G-30A), and had 20 points (4G-16A) in 12 playoff games. 1981–82 turned out to be the best season of Linseman career, as he scored a career high 92 points (24G-68A) in 79 games, and had 275 PIM, which was 7th highest in the NHL. In 4 playoff games, Linseman registered 3 points (1G-2A). OnAugust 19 ,1982 , the Flyers traded Linseman, along with Greg Adams and Philadelphia's 1st and 3rd round picks in 1983 to theHartford Whalers in exchange forMark Howe and Hartford's 3rd round pick in 1983. The Whalers then swapped Linseman to theEdmonton Oilers withDan Nachbaur forRisto Siltanen andBrent Loney .Kenny picked up the knickname "The Rat" both by his appearance and the way he played. Kenny had a great talent for aggitating the opposing team to a high level of fustration.
With the Oilers in 1982–83, Linseman had 75 points (33G-42A) in 72 games, and helped the Oilers to the Stanley Cup finals with 14 points (6G-8A) in 16 post-season games. In 1983–84, Linseman had 67 points (18G-49A) in 75 games, and helped the Oilers win the
Stanley Cup with 14 points (10G-4A) in 19 games. He scored an NHL record 3 series clinching goals, since tied byMartin Gelinas of theCalgary Flames in 2004. After winning the Stanley Cup, Linseman found himself on the move as the Oilers dealt him to theBoston Bruins forMike Krushelnyski onJune 21 ,1984 .Linseman's had a solid 1984–85 season, with 74 points (25G-49A) in 74 games, and added 10 points (4G-6A) in 5 playoff games. Injuries held Linseman to 64 games in 1985–86, but he scored 81 points (23G-58A), and in 3 playoff games, had 1 assist. His production fell in 1986–87, as he was held again to 64 games, getting 49 points (15G-34A), and in 4 playoff games, had 2 points (1G-1A). In 1987–88, Linseman was healthy again, and saw his point total increase, getting 74 points (29G-45A) in 77 games, and helped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals, earning 25 points (11G-14A) in 23 playoff games. Linseman had a productive 1988–89 season, as he got 72 points (27G-45A) in 78 games, however a late season injury prevented him from playing in any playoff games. In 1989–90, Linseman began the season with Boston, playing in 32 games and getting 22 points (6G-16A). He was traded to the
Philadelphia Flyers onJanuary 16 ,1990 in exchange forDave Poulin . Linseman then played 29 games with the Flyers, getting 14 points (5G-9A) as the team failed to make the playoffs.On
August 31 ,1990 , Linseman signed as a free agent with theEdmonton Oilers and spent the 1990–91 season with the team, getting 36 points (7G-29A) in 56 games, and had an assist in 2 playoff games. OnOctober 7 ,1991 , the Oilers traded Linseman to theToronto Maple Leafs for cash, however Linseman spent only 2 games with Toronto, getting no points. He was released by the Leafs, and ended up playing 5 games in an Italian Hockey League withHC Asiago , getting 6 points (3G-3A) in 5 games, and then 7 points (3G-4A) in 6 playoff games. After the 1991–92 season, Linseman hung his skates up and retired from playing hockey.Awards
*OMJHL Second Team All-Star (1977)
Career statistics
ee also
*
List of NHL seasons
*List of NHL players
*List of QMJHL seasons
*List of AHL seasons External links
*hockeydb|3164
*legendsofhockey|10956
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