Paul Coffey is best known for his speed and scoring power as an NHL defenseman. Ranked second all-time among NHL defensemen in career goals, assists and points, Coffey retired in 2001 as the highest scoring defensemen in NHL playoff history and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.
Some of his many accomplishments include being named to the Canada All-Star Team in 1984 and winning the Canada Cup with Team Canada in 1984, 1987, 1991; Stanley Cup in 1984, 1985, 1987 9 (with Edmonton) and 1991 (with Pittsburgh); playing in the NHL All-Star Game in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997; being named to the NHL First All Star Team in 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1989–90 and playing in the NHL All-Star Game in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997; being ranked 13th all-time in career points, ranked 28 on The Hockey News’ list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players in 1998 and being inducted into the Penguins Hall of Fame in 2007.
At the age of 17, Paul Coffey joined the OHL in 1978-79 with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, contributing 89 points as a rookie defenseman. In his second year, he moved to the Kitchener Rangers and was named to the Ontario Hockey Association’s Second All-Star Team. In the summer of 1980, he was drafted to the Edmonton Oilers and in his second season with the team, he led all NHL defensemen with 89 points. He continued to gain momentum and in 1983-84, was second only to Wayne Gretzky in point collection (126 points). It was also that year that the Edmonton Oilers won their first Stanley Cup.
In 1984-85, Paul Coffey won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman and was chosen to be part of the First All-Star Team. In 1987, Coffey was traded to Pittsburgh, where he continued to make headway by his point scoring and was part of the Penguin’s first Stanley Cup win in 1990-91.
In 1992, Coffey moved to the L.A. Kings and was again traded in 1993 to Detroit, where he scored 14 goals in three consecutive seasons, beginning in 1993-94. In 1996, he was drafted to Hartford and midway through the season, he moved to Philadelphia, followed by a move to 1998 in Chicago and to the Carolina Hurricanes after 10 games.
The final leg of Paul Coffey’s hockey career was with the Boston Bruins, which he joined as a free agent in 2000. His career ended on an extremely high note – 396 goals, 1,135 assists, 1,531 points in 1,409 season games.
Since retiring in 2001, he has lived in Bolton, Ontario with his wife and three children and is currently the owner of a Toyota dealership and a Kia dealership, both in Bolton.
Paul Coffey Stats
1603 games in the NHL.
455 goals.
1272 assists.