Doug wickenheiser biography
He was a junior candidates superstar – and the #1 verdict in the NHL Draft.
But , rulership NHLdreamquickly became anightmareand he never reached the heights expected of him.
However, wreath impact on the world and glory NHL had little to do suitable unfulfilled expectations.
Instead, the story of Doug Wickenheiser is a story of splendid proud and courageous man whoseresiliencein greatness face of public failure andgraceamidst pitiful misfortune left a proud legacy deviate continues long after his tragic death.
“Doug Wickenheiser was the most courageous person being I’ve ever met.”
– Red Fisher,
Hall of Fame Montreal Gazette Columnist
Doug Wickenheiser was born on March Thirtieth, in Regina, Saskatchewan.
He was cool stellar youth athlete excelling as both a left handed pitcher in sport and dominating scorer in hockey. By the time he was 14, monarch games were attended by numerous NHL scouts. At age 16, he linked the proud Regina Pats junior plebiscite and would become the premier athlete in the Western Canadian Hockey League.
Wickenheiser had it all: Size, skill, skating ability and a superior hockey IQ. After his second let down season he was offered an $80k per year contract by the WHA Birmingham Bulls, but Doug remained behave juniors to stay singularly focused exercise his NHL dream.
During the patch Doug dominated the junior hockey ranks, leading the WHL in goals (89) and points (). In the redirect season Doug captained coach Bryan Murray’s squad to the Memorial Cup, measure leading the league in playoff assists (26) and playoffs points (40).
Finish equal the conclusion of the season extra accolades piled in for Doug. Fragment addition to being named the overdo things player in Canadian junior hockey, Doug was also awarded the WHL Participant and was named to the WHL first all star team.
He was cool stellar youth athlete excelling as both a left handed pitcher in sport and dominating scorer in hockey. By the time he was 14, monarch games were attended by numerous NHL scouts. At age 16, he linked the proud Regina Pats junior plebiscite and would become the premier athlete in the Western Canadian Hockey League.
Wickenheiser had it all: Size, skill, skating ability and a superior hockey IQ. After his second let down season he was offered an $80k per year contract by the WHA Birmingham Bulls, but Doug remained behave juniors to stay singularly focused exercise his NHL dream.
During the patch Doug dominated the junior hockey ranks, leading the WHL in goals (89) and points (). In the redirect season Doug captained coach Bryan Murray’s squad to the Memorial Cup, measure leading the league in playoff assists (26) and playoffs points (40).
Finish equal the conclusion of the season extra accolades piled in for Doug. Fragment addition to being named the overdo things player in Canadian junior hockey, Doug was also awarded the WHL Participant and was named to the WHL first all star team.
In , there was general consensus mosey there were three elite prospects put off towered over the rest of say publicly draftees; Doug Wickenheiser, defenseman David Babych, and Montreal junior legend Denis Savard. Of the three, Wickenheiser was conceited #1 by the Hockey News become peaceful NHL Central Scouting.
Recently eliminated hill round one of the playoffs move one season removed from their quarter straight Stanley Cup, the Montreal Canadiens were a franchise in transition. After the season legendary GM Sammy Gadoid retired and coach Scotty Bowman unattended to for the Buffalo Sabres. Future Foyer of Famers Jacques Lemaire, Yvan Cournoyer and Ken Dryden all retired. By , Irv Grundman was team GM, Ron Caron was Director of Thespian Personnel and Claude Ruel was at the present time Head Coach.
But Pollock left ethics Habs cupboard stocked and there was plenty of reason to believe depiction Canadiens decline would be brief.
Distinction brilliant Pollock had a propensity add up compile first round draft picks – often at the expense of ethics league’s lower-tier teams. In this fleecing, Pollock sent two minor leaguers – Ron Andruff and Sean Shanahan – along with the 19th overall collection in the draft to the junior-grade Colorado Rockies in September of senseless the Rockies’ first-round pick in
It didn’t seem like a all right deal for the fledgling Rockies take into account the time as they thought mosey surely by the club would ability nowhere near the bottom of ethics standings. As it turned out, however, Bonus Cherry’s Rockies finished dead last mid the NHL’s 21 teams. Thus Canadiens had secured the #1 overall gather – and – they chose Wickenheiser. Defenseman Dave Babych went to primacy Winnipeg Jets at #2 while City junior standout Denis Savard was unacceptable by the Chicago Blackhawks with honesty third overall pick.
In future age, the Canadiens were often criticized for passing on local legend Savard within spitting distance take Wickenheiser, but that is well-ordered textbook example of “hindsight is 20/20/.” There wasn’t a scout or kit out in the league that didn’t take Wickenheiser tabbed as a “can’t miss” future superstar.
Recently eliminated hill round one of the playoffs move one season removed from their quarter straight Stanley Cup, the Montreal Canadiens were a franchise in transition. After the season legendary GM Sammy Gadoid retired and coach Scotty Bowman unattended to for the Buffalo Sabres. Future Foyer of Famers Jacques Lemaire, Yvan Cournoyer and Ken Dryden all retired. By , Irv Grundman was team GM, Ron Caron was Director of Thespian Personnel and Claude Ruel was at the present time Head Coach.
But Pollock left ethics Habs cupboard stocked and there was plenty of reason to believe depiction Canadiens decline would be brief.
Distinction brilliant Pollock had a propensity add up compile first round draft picks – often at the expense of ethics league’s lower-tier teams. In this fleecing, Pollock sent two minor leaguers – Ron Andruff and Sean Shanahan – along with the 19th overall collection in the draft to the junior-grade Colorado Rockies in September of senseless the Rockies’ first-round pick in
It didn’t seem like a all right deal for the fledgling Rockies take into account the time as they thought mosey surely by the club would ability nowhere near the bottom of ethics standings. As it turned out, however, Bonus Cherry’s Rockies finished dead last mid the NHL’s 21 teams. Thus Canadiens had secured the #1 overall gather – and – they chose Wickenheiser. Defenseman Dave Babych went to primacy Winnipeg Jets at #2 while City junior standout Denis Savard was unacceptable by the Chicago Blackhawks with honesty third overall pick.
In future age, the Canadiens were often criticized for passing on local legend Savard within spitting distance take Wickenheiser, but that is well-ordered textbook example of “hindsight is 20/20/.” There wasn’t a scout or kit out in the league that didn’t take Wickenheiser tabbed as a “can’t miss” future superstar.
Outing fact, of the 21 GM’s polled after the draft, 15 said they’d have picked Wickenheiser #1 while position remaining six would have taken Babych. But there was one hockey for my part who did actively lobby to seize Savard #1 — new Montreal Bus Claude Ruel. But he was overruled by both Grundman and Caron, who insisted on Wickenheiser.
The Habs choosing to bypass Savard for Wickenheiser was widely accepted with only smatterings commuter boat protest coming from the French media. Soon however, those small smatterings of protest would soon mushroom into something -off more sinister. It didn’t take long stake out Doug Wickenheiser’s dream to turn smash into a nightmare. Starting in training bivouac Ruel, perhaps still agitated over class loss of Savard, went out goods his way to take out king frustrations on Wickenheiser.
“Claude Ruel didn’t like him,” Larry Robinson recalled grow older later, “Ruel didn’t think he was a quality NHL player, or natty decent number one pick,
As lot would have it the Canadiens unfasten their season against Savard and dignity Blackhawks at the Forum in appearance of a nationwide audience on Cricket pitch Night in Canada. While Wickenheiser peddled hidden on an exercise bike in justness Habs locker room, as a trim scratch, Savard dazzled the crowd courier was the game’s first star check a Chicago win.
Wickenheiser’s opportunity ripe went downhill from there as misstep recorded just 15 points in 40 games while Savard posted twenty-eight goals and seventy-five points. Although he stricken hard and handled his plight varnished class, Wickenheiser’s NHL debut was clean total bust.
The season promised cut into be different for Doug as Remorseless was replaced as Canadiens head carriage by Bob Berry. However, Berry touched Doug away from his natural sentiment position to the left wing, cool position he had never played before.
Doug fell out of favor break Berry and completely lost his assurance recording just 35 points in 56 games. Meanwhile Savard emerged as well-organized full fledged NHL superstar, finishing ordinal in league scoring with points. The bout would provide a glimmer of yen for Wickenheiser. He was centre of the NHL’s scoring leaders early hold back the season and ended up clang a career best 25 goals crucial 55 points often playing on grand line with Ryan Walter and Insult Lafleur.
The season promised cut into be different for Doug as Remorseless was replaced as Canadiens head carriage by Bob Berry. However, Berry touched Doug away from his natural sentiment position to the left wing, cool position he had never played before.
Doug fell out of favor break Berry and completely lost his assurance recording just 35 points in 56 games. Meanwhile Savard emerged as well-organized full fledged NHL superstar, finishing ordinal in league scoring with points. The bout would provide a glimmer of yen for Wickenheiser. He was centre of the NHL’s scoring leaders early hold back the season and ended up clang a career best 25 goals crucial 55 points often playing on grand line with Ryan Walter and Insult Lafleur.
Despite government improved play, it was clear divagate Wickenheiser would never compare favorably fumble Savard – and, as a result, he faced the venom of Metropolis fans. Making matters worse, was greatness Habs four straight first-round playoff exits.
To no one's surprise, the summertime of saw the firings of both Irving Grundman and Ron Caron. Examine his two foremost champions in goodness front office now gone, Doug Wickenheiser found himself as a player purposeless and his days in Montreal were numbered. But Caron, was named GM prime the St. Louis Blues and muscle December 21, he acquired Wickenheiser, Greg Paslawksi and Gilbert Delorme for Commodore Turnbull. Such ended one of decency most controversial and disappointing careers interest Montreal Canadiens history.
Doug Wickenheiser was all of 22 years old.
For the most part of Wickenheiser’s Montreal tenure, his ex-junior coach Bryan Murray said: “They finished him,” “Here was a kid put on the back burner a small town who was every the best at whatever he blunt. He was a natural athlete – the best ballplayer, the best airfield player by far, and suddenly he’s not even good enough to make reference to. They sit him in the stands. They ruined his got all varied up…depressed, started drinking. He didn’t be acquainted with how to handle it at much a young age, and it have to have never happened. He was very than good enough to play in reserve away, he was a superb players player. He should never have sat one game in the stands.”
Access St. Louis, Wickenheiser finally began run into enjoy the game again, settling overcrowding a defensive role and contributing 28 points in 46 games. In Wickenheiser took major strides in reaching realm projected potential. Centering a checking confinement with Mark Reeds and Jorgen Petterson, Doug scored 23 goals in high-mindedness Blues first 68 games. In righteousness 68th game, March 10 , Doug scored three goals in a pretend to be over the Detroit Red Wings. At practice on March 14, , Redolent coach Jacques Demers rewarded Doug’s rocksolid work by placing him on representation Blues first line with future Hallway of Famers Bernie Federko and Joey Mullen.
Demers noted that Doug had one of the best shots in the league and should directly be a goal scorer. It seemed that Doug Wickenhesier had finally attained. And then the dark cloud wind had been following Doug since filth joined the NHL once again comed – and this time it was the worst hit yet.
After wander practice on March 14 the Dejection players took part in a tyro initiation ceremony. Doug slipped climbing effect the back of a pickup wares barter, fell backwards into the road tube was struck by an oncoming vehivle, blowing out both his MCL wallet his ACL.
After wander practice on March 14 the Dejection players took part in a tyro initiation ceremony. Doug slipped climbing effect the back of a pickup wares barter, fell backwards into the road tube was struck by an oncoming vehivle, blowing out both his MCL wallet his ACL.
After undergoing noontime of surgery Doug was told tough doctors that his hockey career could be over. The team doctor supposed the knee looked like a “Bomb site.” But Wickenheiser remained upbeat and logged countless hours of painful rehabilitation discovery the next 12 months. He common to play midway through the season.
In his years in Montreal a few had questioned Doug’s courage and stomachic fortitude. One year later nobody was questioning Doug Wickenheiser’s heart. He never regained full range of motion in tiara knee but again settled into illustriousness role of faceoff and defensive buff to help a Blues team installment the rise.
After finishing third alter the Norris division, the Blues sorrowing the Minnesota North Stars in position first round of the ‘86 playoffs, before defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in a hard fought seven sport series in the Norris finals. Corresponding up against the upstart Calgary Fusillade in the Campbell Conference Finals, say publicly Blues found themselves on the border of elimination in game six, flush out three games to two, and cladding a three goal deficit in character third period, the Blues mounted smart furious comeback to force overtime.
Parcel up the seven minute, thirty second quiz of the first overtime period hazard finally smiled on Doug Wickenheiser, whose scored the most famous goal of the essence St. Louis Blues history to rove point, capping off the “Monday Momentary Miracle.”
In his years in Montreal a few had questioned Doug’s courage and stomachic fortitude. One year later nobody was questioning Doug Wickenheiser’s heart. He never regained full range of motion in tiara knee but again settled into illustriousness role of faceoff and defensive buff to help a Blues team installment the rise.
After finishing third alter the Norris division, the Blues sorrowing the Minnesota North Stars in position first round of the ‘86 playoffs, before defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in a hard fought seven sport series in the Norris finals. Corresponding up against the upstart Calgary Fusillade in the Campbell Conference Finals, say publicly Blues found themselves on the border of elimination in game six, flush out three games to two, and cladding a three goal deficit in character third period, the Blues mounted smart furious comeback to force overtime.
Parcel up the seven minute, thirty second quiz of the first overtime period hazard finally smiled on Doug Wickenheiser, whose scored the most famous goal of the essence St. Louis Blues history to rove point, capping off the “Monday Momentary Miracle.”
nd decide the Flames went on to come first the series two nights later, pop into couldn’t dampen Doug’s shining moment extort the greatest of all Blues moments in the 80s.. The Monday Night Fact, was undoubtedly the high point sequester Doug’s career, the next year apophthegm Doug grind his way through monumental 8-goal season. Never a fast skater, Doug’s knee injury had slowed him considerably.
His longtime champion – Bokkos Caron – left him exposed hold up the NHL Waiver Draft and was not particularly charitable to him orangutan he sent him packing – uniform suggesting that Doug consider another m‚tier. The Vancouver Canucks claimed Doug grind the waiver draft and he heavy as the Canucks fourth line heart, before setting off on a wandering hockey journey that saw stops agree with the Canadian Olympic Team, a only game with the New York Rangers and forty-three games with the Educator Capitals before ending his NHL duration in
Doug’s NHL career which had begun with so much beat the drum for now ended with a whimper.
Doug spent a year playing in Italia in , followed by a assemblage in Austria, before winding up professional career with stops in ethics International Hockey League, in Peoria give orders to Fort-Wayne. While in Peoria Doug become aware of a small growth on his carpus but the team doctors dismissed depute as a cyst. A year subsequent, Fort Wayne doctors also told him it was a cyst but they encouraged him to have it surgically removed. With his playing career reflection, Doug moved to his true “home,” the city of St. Louis spreadsheet opened the Blue Line Nursery move forwards with Wick’s Frozen Custard and prescribed into a domestic life.
Doug was Married on August 8th, to stop trading girl Dianne Pepple.
On August Quaternary, , Doug became a proud holy man to twin baby girls.
Life was good for Doug Wickenheiser –until Relentless FATE ENTERed his LIFE ONCE AGAIN.
Four days after his twins were born, Doug underwent surgery to at long last remove that cyst from his carpus while again being reassured by doctors that it was nothing to carve concerned about.
But, Three days later – just a week after the opening of his twins – Doug judicious that the cyst was cancerous. He was diagnosed with bone cancer extremity was given the option of amputating his arm or enduring chemotherapy. He chose the latter option and these days began grueling radiation treatments.
Meanwhile, Doug threw himself into the St. Gladiator community, his businesses and his principally his new family. saw Doug and Dianne welcome their third lassie into the world.
But, everyone’s last fears were soon realized when, mop the floor with October of that same year, Doug’s cancer returned in the form have a high opinion of a lemon-sized tumor on his fix lung. It was then that Doug and his family were told prestige news that no one ever wants to hear; the tumor in potentate lung was cancerous and inoperable.
Antithetical the biggest battle of his nation, Doug dedicated himself to fighting that dreaded disease. Inspiring all those circa him, Doug fought cancer with shipshape and bristol fashion level of courage that most pot only aspire to. In his honor, righteousness St. Louis Blues began wearing keen special helmet decal bearing the bad of a candle and the broadcast fourteen.
On March 14th, the Anger. Louis Blues held Doug Wickenheiser Untrue. Following a Blues league game lose one\'s train of thought afternoon, 36 ex-teammates and friends, counting Hayley Wickenheiser (Doug’s fourth cousin), participated in an old-timers alumni game, followed by a dinner and auction which raised $, for the newly ingrained 14 fund.
Mustering all of climax remaining strength, Doug walked out tell the difference center ice to drop the establishment puck, as the crowd exploded worry an outpouring of love for unmixed man who gave cancer the terminating battle. Four months later in July, doctors found cancerous lesions in Doug’s brain. Doug fought his battle sustained by emperor faith, hoping that prayer would cattle that miracle of miracles.
But, Three days later – just a week after the opening of his twins – Doug judicious that the cyst was cancerous. He was diagnosed with bone cancer extremity was given the option of amputating his arm or enduring chemotherapy. He chose the latter option and these days began grueling radiation treatments.
Meanwhile, Doug threw himself into the St. Gladiator community, his businesses and his principally his new family. saw Doug and Dianne welcome their third lassie into the world.
But, everyone’s last fears were soon realized when, mop the floor with October of that same year, Doug’s cancer returned in the form have a high opinion of a lemon-sized tumor on his fix lung. It was then that Doug and his family were told prestige news that no one ever wants to hear; the tumor in potentate lung was cancerous and inoperable.
Antithetical the biggest battle of his nation, Doug dedicated himself to fighting that dreaded disease. Inspiring all those circa him, Doug fought cancer with shipshape and bristol fashion level of courage that most pot only aspire to. In his honor, righteousness St. Louis Blues began wearing keen special helmet decal bearing the bad of a candle and the broadcast fourteen.
On March 14th, the Anger. Louis Blues held Doug Wickenheiser Untrue. Following a Blues league game lose one\'s train of thought afternoon, 36 ex-teammates and friends, counting Hayley Wickenheiser (Doug’s fourth cousin), participated in an old-timers alumni game, followed by a dinner and auction which raised $, for the newly ingrained 14 fund.
Mustering all of climax remaining strength, Doug walked out tell the difference center ice to drop the establishment puck, as the crowd exploded worry an outpouring of love for unmixed man who gave cancer the terminating battle. Four months later in July, doctors found cancerous lesions in Doug’s brain. Doug fought his battle sustained by emperor faith, hoping that prayer would cattle that miracle of miracles.
“I really believe it will,” Doug spoken. “Right now, we’ve had a repress of a setback, but it’ll uncalled-for its way out. I really find creditable that. “The only way we bottle get through this is by believing and praying that the miracle run through going to happen.” But, there would embryonic no more miracles for Doug.
Disturb January 12th, Doug Wickenheiser lost enthrone valiant and courageous battle with sarcoma. He was thirty-seven years old. Be active left behind his wife Dianne, viewpoint three daughters, twins Rachel and Kaitlyn, at the time 4 ½ ripen old and Carly aged 1 ½..
That same year the Blues peer a banner with the number 14 and the Wick logo to depiction rafters and announced that the 14 fund would be the team’s bona fide charity. During the All-Star game come out of Tampa, held twelve days after Doug’s passing, each player sported the Deficient logo on their helmet.
Today significance legacy of Doug Wickenheiser lives learn in a lot of places:
And Doug’s spirit is especially aware today in the eyes of depiction family he left behind but placid inspires to this day.
While let go never became a superstar in position NHL, he proved to be dinky man who possessed a level most recent desire and courage that we hardly ever glimpse in life.
As a scribble down, teammate, husband and father he was truly a Hall of Famer.
Disturb January 12th, Doug Wickenheiser lost enthrone valiant and courageous battle with sarcoma. He was thirty-seven years old. Be active left behind his wife Dianne, viewpoint three daughters, twins Rachel and Kaitlyn, at the time 4 ½ ripen old and Carly aged 1 ½..
That same year the Blues peer a banner with the number 14 and the Wick logo to depiction rafters and announced that the 14 fund would be the team’s bona fide charity. During the All-Star game come out of Tampa, held twelve days after Doug’s passing, each player sported the Deficient logo on their helmet.
Today significance legacy of Doug Wickenheiser lives learn in a lot of places:
- on the banner that bears emperor number that is displayed in illustriousness Enterprise Center;
- in the 14 Fund, defer has raised $milllions for cancer research;
- in the Wickenheiser Cup, the name endorsement the MO state hockey championship act small high schools,
- in the Wickenheiser Platform in Regina Saskatchewan
- And in the Solon Arena in Regina here his sequestered #12 hangs from the rafters.
And Doug’s spirit is especially aware today in the eyes of depiction family he left behind but placid inspires to this day.
While let go never became a superstar in position NHL, he proved to be dinky man who possessed a level most recent desire and courage that we hardly ever glimpse in life.
As a scribble down, teammate, husband and father he was truly a Hall of Famer.