Shoebox Memories: Tim Kerr

Stopping Tim Kerr was like trying to stop a freight train. Weighing in at 230 pounds the enormous right winger was impossible to move. Kerr had the ability to park himself in the slot and not be budged even by the defense's best efforts.

Because he was a big player that took abuse often, Kerr was plagued with injuries that he had to continuously overcome throughout his career. His injuries included a torn ligament in his knee, and a bad shoulder that he had to have operated on five times.

When asked about his rough treatment Kerr just shrugged it off saying, "That's what the pads are for. I don't snap much. Sometimes they try to bang me from the back, but that just doesn't work"

Despite his injuries, Kerr was a terrific hockey player who had the ability to score. In his first three seasons, Tim Kerr only managed to score a total of 54 goals, an amount that he equaled in his fourth season. He then went on to have another 54 goal season and then two consecutive 58 goal seasons. Kerr also finished with an amazing 18.8% shooting percentage throughout his entire career.

"Of course, it's pretty hard to miss from the crease in," he said when asked about his incredible shot percentage. Almost 80% of Kerr's goals game from ten feet out or closer, since no defensemen could uproot him from the slot.

Pat Quinn commented on Kerr saying, "He's like a tree out there, but he's a tree with brains." Not only was he strong, but he had the ability to think when on the ice. Ted Sator compared him to Mike Bossy saying that his hands were every bit as fast, so in some key face off situations the coach would have Kerr take the draw.

Kerr started off his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, and was later taken by San Jose in the expansion draft of 1991. However, he never played a game with the Sharks because he was immediately traded to the New York Rangers for a year and then to the Hartford Whalers for the final 22 games of his career in the 1992-93 season.

Throughout his career, Kerr played 655 games in which he amassed 370 goals. He also received the Bill Masterton Trophy in 1989, and played in the All Star game from 1984-1986. However, life wasn't always easy for Tim. Not only did he constantly battle injuries throughout his career, but in the 1991-92 season his wife died ten days after giving birth. A great player and goal scorer Tim Kerr was one of the most underrated players during his career in the NHL.