1983-84: Oilers Win First Stanley Cup

The Three Stars:

Oilers Win First Stanley Cup - Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers continue to rewrite the record book. Gretzky goes on a 51 game scoring streak. He actually misses 6 games this season, so his 87 goals, 118 assists and 205 points set modern NHL records for goals, assists and points per game. He wins the Art Ross, Pearson and Hart trophies, of course.  Teammates Jari Kurri and Glenn Anderson join him in the 50 goal club. Defenseman Paul Coffey finishes second in league scoring with an amazing 40 goals and 126 points. The Oilers establish a NHL record with 446 goals scored. Mark Messier then leads the Oilers assault in the playoffs, ending the New York Islanders dynasty by winning the Stanley Cup in 5 games.


Working Overtime - After a 41 year hiatus the NHL reintroduces overtime to NHL regular season games. The games are extended for a 5 minute sudden death extra period.

Rookie Barrasso Amazes - Buffalo Sabres rookie goaltender Tom Barrasso has one of the most amazing seasons in NHL history. The 18 year old steps out of high school, never playing a game of junior or college, and wows with a 26-12-3 record, a 2.84 GAA, first team all star status and winning both the Calder and Vezina Trophies.

Season Highlights:

• It wasn't all great news for Wayne Gretzky. After humiliating the New Jersey Devils by a score of 13-4, The Great One has a rare media miscue when he calls the Devils a "Mickey Mouse" organization.
• Marcel Dionne scores career goal 545 to pass Maurice "Rocket" Richard for second all time.
• Guy Lafleur becomes 10th player all time to reach 500 career goals.
• Grant Fuhr sets a new scoring mark for goaltenders when he is credited with 14 assists.
• Rod Langway continues to amaze. The defensive defenseman scores 9 goals and 33 points - 31 goals and 93 points fewer than Paul Coffey - but is so dominant that he wins his second straight Norris Trophy. He also finishes as runner up to Wayne Gretzky for the Hart Trophy.
• Steve Yzerman debuts with 39 goals in his rookie season.
• A junior star named Mario Lemieux is turning heads when he scores 133 goals and 282 points in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
• There is no miracle at the Olympics this time around. The Soviets take home gold easily. It is legendary goaltender Vladislav Tretiak's last major tournament.

Mario Lemieux of the Laval Voisins