Steve Gainey

It can not be easy trying to make a name for yourself was a NHL rookie when you are the son of a Hockey Hall of Fame legend.

It must be even harder if your dad is the general manager of the team you are trying to make.

Both of these scenarios were what Steve Gainey had to face.

Steve's father Bob Gainey was one of the all time great players in hockey history. As a player he won five Stanley Cups, one Conn Smythe Trophy, and four consecutive Selke Trophies. As such, he is considered to be one of the greatest defensive forwards in the history of the game, and a Hockey Hall of Famer. His number 23 was retired by the Canadiens and he was named as one of the top 100 hockey players of all time by The Hockey News back in 1998.

Bob Gainey later became general manager of the Dallas Stars, building a Stanley Cup winning team in 1999. 

In 1997, Gainey drafted his own son. Steve Gainey was a decent prospect out of the Kamloops Blazers organization in the WHL. He was known more for his hard work than any outstanding hockey skill - not entirely unlike his dad.

Steve did not make his NHL debut until 2001, so, no, he was not part of the Stanley Cup winning team in Dallas. He only played a little over 2 minutes in his NHL debut, yet still managed to pick up his first NHL point - an assist.

There was no ferry tale ending for Steve Gainey's career. He did not step out of his father's footsteps and become a hockey legend beside him. He would only play in 12 more games with the Stars and was traded by new general manager Doug Armstrong to Phoenix in 2004.

In 2005-06 Gainey had his best look at the NHL, playing 20 games with the Coyotes. He would usually only get to play six or seven minutes a night. As such, he picked up one lone assist.

After being cut from a training camp tryout with the Vancouver Canucks in 2006, Gainey retired. He returned after two years to play one more season in the minor leagues.

Gainey retired for good in 2009 and returned to Kamloops. He bought a Taco Del Mar restaurant franchise.