perjantai 13. marraskuuta 2009

PETRI SKRIKO

6. PETRI SKRIKO Selected in the 8th round (157th overall) in 1981

The Skreek defines the term “draft steal”. Taken in the 8th round back in 1981, the Lappeenranta, Finland native dominated as a hometown hero at 18 years old before the Canucks nabbed him with the 157th pick. Skriko signed with Vancouver in 1985-86 and promptly racked up 21 goals and 37 points.

The following season – just his second in the NHL - Skriko led the team with 78 points. He recorded four consecutive 30-goal seasons and in November of 1986 he netted three hat tricks, just eight days apart and was the first-ever Vancouver Canuck to be named the NHL’s Player of the Month. The Skreaky Wheel didn’t exactly grease the goalies as the 80’s wore on and the Canucks dealt him to the Boston Bruins for a second-round draft choice (Michael Peca). The Bruins flipped him to the Jets for Brent Ashton, and eventually Petri signed as a free agent with the Sharks in 1992 and played a few months before returning to Europe.

In 9 seasons in the NHL, Skriko recorded 183 goals and 222 assists for 405 points in 541 games, After a brief stint back in the SM-Liiga, Skriko moved to the Danish league with Herning IK in 1993. He would be one of the best players ever to play in Denmark, helping his team to four championships and earning two Player of the Year honours. He would retire in 1999, but continue on as the team's head coach, winning another title in that capacity in 2001.

Finnish Rookie of the Year (1981) WJC-A All-Star Team (1982) Named Best Forward at WJC-A (1982) Finnish First All-Star Team (1984) Traded to Boston by Vancouver for Boston's 2nd round choice (Michael Peca) in 1992 Entry Draft, January 16, 1991. Traded to Winnipeg by Boston for Brent Ashton, October 29, 1991. Signed as a free agent by San Jose, August 27, 1992.

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