I have always been intrigued by the NHL player who manages to generate offense despite a lack of ice time or power play minutes or quality line mates. The player with the ability to create goals despite what limitations are placed on him is fascinating to me.
I had the pleasure of watching Brett Hull break in to the NHL with the Calgary Flames back in 1986. Hull is, of course, one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the NHL. His 741 regular-season goals were the third-most ever behind Wayne Gretzky (894) and Gordie Howe (801).
At the time, however, Hull was a 22-year-old winger with a famous dad and a reluctance to backcheck.
He played 67 games in his only AHL season that first year, scoring 50 goals and 92 points. Hull joined a Calgary team that had just been to the Stanley Cup Final in 1986. The coach at the time, eventual Hall of Famer Badger "Bob" Johnson, insisted that his players played a solid defensive game.
Hull, the cocky youngster, was certain his best contribution would come in the offensive zone. The two were at loggerheads. Coach Johnson only had one weapon to try to bring Hull to heel: ice time.
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Scott Weldon
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