‘Honored’ ex-Isles standout Turgeon enters Hall of Fame
TORONTO — Like Henrik Lundqvist, Pierre Turgeon never had the good fortune of hoisting the Stanley Cup above his head, despite piecing together a memorable career that saw him inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night.
Though that does not diminish the impact Turgeon had on the NHL for 19 seasons, over which he recorded 515 goals and 812 assists for 1,327 points in 1,294 games.
“I am honored to have been part of [the NHL’s] journey for 19 years,” Turgeon said in his induction speech. “Many great memories during my career and a special thanks to my coaches, trainers, teammates, friends and fans. From my days with the Buffalo Sabres, the New York Islanders, the Montreal Canadiens, the Dallas Stars, the St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche.”
The Islanders, for whom Turgeon played parts of four seasons from 1991-95, very well could have won the Stanley Cup in 1993 if the Canadian forward hadn’t been hunted down by the Capitals’ Dale Hunter after he scored the series clincher in Game 6 of the first round.
Turgeon, who collected 97 points in 109 playoffs games, could’ve been the difference.
Hunter was handed a 21-game suspension for his actions. After missing seven playoff games due to a separated shoulder, Turgeon returned for the Isles’ eventual five-game loss to the Canadiens.
Turgeon was ultimately named recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which is presented to a “player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”
“It’s nice just to see they’re recognizing your career, recognizing what you’ve done when you were young,” Turgeon said Friday after receiving his ring at the Hall. “It takes a lot of hard work to get there. Working out, training, you’re eating well, all this. And then on top of it, you play with incredible players who helped you to be better, so you’re thankful for these guys.”
Drafted first-overall in 1987 by the Sabres, Turgeon played 322 games over five seasons in Buffalo before he was packaged to the Islanders in a blockbuster trade that sent Pat LaFontaine the other way.
His best season on Long Island came in 1992-93, when Turgeon set career-highs in goals (58) and points (132), which tied for fifthbest in the NHL.