Home > Hockey > Hockey Hall of Famers > Jari Pekka Kurri

Jari Pekka Kurri

NHL, the National Hockey League is a premier professional North American Sports League played in indoor stadiums. It’s divided into two conferences, each comprising of three divisions of ice hockey teams. Every outstanding player in the NHL is honored by his nomination to the hall of fame. Jari Kurri is one such former, all time great ice hockey player who holds the honor of being nominated at the National Hockey League Hall of Fame.

Jari Pekka Kurri was born on May 18, 1960 in Helsinki, Finland. He played 17 NHL seasons from 1980 to 1998. Playing the majority of his career both with Wayne Gretzky and in Gretzky's shadow as his so called, right-hand man, Jari Pekka Kurri was considered by many to be perhaps the best defensive forward in the NHL. By age 17, Kurri had realized part of his dream by playing with Jokerit's senior club.

Jari’s efforts earned him a berth on Finland's 1980 Olympic Team and led the Edmonton Oilers to select him 69th overall in that summer's Entry Draft. Over the next eight years, the duo vowed NHL crowds everywhere they went, not only breaking records but eliminating them. Similar to his years in Finland, Kurri's play steadily improved. He recorded a 100-point season in the 1982 to 1983 and reached the 50-goal mark the following year. The Oilers also captured the Stanley Cup in 1984, beginning a run of four championships in five years. But over the next two years, like a man on a mission, he recorded 195 points in 154 games, leading the Oilers to their fifth Stanley Cup in 1990 and earning another berth on the Second All-Star Team.

Kurri managed to play in only four World Championships throughout his career including the 1982, 1989, 1991, and 1994 seasons. He was also named the All-Star right-winger in both the 1991 and 1994 tournaments. He completed his career as the highest scoring European-born player in NHL history revealing a total of 601 goals, 797 assists, and 1,398 points. He also finished with 106 career playoff goals and 233 playoff points.

Though he wasn't the flashiest player, Kurri was consistent and he became an icon for thousands of fans and young players. His two-way abilities were the perfect complement for his hard, accurate shooting and scoring proficiency. Kurri also became just the 25th NHL player to reach the 1,000th point milestone.

Back to Hockey Hall of Famers