Dave Semenko
The enforcer who protected Gretzky, scored the final WHA goal, and won two Cups.
David John Semenko (July 12, 1957 – June 29, 2017) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who served as an enforcer for the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Best known for his tenure in Edmonton, he acted as Wayne Gretzky's 'on-ice bodyguard' from 1978 until 1986. Semenko won two Stanley Cups with the Oilers in 1984 and 1985. He holds a unique place in history as the last player to score a goal in World Hockey Association (WHA) history before that league folded into the NHL.
- Stanley Cup Championships
- 2 (1984 & 1985)
- NHL Games Played
- 575
- Career Goals
- 65
- Career Points
- 153
- Career Penalty Minutes
- 1,175
- Total Fights
- 70
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Semenko's career began with the Brandon Wheat Kings before he was selected 25th overall in 1977 by both the Minnesota North Stars (NHL) and Houston Aeros (WHA). The Aeros traded him to Edmonton just before the 1977–78 season. He spent his first two professional years with the Oilers in the WHA, scoring the final goal in league history during game six of the 1979 Avco Cup Final against the Winnipeg Jets. Upon the NHL-WHA merger, his rights were retained by Minnesota until Edmonton traded their second- and third-round picks to acquire him; that trade also gave the Oilers the pick used to select Mark Messier. Known as an acknowledged enforcer, Semenko protected Wayne Gretzky starting in 1978. In a notable gesture of appreciation after Gretzky won a car for being MVP of the 1983 NHL All-Star game, he gifted it to Semenko.
In Their Own Story
On June 12, 1983, Semenko stepped into an exhibition ring to fight boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The match lasted three rounds and was officially declared a draw, though the Associated Press reported that Ali was not seriously trying and was merely 'toying' with the hockey player. On the ice, his role was defined by protection rather than scoring; he recorded 70 fights over his career. His time as Gretzky's protector ended when he was traded to the Hartford Whalers in 1986. After brief stops there and with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Semenko retired following the 1987–88 season, finishing with 65 goals, 153 points, and 1,175 penalty minutes in 575 NHL games.
Reader's Guide
Following his retirement, Semenko remained deeply connected to the Oilers organization. He served as a radio commentator for Oilers' games and was an assistant coach during the 1996–97 season. From 1997 until 2015, he worked as a professional scout for the team. Known by fans as 'Sammy' or 'Semenk,' and by rivals as 'Cement Head,' he published an autobiography in 1989 titled Looking Out for Number One. He was also named an Honoured Member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Semenko died on June 29, 2017, at age 59 from liver and pancreatic cancer. His funeral was held at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Did You Know?
- Semenko scored the final goal in World Hockey Association history during the 1979 Avco Cup Final.
- Wayne Gretzky gifted Semenko a car after winning it as MVP of the 1983 NHL All-Star game.
- He fought boxing legend Muhammad Ali in an exhibition match that ended in a draw on June 12, 1983.
- Semenko served as an assistant coach for the Oilers during the 1996–97 season and worked as a scout until 2015.