Jari Kurri
The first Finnish player to score 500 NHL goals and a five-time Stanley Cup champion with Edmonton.
Jari Kurri is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player who played right wing for five NHL teams, beginning his career in 1980 with the Edmonton Oilers. Known for a quick release and exceptional scoring consistency, he recorded at least 30 goals in each of his first ten seasons. Kurri became the 19th player in NHL history and the first Finnish player to score 500 goals in 1992, later scoring his 600th goal on October 17, 1997, and finishing his career with 601 goals.
- NHL Seasons
- 17
- Career Goals
- 601
- Stanley Cups
- 5
- Lady Byng Trophy Wins
- 1
- Postseason Goal Record (tied)
- 19
- Draft Year
- 1980
- Jersey Number Retired
- #17
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Kurri's chemistry with Wayne Gretzky defined an era; Gretzky assisted on 364 of Kurri's 601 career goals, while Kurri assisted on 196 of Gretzky's. In the 1985 playoffs, Kurri tied the all-time postseason record with 19 goals and set three specific records: most hat tricks in a single postseason (4), most goals in a single series (12), and most hat tricks in a single series (3). He led all skaters in playoff goals on four occasions. Despite never winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy, his sportsmanship earned him the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 1985. Before joining the NHL, he rose from the Finnish junior team to the national squad in just two years and played for Jokerit in the SM-liiga.
In Their Own Story
On November 26, 1980, Kurri recorded his first hat trick against the Chicago Black Hawks with Tony Esposito in goal. During that same postseason against the Chicago Blackhawks, he scored two goals in Game one, a hat trick in Game two, three goals in Game five, and four goals in Game six to send Edmonton to the Final. In the decisive Game five of the Stanley Cup Final against Philadelphia, Kurri scored the opening goal and added three assists for an 8–3 victory, tying Reggie Leach's record with 19 total playoff goals.
Reader's Guide
Kurri was drafted in the fourth round (69th overall) by Edmonton in 1980 after rumors of a contract with the Finnish federation were proven false. He played his first NHL game on October 10, 1980, against Quebec Nordiques and scored his first goal eight days later versus the New York Islanders. His No. 17 jersey was retired by both the Edmonton Oilers and Jokerit. Internationally, he won a bronze medal with Finland at the 1998 Winter Olympics. After retiring in 1997 following a season with the Colorado Avalanche, he served as general manager of the Finnish national team (2003–2014) and later owned Jokerit from 2019 until selling the team in 2022.
Did You Know?
- Kurri was the first Finnish player to score 500 goals in NHL history, achieving this milestone in 1992.
- He scored five goals in a single game on November 19 against the New Jersey Devils during the 1983–84 season.
- Wayne Gretzky assisted on more than half of Kurri's entire career goal total (364 assists).
- Kurri never played in Italy during his career; his entire professional tenure was spent in the NHL and Finland's SM-liiga.
- He was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history in 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jari Kurri?
He was a Finnish right winger who spent the majority of his career with the Edmonton Oilers starting in 1980. Known for his quick release and consistency, he became one of the league's most prolific scorers during the dynasty era.
How many Stanley Cups did Jari Kurri win?
Kurri won five Stanley Cup championships while playing alongside Wayne Gretzky in Edmonton. This success solidified his legacy as a key member of one of hockey's greatest dynasties.
What is Jari Kurri's career goal record?
He retired after accumulating 601 career goals across seventeen seasons. His scoring achievements made him the first Finnish athlete to ever hit the 500-goal mark.
Did Jari Kurri hold any playoff records?
Yes, he shares the record for most goals scored in a single postseason with 19 during his time with the Oilers. This feat highlights his exceptional performance when it mattered most on the ice.
What individual awards did Jari Kurri win?
In addition to his scoring consistency, he received the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and fair play. He maintained a remarkable streak by scoring over 30 goals in every one of his opening decade seasons within the league.
More in Legendary Players & Coaches
Related in Edmonton Oilers
Links follow this subject's own source article.