Ken Linseman

Ken Linseman
Linseman in 2011
Born	(1958-08-11) August 11, 1958 (age 66) Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Birmingham Bulls Philadelphia Flyers Edmonton Oilers Boston Bruins Toronto Maple Leafs
National team	Canada
NHL draft	7th overall, 1978 Philadelphia Flyers
WHA draft	83rd overall, 1977 Birmingham Bulls
Playing career	1977–1992

Kenneth S. "The Rat" Linseman (born August 11, 1958) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played one season in the World Hockey Association for the Birmingham Bulls. He featured in four Stanley Cup Finals, notably winning the 1984 Stanley Cup with the Oilers.

Linseman picked up the nickname "The Rat" both by his appearance and the way he played. He had a great talent for agitating the opposing team to a high level of frustration, leading them to take penalties. During his junior career, he was once charged for kicking a player in the head with his skates.^[1]

Linseman spent his entire junior career with the

from 1974–77. He played in 187 games, scoring 286 points (133 goals-153 assists). He also added 33 points (16G-17A) in 25 playoff games.

Prior to the 1977 WHA draft, Linseman and his agent Art Kaminsky sued the WHA in United States District Court for a league rule preventing teenage players from playing in the league, which the court ruled violated anti-trust laws.

.

Linseman began the 1978–79 season with the

and Brent Loney.

With the Oilers in 1982–83, Linseman had 75 points (33G-42A) in 72 games, and helped the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals with 14 points (6G-8A) in 16 post-season games, although his team was swept by the New York Islanders. In 1983–84, Linseman had 67 points (18G-49A) in 75 games, and helped the Oilers win the Stanley Cup with 14 points (10G-4A) in 19 games, winning the Finals rematch against the Islanders. In the 1984 playoffs, he scored an NHL record three series-clinching goals, since tied by Martin Gélinas of the Calgary Flames in 2004. After winning the Stanley Cup, Linseman found himself on the move as the Oilers dealt him to the Boston Bruins for Mike Krushelnyski on June 21, 1984.

Linseman had a solid 1984–85 season, with 74 points (25G-49A) in 74 games, and added 10 points (4G-6A) in five playoff games. Injuries held Linseman to 64 games in 1985–86, but he scored 81 points (23G-58A), and in three playoff games, had one assist. His production fell in 1986–87, as he was held again to 64 games, getting 49 points (15G-34A), and in four playoff games, had 2 points (1G-1A). In 1987–88, Linseman was healthy again, and saw his point total increase, getting 74 points (29G-45A) in 77 games, and helped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals, earning 25 points (11G-14A) in 23 playoff games, losing to the Oilers. Linseman had a productive 1988–89 season, as he got 72 points (27G-45A) in 78 games; however, a late season injury prevented him from playing in any playoff games. In 1989–90, Linseman began the season with Boston, playing in 32 games and getting 22 points (6G-16A). He was traded to the Flyers on January 16, 1990 in exchange for Dave Poulin. Linseman then played 29 games with the Flyers, getting 14 points (5G-9A) as the team failed to make the playoffs.

On August 31, 1990, Linseman signed as a free agent with the Oilers and spent the

, getting six points (3G-3A) in five games, then seven points (3G-4A) in six playoff games. After the 1991–92 season, Linseman hung his skates up and retired.

• Stanley Cup champion – 1984
• OMJHL Second Team All-Star – 1977
• Named One of the Top 100 Best Bruins Players of all Time.^[3]

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1974–75	Kingston Canadians	OMJHL		59	19	28	47	70		8	2	5	7	8
1975–76	Kingston Canadians	OMJHL		65	61	51	112	92		7	5	0	5	18
1976–77	Kingston Canadians	OMJHL		63	53	74	127	210		10	9	12	21	54
1977–78	Birmingham Bulls	WHA		71	38	38	76	126		5	2	2	4	15
1978–79	Maine Mariners	AHL		38	17	23	40	106		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		30	5	20	25	23		8	2	6	8	22
1979–80	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		80	22	57	79	107		17	4	18	22	40
1980–81	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		51	17	30	47	150		12	4	16	20	67
1981–82	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		79	24	68	92	275		4	1	2	3	6
1982–83	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		72	33	42	75	181		16	6	8	14	22
1983–84	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		72	18	49	67	119		19	10	4	14	65
1984–85	Boston Bruins	NHL		74	25	49	74	126		5	4	6	10	8
1985–86	Boston Bruins	NHL		64	23	58	81	97		3	0	1	1	17
1986–87	Boston Bruins	NHL		64	15	34	49	126		4	1	1	2	22
1987–88	Boston Bruins	NHL		77	29	45	74	167		23	11	14	25	56
1988–89	Boston Bruins	NHL		78	27	45	72	164		—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	Boston Bruins	NHL		32	6	16	22	66		—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		29	5	9	14	30		—	—	—	—	—
1990–91	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		56	7	29	36	94		2	0	1	1	0
1991–92	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		2	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	HC Asiago	ITA		5	3	3	6	4		7	3	4	7	47
NHL totals				860	256	551	807	1,727		113	43	77	120	325

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1981	Canada	CC		4	0	1	1	4

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

Preceded by Behn Wilson

1978

Succeeded by Danny Lucas