John Tucker (ice hockey)

John Tucker
Born September 29, 1964 (1964-09-29) (age 47)
Windsor, ON, CAN
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for NHL
Buffalo Sabres
Washington Capitals
New York Islanders
Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Draft 31st overall, 1983
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 1983–1996

John G. Tucker (born September 29, 1964 in Windsor, Ontario) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League in the 1980s and 90s, most notably with the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 177 goals and 259 assists in 656 career regular season games and a further 28 points in 31 play-off games. He played several more seasons in Italy and Japan as well.

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Playing career

Tucker was drafted 31st overall by Buffalo in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft[1] having played junior for the Kitchener Rangers where he won the Memorial Cup in 1982.[2] He played for Buffalo from 1983 through 1989. He was acquired by the Washington Capitals on January 5, 1990 for future considerations.[3] Rejoining the Sabres the following season following an off season trade from Washington for cash,[3] he was again traded, this time to the New York Islanders. The following season, Tucker joined A.S. Asiago, scoring 88 points in 36 games.[1] He returned to the NHL in 1992 when he joined expansion franchise Tampa Bay,[4] playing four seasons with the Lightning.

For the 1996–97 season Tucker played again in Italy, but this time in-line hockey for HC Milano 24. He then for the next three seasons played in Japan for Kokudo Keikaku.[5]

Tucker tried out for the role of Sabres color commentator following the retirement of Jim Lorentz, however, the position went to Harry Neale.

Personal life

In 2009 Tucker overcame throat and tongue cancer, following radiation treatment, a disease he developed despite never smoking or chewing tobacco.[6]

Tucker resides in the Odessa, Florida with his wife, Lynn, and their children, Paige and Jack.[6]

He is also very involved in promoting and coaching youth ice hockey in the Tampa Bay area, currently coaching the hockey club asiago, an italian ice hockey team from asiago.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "John G. Tucker". Legends of Hockey.net. http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=11665. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 
  2. ^ "Memorial Cup 1982". Kitchener Rangers.com. http://www.kitchenerrangers.com/main.asp?page_name=/mc_1982.asp?. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 
  3. ^ a b "John Tucker: Right Wing - Notes". Capitals.com. http://capitals.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8451987&view=notes. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 
  4. ^ a b Lee, Steve (2010-03-19). "Junior Lightning Is Rsunner-Up In Nike Bauer International Tournament". Center Ice Magazine. 
  5. ^ "John Tucker". Hockey Reference.com. http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/t/tuckejo01.html. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 
  6. ^ a b Damian Cristodero (2009-10-28). "Former Tampa Bay Lightning star John Tucker cancer free after radiation". St Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article1047511.ece. Retrieved 2010-04-19. 

External links