Mike Krushelnyski

Mike Krushelnyski was a versatile forward who was equally proficient at left wing and centre. He was a good stickhandler with a long each who could score, set up plays and check.

Born in Montreal, "Krusher" excelled with the Montreal junior Canadiens and was selected 120th overall by the Boston Bruins in 1979. The transition to the pros was not a problem as he scored 25 goals in 1980-81 for the Springfield Indians of the AHL. Krushelnyski played post of the next year with the AHL's Erie Blades, scoring 83 points in 62 games and dressing for 17 games in Boston.

Krushelnyski enjoyed a fine rookie season in 1982-83 with 65 points playing with Barry Pederson and Rick Middleton. In the post-season he scored eight goals while helping Boston reach semi-finals. After two more solid years in Beantown he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for Ken Linseman.

He scored 43 goals in 1984-85 playing with Wayne Gretzky and was chosen to participate in the NHL All-Star Game that season. "Krusher" scored 13 points in 18 games while helping the Oilers repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Starting in 1985-86 Krushelnyski settled into a more defensive role on an Oilers squad that was loaded with offensive players. His ability on faceoffs along with strong two-way play was an under-appreciated component of Edmonton's Stanley Cup triumphs in 1987 and 1988.

In August 1988 he was part of the monumental trade to the Los Angeles Kings with Gretzky. Krushelnyski scored 62 points his first year in L.A. before his play dropped off and he was traded to Toronto for John McIntrye early in 1990-91. The Leafs were struggling and hoped Krushelnyski would bring savvy and a winning attitude to the club. He started slowly but ended up playing a solid checking role for Toronto while supplying offence on occasion.

Krushlenyski was on hand to help the Leafs reach the semi-finals in the springs of 1993 and 1994. After this he signed as a free agent with Detroit and played 20 games in 1994-95. The wily veteran spent the 1995-96 season in the AHL then retired after playing two games for the Italian club Milano in 1996-97.