1
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015, recognizing his illustrious playing career.
15 Interesting Facts About Phil Housley
Phil Housley, a Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman, was a prolific American scorer who played 21 NHL seasons and later transitioned to coaching.
Position
Defense, Centre
Jersey
#6
Status
Retired
Teams
10
Facts
15
2
He is the third-leading scorer among American-born players in NHL history, a testament to his offensive skill.
3
He won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.
4
He was drafted sixth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft.
5
He played in 1,495 NHL games, holding the record for games played by an American-born player for nearly seven years.
6
He held the record for most points by an American-born NHL player until Mike Modano surpassed it on November 7, 2007.
7
He was also inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2012.
8
He became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to score 30 goals in a single season.
9
He served as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 until 2019.
10
He set a Buffalo Sabres rookie record with 47 assists in his debut NHL season.
11
He was the first American-born player and first high school player to be selected in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft.
12
He scored an impressive 108 goals in one season as a 10-year-old Squirt-level player.
13
He played center throughout his youth hockey career before switching to defense in high school.
14
He committed to play collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota, but ultimately signed a professional contract with the Sabres instead.
15
He was briefly switched from defense to center during his rookie NHL season in an effort to improve his confidence.
About Phil Housley
Phil Housley was an American defenseman renowned for his offensive prowess, becoming the third-leading scorer among American-born players in NHL history. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015, he played 21 seasons for eight different NHL teams. After his playing career, he transitioned to coaching, including a stint as head coach for the Buffalo Sabres.
Career Achievements & Milestones
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Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
2015
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IIHF Hall of Fame Inductee
2012
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World Cup of Hockey Champion
1996
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NHL All-Rookie Team
1983
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NHL Second All-Star Team
1992
Player Information & Stats
Detailed career statistics and background information about Phil Housley.
Player Info
Country: United States
Position: Defense, Centre
Jersey #: 6
Status: Retired
Age: 61 years old
Physical Stats
Height: 5' 10" (178 cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
Born: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Career Stats
Seasons: 22
Goals: 338
Assists: 894
Points: 1232
Teams: 10
Drafted: 1982
Round: 1st
Hall of Fame: ✓ Inducted
Teams & Career
Buffalo Sabres Winnipeg Jets St. Louis Blues Zürcher SC Calgary Flames New Jersey Devils Washington Capitals Calgary Flames Chicago Blackhawks Toronto Maple Leafs
Phil Housley played for 10 different teams during his 22 seasons career. He was originally drafted 1st overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1982.