Ken Linseman

At 66 years old, Ken Linseman has this physical status:

Kenneth S. "The Rat" Linseman (born August 11, 1958) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey center who played 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

He also played for the Birmingham Bulls in the World Hockey Association for a season.

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Playing career

Linseman spent his entire junior career with the Kingston Canadians of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League from 1974–77. He played in 187 games, scoring 286 points (133 goals-153 assists). In 25 playoff games, he also scored 33 points (16G-17A).

Linseman and his partner Art Kaminsky also sued the WHA in United States District Court for a league rule banning teenage players from participating in the league, which the judge found in violation of anti-trust law. Linseman was drafted by the WHA in the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft and spent 1977–78 with the Bulls, scoring 76 points (38G-38A) in 71 games and adding 4 points (2G-2A) in five playoff games. He was then drafted by the Flyers as their first-round pick, 7th overall pick in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft.

Linseman played for the Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League, scoring 39 points (17G-22A) in 38 games before being called up by the Flyers in 1978-1979. He finished the season in Philadelphia, scoring 25 points (5G-20A) in 30 games and then added 8 points (2G-6A) in eight post-season games. Linseman played for the Flyers for the entire 1979-80 season, winning 79 points (22G-57A) in 80 games before then adding 22 points (4G-18A) in 17 playoff games. Linseman was limited to 51 games (1980-81), receiving 47 points (17G-30A), and he had 20 points (4G-16A) in 12 playoff games. Linseman's career had a record-breaking 92 points (24G-68A) in 79 games, as well as 275 PIM, which was the seventh highest in the NHL. Linseman scored 3 points in four playoff games (1G-2A). Linseman, along with Greg Adams and Philadelphia's first and third round picks in 1983, was traded to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for Mark Howe and Hartford's third-round pick in 1983. The Whalers then traded Linseman to the Edmonton Oilers with Don Nachbaur for Risto Siltanen and Brent Loney.

Linseman earned the nickname "The Rat" both by his appearance and how he performed. He had a natural knack for agitating the opposing team to a point of rage, causing them to forfeit penalties. He was once charged with kicking a player in the head with his skates.

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Linseman, a 1982-1983 Oiler, scored 75 points (33G-42A) in 72 games and aided the Oilers to the Stanley Cup finals with 14 points (6G-8A) in 16 post-season games. Linseman had 67 points (18G-49A) in 75 games in 1983-84, and he helped the Oilers win the Stanley Cup by a score of 14 points (10G-4A) in 19 games. Since being tied by Martin Gélinas of the Calgary Flames in 2004, he set a new NHL record of three series clinching goals. Linseman, who had won the Stanley Cup, found himself on the move when the Oilers traded him to the Boston Bruins for Mike Krushelnyski on June 21, 1984.

Linseman had a good 1984-85 season (25G-49A) in 74 games and had 74 points (55G-49A), as well as ten points (4G-6A) in five playoff games. Linseman played in 64 games between 1985 and 1986, but he scored 81 points (23G-58A) and had 1 assist in three playoff games. His output dropped in 1986–87, when he was barred from 64 games, receiving 49 points (15G-34A), and in four playoff games, he had 2 points (1G-1A). Linseman was healthy again in 1987–88, and saw his point total increase (29G-45A) in 77 games, leading to the Stanley Cup Finals, receiving 25 points (11G-14A) in 23 playoff games. Linseman had a good 1988-89 season, winning 72 points (27G-45A) in 78 games, but he was unable to participate in any playoff games due to a late season injury. Linseman started the season with Boston in 1989-1990, scoring in 32 games and receiving 22 points (6G-16A). In exchange for Dave Poulin, he was traded to the Flyers on January 16, 1990. Linseman then appeared in 29 games with the Flyers, receiving 14 points (5G-9A) as the team lost to make the playoffs.

Linseman signed as a free agent with the Oilers on August 31, 1990, scoring 36 points (7G-29A) in 56 games, as well as two assists in two playoff games. Linseman was traded by the Oilers to the Maple Leafs for cash on October 7, 1991; however, Linseman spent only two games with Toronto, receiving no points. He was released by the Leafs and spent 5 games with HC Asiago, scoring 6 points (3G-3A) in 5 games and then 7 points (3G-4A) in 6 playoff games. Linseman hung his skates up and retired after the 1991–92 season.

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Awards and achievements

• Stanley Cup champion – 1984
• OMJHL Second Team All-Star – 1977