Ronald Stern (born January 11, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for 12 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks.

Ronnie Stern
Born (1967-01-11) January 11, 1967 (age 57)
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, Canada
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
PositionRight Wing
ShotRight
Played forVancouver Canucks
Calgary Flames
San Jose Sharks
NHL draft70th overall, 1986
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career1987–2000

Playing career edit

Stern was born in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, Canada, and is Jewish.[1][2][3][4] He played for 3 years in the QMJHL with the Longueuil Chevaliers, establishing himself as an enforcer with a scoring touch. His strong play led him to be drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 4th round, 70th overall, in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.[4]

After being drafted by the Canucks, Stern returned to the Chevaliers for one final year before turning pro for the 1987–88 season. That year he played the majority of the season with the Flint Spirits of the IHL, appearing in 55 games and registering 294 Penalty Minutes. He also made his debut with the Canucks, playing in 15 games. The next three years saw Stern bounce between the Canucks and their minor league affiliate Milwaukee Admirals.[5]

At the trade deadline near the end of the 1990–1991 season Stern was traded from the Canucks to the Calgary Flames in a deal for Dana Murzyn. In Calgary, Stern established himself as a full-time NHLer, and earned a reputation as a feared fighter amongst fellow NHL heavyweights at six feet and more than 200 pounds.[4] Stern played the majority of his NHL career with the Flames, spending 6 years with the team and enjoying his best success in the NHL. He set career highs with 13 goals in the 1991–92 campaign, and with 29 points in 1993–94.[5]

Stern missed the entire 1997–1998 season recovering from knee surgery but was signed by the San Jose Sharks upon recovery. He played two seasons with the Sharks before retiring in 2000.[4] He scored the first goal in Game 7 of the Sharks upset over the top seed St. Louis Blues in 2000.

As of April 5, 2007, Stern ranked 44th all-time in NHL penalty minutes with 2077 PIM. Over the course of his career, he registered 75 goals and 86 assists for 161 points in 638 NHL games.[5]

Stern is also cousins with American hockey player, Will Hershon.

Career statistics edit

  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1983–84Laval LaurentidesQAAA3966123260224
1984–85Longueuil ChevaliersQMJHL6861420176
1985–86Longueuil ChevaliersQMJHL70393372319
1986–87Longueuil ChevaliersQMJHL56323971266191192055
1986–87Longueuil ChevaliersM-Cup410169
1987–88Vancouver CanucksNHL1500052
1987–88Fredericton ExpressAHL21014
1987–88Flint SpiritsIHL5514193329416881694
1988–89Vancouver CanucksNHL1710149301117
1988–89Milwaukee AdmiralsIHL45192342280510111
1989–90Vancouver CanucksNHL34235208
1989–90Milwaukee AdmiralsIHL268917165
1990–91Vancouver CanucksNHL31235171
1990–91Milwaukee AdmiralsIHL722481
1990–91Calgary FlamesNHL1313469713414
1991–92Calgary FlamesNHL7213922338
1992–93Calgary FlamesNHL70101525207600043
1993–94Calgary FlamesNHL7192029243720212
1994–95Calgary FlamesNHL39941316373148
1995–96Calgary FlamesNHL521051511140228
1996–97Calgary FlamesNHL7971017157
1998–99San Jose SharksNHL78791615860006
1999–2000San Jose SharksNHL67459151310111
NHL totals63875861612,077437714119

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Oy!Chicago - An Interview with Former Jewish Blackhawk, Steve Dubinsky
  2. ^ The Big Book of Jewish Sports Heroes: An Illustrated Compendium of Sports ... - Peter S. Horvitz
  3. ^ Day by Day in Jewish Sports History - Bob Wechsler
  4. ^ a b c d The 100 Greatest Jews in Sports: Ranked According to Achievement - B. P. Robert Stephen Silverman
  5. ^ a b c "Ronnie Stern Stats and Profile". hockeydb.com.

External links edit