Grant Fuhr’s Rare Two-Assist Period Fuels Record-Setting 1983-84 Season

During the high-flying 1983-84 NHL season, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Grant Fuhr etched his name into the record books in a way few netminders ever have. That year, Fuhr set what remains the NHL record for most points by a goaltender in a single season, finishing with 14, all assists.

One of the most memorable moments of that historic campaign came on November 6, 1983, when Fuhr recorded two assists in the same period during a wild Oilers road game against the Winnipeg Jets at Winnipeg Arena.

In true 1980s fashion, defense was optional. A total of 13 goals were scored, with Edmonton skating away with an 8-5 victory.

Despite the final score, Winnipeg actually held a 5-4 lead deep into the third period. At 12:39 of the frame, Wayne Gretzky tied the game with his 18th goal of the season, assisted by Jari Kurri and Grant Fuhr, who earned his first helper of the night.

The decisive moment came in dramatic fashion. With just eight seconds remaining in regulation, Gretzky struck again, this time with assists going to Fuhr and defenseman Randy Gregg. The goal sealed the win and gave Fuhr two assists in the same period, a rare feat for a goaltender in any era.

Fuhr’s night wasn’t limited to offense. He also stopped 28 of 33 shots and even picked up a high-sticking minor penalty in the second period. Gretzky dominated the scoresheet, finishing with four goals and three assists for a seven-point performance. Winnipeg goaltender Doug Soetaert made 28 saves in the loss.

By season’s end, Fuhr’s 14 assists shattered the previous NHL record of eight, set by Mike Palmateer with the Washington Capitals just three years earlier. Before Palmateer, the mark had belonged to Gilles Meloche, who recorded six assists with the California Golden Seals in 1974-75. Interestingly, two of those six were in a single period. More on that game here: Gilles Meloche 2 Assist Period.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Edmonton Oilers Retired Numbers

The Edmonton Oilers began as the Alberta Oilers in the World Hockey Association. The Oilers played in the WHA from 1972-73 until 1978-79. Edmonton was one of four WHA teams to merge into the NHL for the 1979-80 season as the WHA came to an end.

In all, the Oilers have retired seven numbers. Test and expand your knowledge of Edmonton Oilers retired jersey numbers with these trivia questions.

Q. Number 3 is retired by the Edmonton Oilers for which original Oiler?

A. Al Hamilton was with the Oilers for each of their seasons in the WHA and served as the team’s first captain. Hamilton played in the NHL from 1965-66 to 1971-72 with the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres then played one more season in 1979-80 with the Oilers before retiring.

Although a native of the hockey rich Flin Flon, Manitoba, Hamilton played much of his junior career with the Edmonton Oil Kings. He competed in three consecutive Memorial Cup finals, winning with the Oil Kings in 1965-66, his final year of junior.

Al served as team captain of the Oilers from their inception in 1972-73 until 1975-76. He also played three games for Team Canada in the WHA version of the Summit Series in 1974.

Hamilton is the only one of the seven to have their numbers retired by Edmonton to not have a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He is also the only one of the seven to not have won a Stanley Cup with the Oilers.

Q. The Oilers retired number 7 in honour of what player?

A. Paul Coffey played with Edmonton from 1980-81 to 1986-87. Coffey’s NHL career lasted until 2000-01 and he played for Edmonton, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins. Paul was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

Q. Which Oiler is the number 17 retired in honour of?

A. Jari Kurri played for the Oilers from 1980-81 to 1989-90. His NHL career concluded after the 1997-98 season after also playing for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Colorado Avalanche. Kurri had seasons of 71 and 68 goals with the Oilers and his final regular season NHL total was 601. Jari was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

Kurri came to the NHL already a seasoned pro. He played three years with Jokerit in Finland's SM-Liiga before joining the Oilers in 1980-81. Before the European invasion, Kurri was a lowly fourth round pick by Edmonton at he 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 69^th overall. He is now the general manager of Jokerit with the team now playing in the KHL.

On the international stage, Jari has played at two Olympic Games for Finland. His first was in 1980, before he reached the NHL. His last was in 1998, during his final year in the NHL. Because Kurri always found himself on successful teams in North America, he was only able to play at the IIHF World Championships on four occasions.

Q. What goaltender has his number 31 retired by the Edmonton Oilers?

A. Grant Fuhr played between the pipes in an Oilers uniform from 1981-82 to 1990-91. He played until the end of the 1999-00 season with Edmonton, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames. Fuhr has his name on the Stanley Cup five times and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

A true goalie from the 1980's and 1990's, Fuhr got into the HHOF with a career NHL goals against average of 3.38 and a save percentage of .887. Those numbers would get a goalie dropped to the ECHL in today's game.

Like Al Hamilton, Grant reached the Memorial Cup as a junior. With the Victoria Cougars in 1980-81, Fuhr helped the team to the tournament but it was the Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL beating out the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL in the final game.