Brent Ashton
Encyclopedia
Brent Kenneth Ashton is a retired professional ice hockey
player who spent fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League
between 1979 and 1993. Despite being a fine goalscoring winger, he was known during his career for being the most-traded player in the history of the NHL, a record since tied by Mike Sillinger
.
and following a 119 point season in 1978–79 was selected in the second round (26th overall) of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft
by the Vancouver Canucks
. He stepped straight into the Canucks' lineup at the age of 19 in 1979–80. Although he tied an NHL rookie record with a 4–assist game against the Atlanta Flames
, he was used sparingly and finished the year with 5 goals and 19 points in 47 games. In 1980–81, he improved to 18 goals and 29 points, but at the conclusion of the season was traded to the Colorado Rockies
in a three-way deal.
In Colorado, Ashton received more icetime and responded in fine style, leading the Rockies with 36 assists and 64 points in 1981–82. For 1982–83, the franchise moved to New Jersey and became the New Jersey Devils
, and Ashton slumped to just 14 goals and 33 points in 76 games.
Ashton was dealt to the Minnesota North Stars
for the 1982–83 campaign, but struggled to get icetime on a deep North Star squad, and suffered through the worst season of his career, finishing with just 7 goals and 17 points. He was again struggling to start the 1983–84 season with just 4 goals through 29 games, but a trade to the Quebec Nordiques
would rejuvenate his career. In 49 games after the trade to Quebec, Ashton exploded offensively with 27 goals and 51 points, finishing the year with a career-high 31 goals. He would turn in another solid season in 1984–85, finishing with 26 goals and 58 points.
Ashton would get off to a blistering start to the 1985–86 campaign, with 25 goals through 46 games, but in what would become the story of his career was traded mid-season to the Detroit Red Wings
despite recording 78 goals in just 172 games as a Nordique. Ashton continued to score frequently in Detroit, finishing the season with a career-high 40 goals and 75 points, and added 13 points in 16 playoff games as the Red Wings reached the Campbell Conference finals. In 1987–88, he turned in a respectable 26 goals and 53 points and had another strong playoff performance with 7 goals and 12 points in 16 games as Detroit again reached the conference finals.
For the 1988–89 season, Ashton was on the move again, this time to the Winnipeg Jets. He turned in 31 goals - his 5th straight year with at least 25 goals - and a career-high 37 assists for 68 points, and at the conclusion of the season helped Canada to a silver medal at the 1989 World Championships.
Ashton would have the longest stay of his NHL career in Winnipeg, spending three full seasons with the Jets. He turned in another 20 goal season in 1989–90, but as he moved into his 30s injuries took their toll and his production began to fall off. After a poor start to the 1991–92 season, he was dealt to the Boston Bruins
, where he rebounded to finish with 18 goals and 40 points. However, the following year he would struggle with just 2 goals in 26 games for the Bruins and was assigned to the minors for the first time in his 14-year career. He was eventually traded to the Calgary Flames
, and finished out the year strongly with 19 points in 32 games as a Flame.
Unable to get an NHL contract for the 1993–94 campaign, Ashton signed with the Las Vegas Thunder
of the International Hockey League and was playing well until suffering a career-ending knee injury in November. The injury occurred just as he was about to sign with the Los Angeles Kings
, who would have been his 10th NHL team.
In 998 career NHL games, Ashton scored 284 goals and added 345 assists for 629 points, along with 635 penalty minutes. He was traded an NHL-record 9 times during his career.
Following his career, Ashton returned to his hometown of Saskatoon where he operates Brent Ashton Sportswear, as well as coaches minor hockey. His brother Ron Ashton
was also a professional hockey player, appearing for the Winnipeg Jets during their WHA
incarnation, and his son Carter Ashton
, was drafted in the first round in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
by the Tampa Bay Lightning
.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who spent fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
between 1979 and 1993. Despite being a fine goalscoring winger, he was known during his career for being the most-traded player in the history of the NHL, a record since tied by Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger is the current Director of Player Development for the Edmonton Oilers, and a retired Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for 17 seasons...
.
Playing career
Ashton played his junior hockey for his hometown Saskatoon BladesSaskatoon Blades
The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:...
and following a 119 point season in 1978–79 was selected in the second round (26th overall) of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft
1979 NHL Entry Draft
The 1979 NHL Entry Draft took place on August 9, 1979, at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League teams selected 126 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1978–79 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those...
by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. He stepped straight into the Canucks' lineup at the age of 19 in 1979–80. Although he tied an NHL rookie record with a 4–assist game against the Atlanta Flames
Atlanta Flames
The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from 1972 to 1980. The team, a member of the National Hockey League , was relocated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the start of the 1980–81 NHL season and were re-named the Calgary Flames. The NHL returned to the...
, he was used sparingly and finished the year with 5 goals and 19 points in 47 games. In 1980–81, he improved to 18 goals and 29 points, but at the conclusion of the season was traded to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies (NHL)
The Colorado Rockies were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League that played in Denver, Colorado, from 1976 to 1982. They were a relocation of the Kansas City Scouts, a 1974 expansion team. The franchise moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1982 and was...
in a three-way deal.
In Colorado, Ashton received more icetime and responded in fine style, leading the Rockies with 36 assists and 64 points in 1981–82. For 1982–83, the franchise moved to New Jersey and became the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and Ashton slumped to just 14 goals and 33 points in 76 games.
Ashton was dealt to the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
for the 1982–83 campaign, but struggled to get icetime on a deep North Star squad, and suffered through the worst season of his career, finishing with just 7 goals and 17 points. He was again struggling to start the 1983–84 season with just 4 goals through 29 games, but a trade to the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
would rejuvenate his career. In 49 games after the trade to Quebec, Ashton exploded offensively with 27 goals and 51 points, finishing the year with a career-high 31 goals. He would turn in another solid season in 1984–85, finishing with 26 goals and 58 points.
Ashton would get off to a blistering start to the 1985–86 campaign, with 25 goals through 46 games, but in what would become the story of his career was traded mid-season to the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
despite recording 78 goals in just 172 games as a Nordique. Ashton continued to score frequently in Detroit, finishing the season with a career-high 40 goals and 75 points, and added 13 points in 16 playoff games as the Red Wings reached the Campbell Conference finals. In 1987–88, he turned in a respectable 26 goals and 53 points and had another strong playoff performance with 7 goals and 12 points in 16 games as Detroit again reached the conference finals.
For the 1988–89 season, Ashton was on the move again, this time to the Winnipeg Jets. He turned in 31 goals - his 5th straight year with at least 25 goals - and a career-high 37 assists for 68 points, and at the conclusion of the season helped Canada to a silver medal at the 1989 World Championships.
Ashton would have the longest stay of his NHL career in Winnipeg, spending three full seasons with the Jets. He turned in another 20 goal season in 1989–90, but as he moved into his 30s injuries took their toll and his production began to fall off. After a poor start to the 1991–92 season, he was dealt to the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
, where he rebounded to finish with 18 goals and 40 points. However, the following year he would struggle with just 2 goals in 26 games for the Bruins and was assigned to the minors for the first time in his 14-year career. He was eventually traded to the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, and finished out the year strongly with 19 points in 32 games as a Flame.
Unable to get an NHL contract for the 1993–94 campaign, Ashton signed with the Las Vegas Thunder
Las Vegas Thunder
The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999...
of the International Hockey League and was playing well until suffering a career-ending knee injury in November. The injury occurred just as he was about to sign with the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, who would have been his 10th NHL team.
In 998 career NHL games, Ashton scored 284 goals and added 345 assists for 629 points, along with 635 penalty minutes. He was traded an NHL-record 9 times during his career.
Following his career, Ashton returned to his hometown of Saskatoon where he operates Brent Ashton Sportswear, as well as coaches minor hockey. His brother Ron Ashton
Ron Ashton
Ron Ashton is a former WHA left winger for the Winnipeg Jets. He played 36 games and registering 4 points.-External links:...
was also a professional hockey player, appearing for the Winnipeg Jets during their WHA
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
incarnation, and his son Carter Ashton
Carter Ashton
Carter Ashton is a Canadian ice hockey player who was drafted 29th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Ashton plays for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League .-Junior hockey:...
, was drafted in the first round in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
by the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1975–76 | Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:... |
WCHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
11 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | ||
| 1976–77 | Saskatoon Blades | WCHL | 54 | 26 | 25 | 51 | 84 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 15 | ||
| 1977–78 | Saskatoon Blades | WCHL | 46 | 38 | 26 | 64 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 62 | 64 | 55 | 119 | 80 | 11 | 14 | 4 | 18 | 5 | ||
| 1979–80 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
47 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 1980–81 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 18 | 11 | 29 | 57 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1981–82 | Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies (NHL) The Colorado Rockies were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League that played in Denver, Colorado, from 1976 to 1982. They were a relocation of the Kansas City Scouts, a 1974 expansion team. The franchise moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1982 and was... |
NHL | 80 | 24 | 36 | 60 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 76 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... |
NHL | 68 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 54 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 22 | ||
| 1984–85 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 29 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 49 | 27 | 24 | 51 | 38 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 13 | ||
| 1985–86 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 77 | 26 | 32 | 58 | 64 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | ||
| 1986–87 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 46 | 25 | 19 | 44 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL | 35 | 15 | 16 | 31 | 22 | 16 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 6 | ||
| 1987–88 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 73 | 26 | 27 | 53 | 50 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 10 | ||
| 1988–89 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 75 | 31 | 37 | 68 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 79 | 22 | 34 | 56 | 37 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 1990–91 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 61 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL | 61 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 AHL season The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day... |
Providence Bruins Providence Bruins The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
11 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 26 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL | 32 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 41 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1993–94 | Las Vegas Thunder Las Vegas Thunder The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999... |
IHL | 16 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 998 | 284 | 345 | 629 | 635 | 85 | 24 | 25 | 49 | 72 | ||||