Dennis Vial
Encyclopedia
Dennis Vial is a retired professional hockey player who played in NHL
with the New York Rangers
, Detroit Red Wings
, and Ottawa Senators
. He played defence and shot left-handed.
in the OHL
for 3 years, Vial was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 6th round, 110th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft
. That year he went back to the OHL and played with the Niagara Falls Thunder
, followed by a year with the Flint Spirits
in the IHL for the 1989–1990 season, scoring 35 points in 79 games and registering 351 penalty minutes. Throughout this time Vial established himself as a hard hitting enforcer and defenceman and got the call up midway through the 1990–1991 season to join the Rangers. He played in 21 games before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings that same season, appearing in another 9 games. Vial then split the next two seasons between the Red Wings and the Adirondack Red Wings
of the AHL
.
Prior to the 1993–1994 season Vial was traded from the Red Wings to the Tampa Bay Lightning
. He was left unprotected in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft
and was picked up by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim a few weeks later. Finally, in Phase II of the Expansion draft Vial was picked up by the Ottawa Senators
, with whom he made his greatest NHL impact. With a Senators' lineup not deep in talent, Vial was able to make the team and play full time, and in 1993-94 he was given the team's Frank Finnigan
Award as its most improved player. He led the Senators in penalty minutes, major penalties, and fighting majors. Known as a fearless combatant, Vial's time in Ottawa was highlighted by a long, intense, and often bloody feud with Rob Ray
of the divisional rival Buffalo Sabres
.
Unfortunately, Vial's aggressive and all-out playing style resulted in many injuries throughout his career and he played in at least half of the games in a season only twice. His last season in the NHL was the 1997–1998 season.
For the next 7 seasons Vial played with a number of minor league teams including two years in England
in the BISL
. He retired following the 2004–2005 season where he played in the UHL with the Missouri River Otters
and Richmond Riverdogs
.
's Sheffield Steelers
, Vial incited a much publicized brawl against the Nottingham Panthers
which resulted in the league handing out several suspensions totaling 28 games and fines worth 8,400 pounds ($18,750). Vial was suspended for six games and fined 750 pounds ($1,675 Cdn) for numerous offences, including instigating the brawl by cross-checking Nottingham's Greg Hadden, and squirting water at fans in the stands.
Britain's Press Association described the event, which escalated into a 36 man bench clearing brawl, as "one of the worst scenes of violence ever seen at a British ice hockey rink."
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...
with the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of 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...
, and Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He played defence and shot left-handed.
Career
After playing with the Hamilton SteelhawksHamilton Steelhawks
The Hamilton Steelhawks were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1984 to 1988. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario, and played at Copps Coliseum.-History:...
in the OHL
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
for 3 years, Vial was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 6th round, 110th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft
1988 NHL Entry Draft
The 1988 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft...
. That year he went back to the OHL and played with the Niagara Falls Thunder
Niagara Falls Thunder
The Niagara Falls Thunder was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1988 to 1996. The team was based in Niagara Falls, Ontario.-History:...
, followed by a year with the Flint Spirits
Flint Spirits
The Flint Spirits were a professional hockey team in Flint, Michigan from 1985–1990, and played their home games at the IMA Sports Arena. They were a part of the International Hockey League, and replaced the recently departed Flint Generals team. They compiled an overall record of 162–220–28...
in the IHL for the 1989–1990 season, scoring 35 points in 79 games and registering 351 penalty minutes. Throughout this time Vial established himself as a hard hitting enforcer and defenceman and got the call up midway through the 1990–1991 season to join the Rangers. He played in 21 games before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings that same season, appearing in another 9 games. Vial then split the next two seasons between the Red Wings and the Adirondack Red Wings
Adirondack Red Wings
The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
of the 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...
.
Prior to the 1993–1994 season Vial was traded from the Red Wings to 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...
. He was left unprotected in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft
1993 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1993 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 24, 1993, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's two expansion teams for the 1993–94 season, the Florida Panthers and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.-Rules:...
and was picked up by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim a few weeks later. Finally, in Phase II of the Expansion draft Vial was picked up by the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, with whom he made his greatest NHL impact. With a Senators' lineup not deep in talent, Vial was able to make the team and play full time, and in 1993-94 he was given the team's Frank Finnigan
Frank Finnigan
Francis Arthur Clarence "The Shawville Express" Finnigan was a Canadian ice hockey professional forward who played in the National Hockey League from 1923 to 1937. During this time, he played for the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St...
Award as its most improved player. He led the Senators in penalty minutes, major penalties, and fighting majors. Known as a fearless combatant, Vial's time in Ottawa was highlighted by a long, intense, and often bloody feud with Rob Ray
Rob Ray
Robert John Ray, nicknamed Rayzor is a Canadian sports broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player. He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League in 1999 for leadership and humanitarianism....
of the divisional rival Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
.
Unfortunately, Vial's aggressive and all-out playing style resulted in many injuries throughout his career and he played in at least half of the games in a season only twice. His last season in the NHL was the 1997–1998 season.
For the next 7 seasons Vial played with a number of minor league teams including two years in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in the BISL
Ice Hockey Superleague
The Ice Hockey Superleague was a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2003. Formed in 1995, it replaced the Premier Division of the British Hockey League, it was the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom...
. He retired following the 2004–2005 season where he played in the UHL with the Missouri River Otters
Missouri River Otters
The now defunct Missouri River Otters was a minor pro team in the United Hockey League from 1999 to 2006. They were located in St. Charles, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Mike Shanahan Jr. was the owner and president when the team ceased operations. Frank Buonomo served as General Manager. They...
and Richmond Riverdogs
Richmond RiverDogs
The Richmond RiverDogs were a professional minor league ice hockey franchise based in Richmond, Virginia. They played at the Richmond Coliseum....
.
British Ice Hockey League Brawl/Suspension
In 2001, while a member of the British Ice Hockey LeagueIce Hockey Superleague
The Ice Hockey Superleague was a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2003. Formed in 1995, it replaced the Premier Division of the British Hockey League, it was the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom...
's Sheffield Steelers
Sheffield Steelers
The Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
, Vial incited a much publicized brawl against the Nottingham Panthers
Nottingham Panthers
The Nottingham Panthers are a British professional ice hockey club based in Nottingham, England. They are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
which resulted in the league handing out several suspensions totaling 28 games and fines worth 8,400 pounds ($18,750). Vial was suspended for six games and fined 750 pounds ($1,675 Cdn) for numerous offences, including instigating the brawl by cross-checking Nottingham's Greg Hadden, and squirting water at fans in the stands.
Britain's Press Association described the event, which escalated into a 36 man bench clearing brawl, as "one of the worst scenes of violence ever seen at a British ice hockey rink."
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 | ||
| 1985–86 1985–86 OHL season The 1985–86 OHL season was the 6th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Guelph Platers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Belleville Bulls.-Final standings:-Scoring leaders:-Division Quarterfinals:... |
Hamilton Steelhawks Hamilton Steelhawks The Hamilton Steelhawks were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1984 to 1988. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario, and played at Copps Coliseum.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
31 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 1986–87 OHL season The 1986–87 OHL season was the 7th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Fifteen teams each played 66 games. The Oshawa Generals won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the North Bay Centennials.-Final standings:-Scoring leaders:... |
Hamilton Steelhawks | OHL | 53 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 194 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 1987–88 | Hamilton Steelhawks | OHL | 52 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 229 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 49 | ||
| 1988–89 | Niagara Falls Thunder Niagara Falls Thunder The Niagara Falls Thunder was a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1988 to 1996. The team was based in Niagara Falls, Ontario.-History:... |
OHL | 50 | 10 | 27 | 37 | 230 | 15 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 44 | ||
| 1989–90 | Flint Spirits Flint Spirits The Flint Spirits were a professional hockey team in Flint, Michigan from 1985–1990, and played their home games at the IMA Sports Arena. They were a part of the International Hockey League, and replaced the recently departed Flint Generals team. They compiled an overall record of 162–220–28... |
IHL | 79 | 6 | 29 | 35 | 351 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 1990–91 1990–91 AHL season The 1990–91 AHL season was the 55th season of the American Hockey League. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Binghamton Rangers Binghamton Rangers The Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:... |
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... |
40 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 250 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
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... |
21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | 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 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 1991–92 AHL season The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... |
AHL | 20 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 107 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 43 | ||
| 1991–92 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 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... |
Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | 30 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 177 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 1992–93 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 55 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 214 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 27 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 65 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 64 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 276 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Chicago Wolves | IHL | 24 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 86 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1997–98 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Chicago Wolves Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois... |
IHL | 55 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 213 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Sheffield Steelers Sheffield Steelers The Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League... |
BISL Ice Hockey Superleague The Ice Hockey Superleague was a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2003. Formed in 1995, it replaced the Premier Division of the British Hockey League, it was the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom... |
26 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 82 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 2000–01 | Sheffield Steelers | BISL | 42 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 171 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 20 | ||
| 2001–02 | Columbia Inferno Columbia Inferno The Columbia Inferno are an ECHL team based in Columbia, South Carolina. The team is currently on voluntary suspension awaiting construction of a new arena in suburban Lexington County. They played their home games at the Carolina Coliseum. They planned on playing in a new arena during the... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
68 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 137 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 2002–03 | Columbia Inferno | ECHL | 69 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 158 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | ||
| 2002–03 | Verdun Dragons Verdun Dragons The Verdun Dragons were a hockey team based in Verdun, Quebec. The team was part of the Ligue nord-américaine de hockey . The Dragons played at the Verdun Auditorium. They won the Futura Cup against the Saint-Georges Garaga in 2003-2004.... |
QSPHL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Columbia Inferno | ECHL | 54 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 101 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | ||
| 2004–05 | Missouri River Otters Missouri River Otters The now defunct Missouri River Otters was a minor pro team in the United Hockey League from 1999 to 2006. They were located in St. Charles, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Mike Shanahan Jr. was the owner and president when the team ceased operations. Frank Buonomo served as General Manager. They... |
UHL | 46 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Richmond Riverdogs Richmond RiverDogs The Richmond RiverDogs were a professional minor league ice hockey franchise based in Richmond, Virginia. They played at the Richmond Coliseum.... |
UHL | 29 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 242 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 794 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||