Career Vitals

Career NHL Statistics

Teams: Montreal, Minnesota, N.Y. Islanders, Winnipeg
Years: 1968-1980. Playoffs: 1971-1978

Career Highlights

Played nine regular-season games for 1968-69 Montreal team that went on to win Stanley Cup, but was not with team in postseason and did not have name engraved on Cup. ... Played on Montreal team that won AHL regular-season title. ... Set AHL record (since broken) for points by a rookie with 106 for Montreal Voyageurs in 1969-70. ... Led AHL with 69 assists and 106 points with Montreal Voyageurs in 1969-70. .... Won AHL Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as Rookie of the Year and AHL John B. Sollenberger Trophy as league's top scorer (106 points) with Montreal in 1969-70. ... Named to AHL All-Star First Team with Montreal in 1969-70. ... Set NHL rookie record (since broken) and Minnesota-Dallas franchise rookie record with 15-game point streak for Minnesota during 1970-71 season. ... Set NHL and Minnesota-Dallas records (both since broken) for assists by a rookie with 52 for Minnesota in 1970-71. ... Was runner-up to Gilbert Perreault in final voting for the 1970-71 Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of Year. ... Named NHL West Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News in 1970-71. ... Led Minnesota with 279 shots on goal in 1972-73. ...Tied for NHL lead with 12 assists in 1975 playoffs. ... Led N.Y. Islanders in assists (12) and playoff points (18) during 1975 playoffs. ... Scored hat trick for N.Y. Islanders in Jan. 6, 1976, game vs. Kansas City. ... Led N.Y. Islanders in goals (6) during 1976 playoffs. ... Set N.Y. Islanders record (since broken) for fastest two playoff goals by one player by scoring twice in span of 2:45 vs. Buffalo on April 15, 1977. ... Played on first Winnipeg Jets NHL team in 1979-80 and played in Jets' first NHL game at Pittsburgh on Oct. 10, 1979. ... Scored winning goal in Winnipeg's first NHL victory on Oct. 14, 1979, vs. Colorado. ... Served as Winnipeg player-assistant coach during 1980-81 season when his playing time was limited.

Transaction History

May 22, 1970 -- Traded by Montreal to Minnesota in exchange for future considerations (Bill Collins on June 10, 1970). Jan. 7, 1975 -- Traded by Minnesota to N.Y. Islanders in exchange for Craig Cameron. Sept. 5, 1979 -- Signed with Winnipeg as an unrestricted free agent after sitting out the entire 1978-79 season to gain unrestricted free agency from N.Y. Islanders.

The Lost Season

In June 1978, Drouin announced that he would not sign a new contract to return to the New York Islanders for the 1978-79 season. He was unhappy after a 1977-78 season in which he had been scratched for more than 20 games and was limited to a career-low of 22 points. Drouin and his agent had no contact with the Islanders after his contract expired, and in July the team said it would not make him any contract offer -- enabling him to be a restricted free agent -- subject to compensation -- at age 29. However, when he had no immediate success finding a new team, and given the concern that a team that signed him might still owe the Islanders some form of compensation in that first year, Drouin opted to retire for 1978-79 and focus on his business interests in Long Island. He eventually returned to the NHL for two more seasons when he earned a job with Winnipeg out of training camp in 1979.

Significant Injuries

Missed part of 1971-72 season with separated shoulder. ... Missed part of 1973-74 season with knee injury. ... Missed part of 1975-76 season with concussion.

Life Outside the NHL

Full Name: Joseph Jude Drouin

Other Post-Draft Teams: Montreal (OHA); Houston (CHL); Montreal (AHL)

Broadcasting Career: Named Vancouver Canucks radio color commentator prior to 1982-83 season and remained in that position through 1986-87 season.

Career Beyond Hockey: Owned a chain of seafood restaurants on Long Island.

Miscellaneous:

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