31 Facts About Jari Kurri

1.

Jari Pekka Kurri is a Finnish former professional ice hockey winger and a five-time Stanley Cup champion.

FactSnippet No. 711,873
2.

In 2017 Jari Kurri was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.

FactSnippet No. 711,874
3.

Jari Kurri began his pro career with Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga.

FactSnippet No. 711,875
4.

Jari Kurri remains regarded as one of the greatest "steals" in the history of the NHL draft.

FactSnippet No. 711,876
5.

When Jari Kurri joined the Oilers, he was paired with Wayne Gretzky.

FactSnippet No. 711,877
6.

Jari Kurri was "by far our most complete player", according to Oilers' director of personnel Barry Fraser.

FactSnippet No. 711,878
7.

Jari Kurri scored the Stanley Cup winning goal in game seven against the Philadelphia Flyers in 1987.

FactSnippet No. 711,879
8.

Jari Kurri scored three of the hat tricks against the Blackhawks in the conference finals, a feat that no player has ever equaled.

FactSnippet No. 711,880
9.

Jari Kurri had set up Petr Klima's goal in triple overtime in Game 1.

FactSnippet No. 711,881
10.

Jari Kurri managed to put together 17 points in 24 games during the run, in which the Kings ultimately fell short and lost the series in 5 games.

FactSnippet No. 711,882
11.

Jari Kurri followed the run up with a few more solid seasons as a Los Angeles King, scoring 146 points in 176 games; his decline in scoring was primarily due to his transition into a more defensive minded forward in a somewhat reduced role.

FactSnippet No. 711,883
12.

Jari Kurri played alongside Teemu Selanne, the 1993 winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy who had established himself as one of the top stars in Finland during early success in the NHL.

FactSnippet No. 711,884
13.

Jari Kurri had one memorable moment during his visit to SM-liiga when Jokerit faced their local rivals HIFK.

FactSnippet No. 711,885
14.

Jari Kurri played against his former Oilers-linemate Esa Tikkanen and another Finnish NHL-player, Christian Ruuttu.

FactSnippet No. 711,886
15.

Jari Kurri intended to play alongside Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya, but was ultimately reduced to a smaller role on the second and third lines, despite a newfound confidence from rigorous summer training.

FactSnippet No. 711,887
16.

Jari Kurri has since been bested in goals by Teemu Selanne, and in assists by Nicklas Lidstrom.

FactSnippet No. 711,888
17.

Jari Kurri was the highest ranked non-Canadian in NHL points and goals; the only non-Canadian with more assists at Kurri's retirement was American Phil Housley, since passed by Mike Modano.

FactSnippet No. 711,889
18.

Jari Kurri finished with 106 career playoff goals and 233 playoff points, third all-time behind Gretzky and Messier.

FactSnippet No. 711,890
19.

Jari Kurri is 18th in all-time goals with 601, and was the leading Finn in that department until Selanne passed him in 2010.

FactSnippet No. 711,891
20.

Jari Kurri had a lengthy international career for the Finnish national team.

FactSnippet No. 711,892
21.

Jari Kurri debuted during 1980 Winter Olympics when Finland played in the Olympic ice hockey tournament.

FactSnippet No. 711,893
22.

Jari Kurri scored two goals and an assist in his international debut.

FactSnippet No. 711,894
23.

Jari Kurri was part of Finnish national team during 1981 Canada Cup.

FactSnippet No. 711,895
24.

Jari Kurri had a disappointing performance, with only one assist in five games.

FactSnippet No. 711,896
25.

Jari Kurri formed Finland's top line along with SM-liiga players Reijo Leppanen of TPS and Kari Jalonen of Karpat.

FactSnippet No. 711,897
26.

Jari Kurri was part of the Finnish team at the 1987 Canada Cup and the 1989 World Championships, but Finland was unable to gain success on those tournaments, ranking 6th of 6 and 5th of 8, in those respective tournaments.

FactSnippet No. 711,898
27.

In 1991, Jari Kurri represented Finland at the 1991 World Championships held again in Finland.

FactSnippet No. 711,899
28.

At the 1998 Winter Olympics, Jari Kurri faced Gretzky on ice for the last time, when Finland and Canada played for the Olympic bronze medal in Nagano.

FactSnippet No. 711,900
29.

Jari Kurri scored the first goal of the game, which turned out to be his last goal for the Finnish national team.

FactSnippet No. 711,901
30.

Jari Kurri is GM of the first Finnish KHL league team Jokerit.

FactSnippet No. 711,902
31.

Jari Kurri is married to former Miss Finland, Vanessa Jari Kurri, nee Forsman; they wed in 2004 and have three daughters: Odessa was born on 2002, and Alissa was born on 2005 and and Isla .

FactSnippet No. 711,903