Jari Kurri

Finnish ice hockey right winger who became the highest-scoring European player in NHL history, winning five Stanley Cups with Edmonton Oilers.

Jari Pekka Kurri was born in Helsinki, Finland in 1960. Edmonton Oilers selected him 69th overall in the 1980 NHL Draft — an extraordinary value pick. He spent the first decade of his career as Wayne Gretzky's primary right winger, winning five Stanley Cup championships (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990). He scored 601 career goals — the most by a European-born player at the time of his retirement. He scored 52 goals in 1984-85, 68 goals in 1985-86 and 54 goals in 1986-87. He won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship in 1985. He was induced into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001 and named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. He is the most successful Finnish player in NHL history and the prototype for the skilled European forward who could thrive in the most offensively dominant team in the history of the game. His combination with Gretzky produced the most productive individual pairing in hockey history.

Kurri was an exceptionally skilled right winger known for his precise shooting, excellent hockey sense, and ability to anticipate plays. He possessed outstanding positioning and timing, making him a perfect complement to Wayne Gretzky's playmaking abilities. His quick release and accurate shot made him a constant scoring threat from anywhere in the offensive zone.

Kurri paved the way for European players in the NHL and demonstrated that Finnish players could excel at the highest level of professional hockey. He remains an icon in Finnish hockey and inspired generations of European players to pursue NHL careers.

• Stanley Cup 5x (1984,1985,1987,1988,1990)
• Lady Byng Trophy
• Hall of Fame (2001)
• NHL 100 Greatest Players

Team Career

Team	Period	GP	Goals
Edmonton Oilers	1980–1990	754	474
Los Angeles Kings	1990–1996	349	140
New York Rangers	1996–1997	82	17
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	1997–1998	50	11
Colorado Avalanche	1998–1998	11	2
Finland	—	58	39