January 17, 2004 6:53 AM

Au revoir to a class act

Veteran defenseman's all-time American scorer

USA Hockey congratulates Phil Housley on his retirement following one of the greatest careers by an American in the history of the sport. He was an outstanding player and became a pioneer in U.S. hockey history by making the transition from high school to the National Hockey League.

- USA Hockey executive director Doug Palazzari

Phil Housley Career Statistics

Phil Housley was a high-school hockey legend in Minnesota when I was in college and jumped to the NHL in 1982. If you have any idea of the reputation that Stephon Marbury enjoyed as a schoolboy basketball legend in New York, you'll have an idea of Housley's star power (without the accompanying flash-and-trash) at South St. Paul High School.

Housley jumped straight from Minnesota high school hockey to the NHL, making the transition that is now commonplace but was then groundbreaking. Over 21 seasons, Housley became the ultimate journeyman, the kind of player that every GM and coach wanted and valued for his stability, reliability, and hockey sense. In the life of every athlete, though, the road comes to an end, and Phil Housley recognizes that he has reached the conclusion of a solid career.

The 39-year-old defenseman had 1,232 points on 338 goals and 894 assists in 1,495 games in 21 seasons with Buffalo, Winnipeg, St. Louis, Calgary, New Jersey, Washington, Chicago and Toronto.

The former South St. Paul High School star had hoped to finish his career with the hometown Minnesota Wild.

"They're going in the direction they think is best for the organization, and I respect that," Housley said. "The longer I waited, the less I wanted to play again, and the more I was seeing how much fun I'm having with my family right now."

Housley, who jumped straight from high school to the NHL with the Sabres, helped the United States win the silver medal in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

"I was able to score the winning goal against Russia. I haven't had a bigger thrill in hockey than that," Housley said.

Housley may not have garnered the publicity of Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James, but he was every bit the same type of pioneer (without the Hummer). In making the instant transition from a boy's game to a man's league, Housley paved the way for today's youngsters in the NHL, who are now too numerous to mention.

The man can still play, but Housley has the perspective and maturity to recognize that it's time to move on to the next phase of his life. While he never scored 80 goals or won a Stanley Cup, he was always one of my favorite players for his grit, his determination, and his steadiness on defense. Phil Housley didn't make many mistakes in his 21 seasons, nor was he a flashy player, but I will miss seeing him in an NHL sweater. Au revoir, Monsieur Housley....

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on January 17, 2004 6:53 AM.

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