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Ray Ferraro scored 108 goals in the 1983-1984 regular season for the Brandon Wheat Kings. Source: https://x.com/rayferraro21/status/1199784545421103104 (May be subject to copyright) |
In the case of Ray Ferraro, I think back to a game breaker in junior, with what bordered on super human stats, who turned into a solid NHL player.
Junior sensation
The first time I ever heard the name Ray Ferraro, he was lighting up the Western Hockey League. He was playing with the Portland Winter Hawks who were battling with my beloved Lethbridge Broncos for the league championship in the 1982-1983 season. He ended up playing in 50 games, scoring 41 goals and adding 49 assists for 90 points. The Broncos beat the Winter Hawks in the league championship series but, because Portland was hosting the Memorial Cup, both teams advanced to the championship tournament. In 14 playoff games, Ferraro had 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points. Portland would ultimately win the Memorial Cup, where Ferraro had one goal and two assists for three points in four games.
The first time I ever heard the name Ray Ferraro, he was lighting up the Western Hockey League. He was playing with the Portland Winter Hawks who were battling with my beloved Lethbridge Broncos for the league championship in the 1982-1983 season. He ended up playing in 50 games, scoring 41 goals and adding 49 assists for 90 points. The Broncos beat the Winter Hawks in the league championship series but, because Portland was hosting the Memorial Cup, both teams advanced to the championship tournament. In 14 playoff games, Ferraro had 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points. Portland would ultimately win the Memorial Cup, where Ferraro had one goal and two assists for three points in four games.
He was traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings before the start of the 1983-1984 season, and it would be one for the record books. Ferraro scored a league record 108 goals and had 84 assists for 192 points in 72 games. He added 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 11 playoff games.
I always wondered why he was not taken higher than 88th overall, but that was in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, before he had his big seasons.
I always wondered why he was not taken higher than 88th overall, but that was in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, before he had his big seasons.
Whaler nation
It was the Hartford Whalers who drafted Ray Ferraro in 1982. He turned pro for the 1984-1985 season, splitting time between the Whalers and Binghampton, their American Hockey League affiliate. In 37 games in Binghampton, he had 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points. He also had 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 44 games for Hartford.
It was the Hartford Whalers who drafted Ray Ferraro in 1982. He turned pro for the 1984-1985 season, splitting time between the Whalers and Binghampton, their American Hockey League affiliate. In 37 games in Binghampton, he had 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points. He also had 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 44 games for Hartford.
That would be the last time he spent any time in Binghampton, playing the rest of the decade with the Whalers.
In 1985-1986, his first full season with the Whalers, Ferraro appeared in 76 games, scoring 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points. He also had three goals and six assists for nine points in 10 playoff games.
The following year, the 1986-1987 season, Ferraro scored 27 goals and 32 assists for 59 points in 80 games, and added one goal and one assist for two points in six playoff games.
In the 1987-1988 season, he played 68 games, tallying 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points, and again had a goal and an assist for two points in six playoff games.
Ferraro scored a career-high 41 goals in the 1988-1989 season, to go with 35 assists for 76 points in 80 games, and added two goals in four playoff games.
He closed out the decade in the 1989-1990 season with 25 goals and 29 assists for 54 points in 79 games, and added three assists in seven playoff games.
The years after
Ray Ferraro would be traded to the New York Islanders the next season where he would have some of his best years, including an all-star selection in 1992. His time with the Islanders also included a stellar 1993 playoff run where the Islanders upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins and advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup semi-final before falling to the eventual champion Montreal Canadiens. Ferraro led the Islanders with 13 goals and 20 points.
Ray Ferraro would be traded to the New York Islanders the next season where he would have some of his best years, including an all-star selection in 1992. His time with the Islanders also included a stellar 1993 playoff run where the Islanders upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins and advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup semi-final before falling to the eventual champion Montreal Canadiens. Ferraro led the Islanders with 13 goals and 20 points.
He would also play with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, and St. Louis Blues before retiring after the 2001-2002 season.
His career NHL totals are 408 goals and 490 assists for 898 points in 1,258 games. He also scored 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in 68 playoff games.
Ferraro began working on hockey broadcasts while still a player, and continues on to this day.
Parting thoughts
I always remember that 108-goal season of Ray Ferraro’s and how impressive it really is. He was a big deal that year and, although not as prolific at the professional level, he had a solid NHL career.
I always remember that 108-goal season of Ray Ferraro’s and how impressive it really is. He was a big deal that year and, although not as prolific at the professional level, he had a solid NHL career.
Where he really stands out now is as a broadcaster. I truly think he is one of the best, bringing value and insight to each and every broadcast he works on.
He may not have been a super star as a player, but he certainly is a super star as a broadcaster.
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