Joel Otto

Joel Otto was a hockey player who was known as one of the league’s top defensive centers during his NHL career. He was twice a finalist for the Frank Selke Award, given to the league’s top defensive forward. An expert on face-offs, Otto played college hockey at Bemidji State University, after which he made the NHL as an undrafted free agent. He started out in 1984 with Moncton Golden Flames of the American Hockey League, but quickly moved up to the Calgary Flames, for whom he played 11 consecutive seasons in the NHL, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 1989. He finished his career by playing three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Otto had an extensive international record. He played at the 1985 and 1990 World Championships, and helped the US to a runner-up finish at the 1996 World Cup. He also played in the Canada Cup in 1987 and 1991, winning silver in 1991, in addition to his 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics appearance. After retiring Otto became a coach, first with the University of Calgary, and later in the Western Hockey League with the Calgary Hitmen. He also worked for the Calgary law firm MacLeod Dixon as a professional player consultant.