Jari Kurri

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Administrator
SexMale
Full nameJari Pekka•Kurri
Used nameJari•Kurri
Nick/petnamesJartsi, Poika, Dynamo
Born18 May 1960 in Helsinki, Uusimaa (FIN)
Measurements184 cm / 80-90 kg
AffiliationsJokerit, Helsinki (FIN) / Colorado Avalanche, Denver (USA)
NOC Finland
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Jari Kurri began his pro career with Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga in 1977, but was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL and joined the Oilers in 1980. Kurri played 10 years with the Oilers, helping them win five Stanley Cups (1984-85, 1987-88, 1990), and pairing with Wayne Gretzky to form one of the greatest scoring lines in NHL history. In 1984-85 Kurri set an NHL record for goals by a right winger with 71 (since broken), and finished the season with 135 points. In 1985-86 he led the league in goals scored with 68.

After the 1990 season, Kurri returned to Europe and played one season with HC Devils Milano in Italy, before returning to the NHL in 1991 with the Los Angeles Kings. He stayed in the NHL until the end of his playing career in 1998, except for one season in 1994-95 with Jokerit during an NHL lockout. In the later years of his career, Kurri moved around a bit, playing with the Kings, the New York Rangers, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and his final NHL season with the Colorado Avalanche in 1997-98.

Internationally, Kurri played for Finland at the 1980 and 1998 Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal in 1998 at Nagano. At the World Championships he competed for Finland in 1982, 1989, 1991, and 1994, and he was on their Canada Cup team in 1981, 1987, and 1994, often limited by his NHL responsibilities. Other than his Olympic bronze his only other international medal was a bronze at the 1994 Worlds.

After his sporting retirement Kurri was named general manager of the Finnish national team. He is married to a former Miss Finland. Kurri finished his career as the highest scoring European born-and-trained player in NHL history, with 601 goals, 797 assists, and 1,398 points, marks since surpassed by Jaromír Jágr and Teemu Selänne. He was the first Finnish player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and in 2000 was inducted, along with Gretzky, into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. His number has been retired by the Oilers, the Finnish national team, and Jokerit, and the SM-liiga awards the Jari Kurri Trophy to the most valuable player in the play-offs.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1980 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) FIN Jari Kurri
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Finland 4
1998 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey (Ice Hockey) FIN Jari Kurri
Ice Hockey, Men (Olympic) Finland 3 Bronze

Organization roles

Role Organization Tenure NOC As
Athlete International Olympic Committee 2002—2006 FIN Jari Kurri

Special Notes