This week in 1979 (Sept. 14), the Edmonton Oilers signed Charlie Huddy.

The rearguard was playing for the Oshawa Generals in the OMJHL at the time of his signing, and split time between the CHL and NHL until he joined the Oilers on a full-time basis in 1982.

Huddy had a great 11 year career with the Oilers, and went on to play over 1000 NHL games. In 694 games with the Oilers, he scored 81 goals and 368 points winning five Stanley Cups with Edmonton. He left the organization in May 1991 when he was claimed by Minnesota in the expansion draft.

He skated alongside Paul Coffey in Edmonton forming what was arguably one of the best defensive pairings in league history. While Coffey was the high-flying, fast-skating offensive wizard, Huddy was a more quiet defenceman known for his solid positional game.

Upon his retirement from pro hockey in 1997, he was hired as an assistant coach in the ECHL. Since 1998, he’s been an assistant coach in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, and the Winnipeg Jets since 2011.

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