Dirk Graham : biography
Dirk Milton Graham (born July 29, 1959) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League. He was honored in 1991 as the Frank J. Selke Trophy winner for outstanding defensive play by a forward. Graham served as head coach of the Blackhawks during the 1998–99 season before being relieved of his duties after 59 games. He’s considered the first black hockey captain (along with Jarome Iginla), given that one of his parents is bi-racial.
Awards and achievements
- Selected to the IHL Second All-Star Team in 1981.
- Selected to the IHL First All-Star Team in 1983.
- Selected to the CHL First All-Star Team in 1984.
- Frank J. Selke Trophy winner in 1991.
- First player of African descent to be named team captain in the NHL. Also first player of African descent to be appointed head coach of an NHL team.
Post-playing career
Right after retiring, Graham served as assistant coach for Craig Hartsburg with the Chicago Blackhawks. Graham took a year off then returned as a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks. He served briefly as coach in 1998–99 until he was replaced by Lorne Molleken. He is currently a scout for the San Jose Sharks.
Coaching record
Team | Year | Regular season | Post season | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | L | T | Pts | Division rank | Result | ||
CHI | 1998–99 | 59 | 16 | 35 | 8 | (70) | 3rd in Central | (Fired) |
Total | 59 | 16 | 35 | 8 | 40 |
Career statistics
Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
1975–76 | Regina Blues | SJHL | 54 | 36 | 32 | 68 | 82 | — | — | — | — | — |
1975–76 | Regina Pats | WCHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
1976–77 | Regina Pats | WCHL | 65 | 37 | 28 | 65 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — |
1977–78 | Regina Pats | WCHL | 72 | 49 | 61 | 110 | 87 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 37 |
1978–79 | Regina Pats | WHL | 71 | 48 | 60 | 108 | 252 | — | — | — | — | — |
1979–80 | Dallas Black Hawks | CHL | 62 | 17 | 15 | 32 | 96 | — | — | — | — | — |
1980–81 | Fort Wayne Komets | IHL | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
1980–81 | Toledo Goaldiggers | IHL | 61 | 40 | 45 | 85 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — |
1981–82 | Toledo Goaldiggers | IHL | 72 | 49 | 65 | 105 | 68 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 8 |
1982–83 | Toledo Goaldiggers | IHL | 78 | 70 | 55 | 125 | 88 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 20 | 30 |
1983–84 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
1983–84 | Salt Lake Golden Eagles | CHL | 57 | 37 | 57 | 94 | 72 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 2 |
1984–85 | Springfield Indians | AHL | 37 | 20 | 28 | 48 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — |
1984–85 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 36 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
1985–86 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 80 | 22 | 33 | 55 | 87 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
1987–88 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 28 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — |
1987–88 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 42 | 17 | 19 | 36 | 32 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
1988–89 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 80 | 33 | 45 | 78 | 91 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 38 |
1989–90 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 73 | 22 | 32 | 54 | 102 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
1990–91 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 80 | 24 | 21 | 45 | 88 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 19 |
1991–92 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 80 | 17 | 30 | 47 | 89 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 8 |
1992–93 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 84 | 20 | 17 | 37 | 139 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1993–94 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 67 | 15 | 18 | 33 | 45 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
1994–95 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 40 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 42 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
NHL totals | 772 | 219 | 270 | 489 | 919 | 90 | 17 | 27 | 44 | 94 |