Brian Skrudland

Born:	July 31, 1963	Draft:	Undrafted
Hometown:	Peace River, Alberta	Position:	Centre
Known For:	2x Stanley Cup Champion	Shoots:	Left
National Team:	Canada	Current Status:	Retired

Brian Skrudland (July 31, 1963) is a retired Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Dallas Stars during the 1999-2000 season. Undrafted at the NHL level, Skrudland earned his stripes with the Sherbrooke Canadiens of the American Hockey League during the 1985-86 season, registering 17 points in 17 post-season games and helping the team capture the Calder Cup while earning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the Most Valuable Player. The following year, he earned his spot on the Montreal Canadiens as a 23-year-old rookie. He appeared in 65 games, amassing 22 points and 57 penalty minutes, helping Montreal to its 23rd Stanley Cup. Most notably, he scored the fastest goal in Stanley Cup Final history, registering a goal nine seconds into game two. His eight seasons with the Canadiens include career-highs in goals (15 in 1990-91), assists (31 in 1989-1990), and points (42 in 1989-1990). He also represented the team as an alternate captain for three seasons, from 1989 to 1992.

Unfortunately, Skrudland was traded out to the Calgary Flames during the 1992-93, shortly before the Canadiens would capture their 24th Stanley Cup. He appeared in 16 games with Calgary before moving on to the expansion Florida Panthers. Skrudland was named the team’s first captain in franchise history, a title he held for four full seasons, and helped the team to a Stanley Cup Final appearance against the Colorado Avalanche, during their third year in the NHL. In the summer of 1997, he signed with the New York Rangers, however his stint in the Big Apple was short-lived, as he was traded out to the Stars, along with Mike Keane, for Bob Errey, Todd Harvey, and a 1998 fourth-round pick.

The following year, Skrudland became a stable presence on the Stars blue line, aiding the team to a memorable Stanley Cup run. Along with former Canadiens’ captain Keane, he and the Stars captured its first Stanley Cup in franchise history. He appeared in 19 games during the run, adding two assists and 16 penalty minutes. The following year, he returned to the Stanley Cup Final with the Stars, albeit in a losing effort to the New Jersey Devils. Skrudland retired at the conclusion of the 1999-2000 season at the age of 36.

Brian Skrudland

Brian Skrudland Statistics

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