[27-JAN-2017] #OviWatch, etc. etc.

This week on #OviWatch...

Our Hero now has 23 goals in 49 GP this season, scoring his 23rd last night against the New Jersey Devils. That was his 548th career goal, tying him with Michael Goulet. 

Goulet was born on April 21st 1960 in Péribonka, Quebec, Canada; he was drafted 20th overall in 1979 by the Quebec Nordiques, and played for the Nordiques, until he was traded to the the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1988-89 season. A severe concussion ended his career during the 1993-94 season. Goulet now works as a scout for the Calgary Flames. In 1996 and 2001, he was Director of Player Personnel for the Colorado Avalanche when they won the Stanley Cup. His #16 was retired by the Nordiques on March 16, 1995, one year to the day after his concussion. 

Ron Francis - One of the 100 Greatest Players in NHL History

Ron Francis, with 549 goals, is next in line at #27. Born on March 1st 1963, he was drafted 4th overall by the Hartford Whalers in 1981, and played for the Whalers (1981-1991), Penguins (1991-1997), Hurricanes (1998-2003), and ended his career after 12 games with the the Maple Leafs after the 2003-04 season. He announced his retirement on September 14, 2005. 

In the all-time NHL regular season games played list, Francis sits at #3, with 1,731 games played in his career (only Gordie Howe, with 1,767, and Mark Messier, with 1,756, have more). Jaromir Jagr, with 1,679 games played, needs to play the remaining 32 games this season and 20 more next season to tie him. He won two Stanley Cups, both with the Penguins (1991 and 1992), was the NHL Plus-Minus award-winner and was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1995; the Lady Byng Trophy in 1995, 1998, and 2002; and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2002. He was inducted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2006, he became the Carolina Hurricanes' Director of Player Development, and now serves as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the team. He lives in Raleigh with his wife, Mary Lou; their daughter, Kaitlyn; and their two sons, Michael and Connor. 

#20.....Mark Recchi..........577 G..........1652 GP

#21.....Mike Bossy...........573 G...........752 GP

#22.....Mats Sundin..........564 G..........1346 GP

#23.....Joe Nieuwendyk.......564 G..........1257 GP

#24.....Mike Modano..........561 G..........1499 GP

#25.....Guy Lafleur..........560 G..........1126 GP

#26.....John Bucyk...........556 G..........1540 GP

#27.....Ron Francis..........549 G..........1731 GP

#28.....Alex Ovechkin........548 G...........888 GP

#28.....Michel Goulet........548 G..........1089 GP

#30.....Maurice Richard......544 G...........978 GP

#31.....Stan Mikita..........541 G..........1394 GP

#32.....Keith Tkachuk........538 G..........1201 GP

#TrotzWatch

Head Coach Barry Trotz has a record of 691-533-60 in 1409 games played. This puts him 7th on the list.

1. Scotty Bowman.........1244 wins in 2141 games
2. Joel Quenneville.......831 wins in 1508 games
3. Al Arbour..............782 wins in 1607 games
4. Ken Hitchcock..........781 wins in 1453 games
5. Lindy Ruff.............722 wins in 1461 games
6. Dick Irvin.............692 wins in 1449 games
7. Barry Trotz............691 wins in 1409 games

8. Pat Quinn..............684 wins in 1400 games

#HoltBEASTWatch

Our HoltBEAST has 6 shutouts, in sole possession of the #1 shutout record in the league for the 2016-17 season today. S/T to NHL.com for the imagery. He is also in second place in Goals Against average (1.96, tied with Jimmy Howard), 3rd place for svae percentage (.930), and fifth place for wins (24). 

#BackyWatch

Nick Backstrom has 34 assists, tying  him for second in the league. Yep, that's right, he's in second place in the LEAGUE. Connor McDavid has 42 for first, and Backy is tied with Patrick Kane.