Petri Skriko
Encyclopedia
Petri Kalevi Skriko is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey
player, best remembered for his seasons starring in the NHL
for the Vancouver Canucks
in the 1980s. He is currently a scout for the Washington Capitals
.
Lappeenranta as he emerged as a star at the age of 18 and was named the SM-Liiga
Rookie of the Year in 1981. That summer, he was drafted into the NHL
by the Vancouver Canucks
as the 157th pick in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft
.
In ensuing seasons, his stock continued to rise as he developed into one of the top players in Finland. He dominated the 1982 World Junior Championships
- earning top forward honours with 15 points in 7 games - and turned in stellar performances at the 1983 World Championships
and the 1984 Olympics
. In 1983–84, he was named to the SM-Liiga All-star team.
For the 1984–85 season, Skriko signed with the Canucks and went to North America. He enjoyed a solid rookie season, finishing with 21 goals and 35 points in 72 games, good for eighth on the team in scoring.
In 1985–86, Skriko emerged as a star for the Canucks, leading the team with 78 points. From 1985–89, he recorded four consecutive 30-goal seasons, and twice led the Canucks in scoring. In November 1986, he recorded three hat trick
s in eight days, and became the first-ever Canuck named NHL Player of the Month.
In 1989–90, however, his totals fell to 15 goals and 48 points. After a slow start to the 1990–91 season, Skriko was dealt to the Boston Bruins
for a draft pick. His play picked up somewhat in Boston, as he recorded 19 points in 28 games for the Bruins, and added eight more points in the playoffs en route to the conference finals.
In 1991–92 he was traded again, to the Winnipeg Jets, finishing the season with three goals in 24 games. He signed with the San Jose Sharks
for 1992–93, but was released two months into the season and returned to Europe.
After a brief stint back in the SM-Liiga, Skriko moved to the Danish league
with Herning IK
in 1993. He would be one of the best players ever to play in Denmark, helping his team to four championships and earning two Player of the Year honours. He would retire in 1999, but continue on as the team's head coach, winning another title in that capacity in 2001. He would then return to Finland to coach SaiPa for three seasons.
In nine seasons in the NHL, Skriko recorded 183 goals and 222 assists for 405 points in 541 games, along with 246 penalty minutes. Including his time in Europe, he would spend 20 seasons as a pro, recording over 1200 points in 1000+ games.
, and a Bronze at the 1982 World Juniors, where he was named the tournament's top forward. He represented Finland at the 1984 Winter Olympics
- again leading the team in scoring - and the 1992 Winter Olympics
. He would also play in the 1983, 1985, and 1987 World Championships, and the 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup
s.
Altogether, he appeared in 55 senior international games for Finland, recording 17 goals and 33 points.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player, best remembered for his seasons starring in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
for the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in the 1980s. He is currently a scout for the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
.
Playing career
Skriko was a teenage phenom in Finland for his hometown club SaiPaSaiPa
Saimaan Pallo is an ice hockey team in the Finnish SM-liiga. They play their home games at Kisapuisto in Lappeenranta, Finland.-History:The team's best achievement is from the 1965-1966 season, when they won bronze medals for placing third...
Lappeenranta as he emerged as a star at the age of 18 and was named the SM-Liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
Rookie of the Year in 1981. That summer, he was drafted into the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
as the 157th pick in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft
1981 NHL Entry Draft
The 1981 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League teams selected 211 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1980–81 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those players...
.
In ensuing seasons, his stock continued to rise as he developed into one of the top players in Finland. He dominated the 1982 World Junior Championships
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world...
- earning top forward honours with 15 points in 7 games - and turned in stellar performances at the 1983 World Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
and the 1984 Olympics
1984 Winter Olympics
The 1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from 8–19 February 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Other candidate cities were Sapporo, Japan; and Gothenburg, Sweden...
. In 1983–84, he was named to the SM-Liiga All-star team.
For the 1984–85 season, Skriko signed with the Canucks and went to North America. He enjoyed a solid rookie season, finishing with 21 goals and 35 points in 72 games, good for eighth on the team in scoring.
In 1985–86, Skriko emerged as a star for the Canucks, leading the team with 78 points. From 1985–89, he recorded four consecutive 30-goal seasons, and twice led the Canucks in scoring. In November 1986, he recorded three hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
s in eight days, and became the first-ever Canuck named NHL Player of the Month.
In 1989–90, however, his totals fell to 15 goals and 48 points. After a slow start to the 1990–91 season, Skriko was dealt to the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
for a draft pick. His play picked up somewhat in Boston, as he recorded 19 points in 28 games for the Bruins, and added eight more points in the playoffs en route to the conference finals.
In 1991–92 he was traded again, to the Winnipeg Jets, finishing the season with three goals in 24 games. He signed with the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
for 1992–93, but was released two months into the season and returned to Europe.
After a brief stint back in the SM-Liiga, Skriko moved to the Danish league
Oddset Ligaen
AL-Bank Ligaen is the premier league in Danish ice hockey. The teams are semi-professional with only the best Danish and foreign players being fully professional.- History :The name is a result of a sponsorship deal with a Danish bank Arbejdernes Landsbank...
with Herning IK
Herning Blue Fox
Herning Blue Fox is a Danish professional ice hockey team playing in the top Danish ice hockey league Oddset Ligaen. The team has won the Danish championship 15 times with the last title coming in 2011.Team-Goaltenders:# Lubos Pisar# Martin Jørgensen...
in 1993. He would be one of the best players ever to play in Denmark, helping his team to four championships and earning two Player of the Year honours. He would retire in 1999, but continue on as the team's head coach, winning another title in that capacity in 2001. He would then return to Finland to coach SaiPa for three seasons.
In nine seasons in the NHL, Skriko recorded 183 goals and 222 assists for 405 points in 541 games, along with 246 penalty minutes. Including his time in Europe, he would spend 20 seasons as a pro, recording over 1200 points in 1000+ games.
International career
Skriko is one of the most decorated players in Finnish international hockey history. He would help Team Finland to a Silver medal at the 1981 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsWorld Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world...
, and a Bronze at the 1982 World Juniors, where he was named the tournament's top forward. He represented Finland at the 1984 Winter Olympics
1984 Winter Olympics
The 1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from 8–19 February 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Other candidate cities were Sapporo, Japan; and Gothenburg, Sweden...
- again leading the team in scoring - and the 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
. He would also play in the 1983, 1985, and 1987 World Championships, and the 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup
Canada Cup (ice hockey)
The Canada Cup was an invitational international ice hockey tournament held on five occasions between 1976 and 1991. The tournament was created to meet demand for a true world championship that allowed the best players from participating nations to compete regardless of their status as professional...
s.
Altogether, he appeared in 55 senior international games for Finland, recording 17 goals and 33 points.
Awards and achievements
- SM-liigaSM-liigaThe SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
Rookie of the Year (1980–81) - SM-liiga All-Star Team (1983–84)
- Top Forward and Tournament All-Star, 1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships1982 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 1982 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 6th edition World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held from December 22, 1981 until January 2, 1982. The tournament was hosted by the United States in various cities across the state of Minnesota with some games also played in the...
- Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
' leading scorer (1985–86, 1988–89) - Molson CupMolson CupThe Molson Cup is an award presented to a distinguished player on Canadian ice hockey teams. After each game, the "three game stars" are selected, usually by a member of the media. At the end of the season, the player with the most three-star honours is presented with the Molson Cup...
winner for Vancouver Canucks (most three-stars selections, 1986–87) - First Finnish player ever to play for the Vancouver Canucks
- First Vancouver Canuck ever named NHL Player of the Month (November 1986)
- Most hat-tricks in a season by a Vancouver Canuck (4, 1986–87)
- 10th all-time in Canuck scoring (373 points)
- Denmark Player of the Year (1994–95, 1996–97)
- #9 jersey retired by SaiPa Lappeenranta
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1979–80 | SaiPa SaiPa Saimaan Pallo is an ice hockey team in the Finnish SM-liiga. They play their home games at Kisapuisto in Lappeenranta, Finland.-History:The team's best achievement is from the 1965-1966 season, when they won bronze medals for placing third... |
Finnish 1st div. | 36 | 25 | 20 | 45 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1980–81 | SaiPa | SM-liiga | 36 | 20 | 13 | 33 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | SaiPa | SM-liiga | 33 | 19 | 27 | 46 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | SaiPa | SM-liiga | 36 | 23 | 12 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | SaiPa | SM-liiga | 35 | 25 | 26 | 51 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1984–85 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
72 | 21 | 14 | 35 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 80 | 38 | 40 | 78 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1986–87 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 76 | 33 | 41 | 74 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 73 | 30 | 34 | 64 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 74 | 30 | 36 | 66 | 57 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 1989–90 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 15 | 33 | 48 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 20 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL | 28 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 9 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | ||
| 1991–92 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 15 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 17 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Kiekko-Espoo | SM-liiga | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Herning IK Herning Blue Fox Herning Blue Fox is a Danish professional ice hockey team playing in the top Danish ice hockey league Oddset Ligaen. The team has won the Danish championship 15 times with the last title coming in 2011.Team-Goaltenders:# Lubos Pisar# Martin Jørgensen... |
Denmark Oddset Ligaen AL-Bank Ligaen is the premier league in Danish ice hockey. The teams are semi-professional with only the best Danish and foreign players being fully professional.- History :The name is a result of a sponsorship deal with a Danish bank Arbejdernes Landsbank... |
28 | 30 | 39 | 69 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Herning IK | Denmark | 35 | 34 | 49 | 83 | — | 7 | 7 | 1 | 8 | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Herning IK | Denmark | 39 | 40 | 55 | 95 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Herning IK | Denmark | 48 | 49 | 60 | 109 | 57 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Herning IK | Denmark | 48 | 38 | 58 | 96 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Herning IK | Denmark | 42 | 26 | 43 | 69 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 541 | 183 | 222 | 405 | 246 | 28 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 4 | ||||
| SM-liiga totals | 162 | 93 | 83 | 176 | 71 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||
| Finnish Division totals | 36 | 25 | 20 | 45 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Denmark totals | 240 | 217 | 304 | 521 | 87 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 8 | — | ||||
International career stats
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Finland-18 | EJC | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 15 |
| 1981 | Finland-20 | WJC | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 |
| 1982 | Finland-20 | WJC | 7 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 4 |
| 1983 | Finland | WC | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| 1984 | Finland | Olympics | 6 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 8 |
| 1985 | Finland | WC | 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 1987 | Finland | WC | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 1987 | Finland | Canada Cup | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1991 | Finland | Canada Cup | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| 1992 | Finland | Olympics | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 |