Tony Tanti
Encyclopedia
Tony Tanti is a retired professional ice hockey
player. He was a left winger
and played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League
with the Vancouver Canucks
. Originally drafted 12th overall by the Chicago Black Hawks
in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft
, he also played briefly for the Pittsburgh Penguins
and Buffalo Sabres
in the latter stages of his NHL career. After twelve seasons in the NHL, Tanti began a playing career in Germany
's Bundesliga. He played in Berlin for six seasons before retiring after the 1997–98 season.
for three seasons, Tanti played with the Oshawa Generals
, breaking a league rookie record previously set by Wayne Gretzky
. Tanti still holds the record for most goals by a rookie with 81 in 1980–81. He was selected by the Chicago Black Hawks
as the 12th overall pick in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft
, but was traded after just three games over two seasons to the Vancouver Canucks
for feared fighter and able scorer Curt Fraser
in 1982–83.
As a proficient scorer in junior, Vancouver hoped he'd bring that scoring touch to the West Coast. In his first full season as a Canuck (1983–84), he set a new club goal scoring record with 45, passing Darcy Rota
's total of 42 from the previous season. Adding 41 assists for 86 points, he finished second in team scoring to linemate Patrik Sundstrom
. He followed that up with two consecutive 39-goal seasons before earning the Cyrus H. McLean Trophy
as the Canucks leading points scorer in 1986–87 and 1987–88. In eight seasons with the Canucks
, Tanti totaled 250 goals and 220 assists for 470 points - sixth overall in all-time franchise scoring. He is also second in all-time power play
goals with 102.
At the height of his game, Tanti was one of the most feared snipers in the league. At just 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), 180 pounds (82 kg), he had a knack for eluding opposing checkers and darting around defensemen. He earned the Canucks' Most Exciting Player Award five years in a row (1983–84 through 1987–88), leading the team in goal scoring in that same span. He was also selected to play in the 1984 and 1986 NHL All-Star Game. Although he was unable to play in 1984 due to injury, in 1986, he played on a line with Denis Savard
and Mark Messier
, and scored the first goal of the event. He was named Vancouver Canucks MVP
for the 1987–88 season. Internationally, he played for Canada at the 1983 World Junior Championships
and at the World Championships in 1985
, 1986
, and 1987
. He was invited to the training camp for the 1987 Canada Cup
, but failed to make the team.
Tanti concluded his NHL career with brief stints in Pittsburgh
and Buffalo
before playing for six seasons in Berlin
, Germany
. He has now retired from the game and resides in West Vancouver, working as an agent for a wholesale flooring business. In his spare time, he coaches youth hockey alongside another former Canuck Dave Babych
.
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. He was a left winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
and played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League
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...
with 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,...
. Originally drafted 12th overall by the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
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...
, he also played briefly for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
and Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in the latter stages of his NHL career. After twelve seasons in the NHL, Tanti began a playing career in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's Bundesliga. He played in Berlin for six seasons before retiring after the 1997–98 season.
Playing career
As a junior in the Ontario Hockey LeagueOntario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
for three seasons, Tanti played with the Oshawa Generals
Oshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
, breaking a league rookie record previously set by Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
. Tanti still holds the record for most goals by a rookie with 81 in 1980–81. He was selected by the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
as the 12th overall 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...
, but was traded after just three games over two seasons to 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,...
for feared fighter and able scorer Curt Fraser
Curt Fraser
Curtis Martin Fraser is a former ice hockey player of dual American and Canadian citizenship...
in 1982–83.
As a proficient scorer in junior, Vancouver hoped he'd bring that scoring touch to the West Coast. In his first full season as a Canuck (1983–84), he set a new club goal scoring record with 45, passing Darcy Rota
Darcy Rota
Darcy Irwin Rota is a retired professional ice hockey player who spent eleven seasons in the National Hockey League...
's total of 42 from the previous season. Adding 41 assists for 86 points, he finished second in team scoring to linemate Patrik Sundstrom
Patrik Sundström
Patrik Sundström is a retired professional ice hockey centre, who played in the NHL for ten seasons.- Playing career :Sundström was drafted 175th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft....
. He followed that up with two consecutive 39-goal seasons before earning the Cyrus H. McLean Trophy
Cyrus H. McLean Trophy
The Cyrus H. McLean Trophy is an award given out by the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. It recognizes the Canucks leading scorer over the course of the regular season...
as the Canucks leading points scorer in 1986–87 and 1987–88. In eight seasons with the 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,...
, Tanti totaled 250 goals and 220 assists for 470 points - sixth overall in all-time franchise scoring. He is also second in all-time power play
Power play (sport)
"Power play" is a sporting term used in various games.*In ice hockey, a team is said to be on a power play when at least one opposing player is serving a penalty, and the team has a numerical advantage on the ice...
goals with 102.
At the height of his game, Tanti was one of the most feared snipers in the league. At just 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), 180 pounds (82 kg), he had a knack for eluding opposing checkers and darting around defensemen. He earned the Canucks' Most Exciting Player Award five years in a row (1983–84 through 1987–88), leading the team in goal scoring in that same span. He was also selected to play in the 1984 and 1986 NHL All-Star Game. Although he was unable to play in 1984 due to injury, in 1986, he played on a line with Denis Savard
Denis Savard
Denis Joseph Savard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League from 1980 to 1997, and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000...
and Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
, and scored the first goal of the event. He was named Vancouver Canucks MVP
Cyclone Taylor Trophy
The Cyclone Taylor Award is the award given each year to the most valuable player on the Vancouver Canucks . It is named after Cyclone Taylor, a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who led the Vancouver Millionaires to the Stanley Cup in 1915...
for the 1987–88 season. Internationally, he played for Canada at the 1983 World Junior Championships
1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 7th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Leningrad, Soviet Union between December 26, 1982 and January 4, 1983...
and at the World Championships in 1985
1985 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 1985 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 17 April to 3 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once. The four best teams then played each other again. This was the 50th World Championships, and also the 61st European Championships of...
, 1986
1986 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 1986 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in the Soviet Union from 12 April to 28 April. The games were played at the Palace of Sports of the Central Lenin Stadium in Moscow, and eight teams took part. Each team played each other once, and then the four best teams played each other again....
, and 1987
1987 World Ice Hockey Championships
The 1987 Ice Hockey World Championships was the 52nd such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. It was also the 63rd ice hockey European Championships. Teams representing 28 countries participated in four levels of competition....
. He was invited to the training camp for the 1987 Canada Cup
1987 Canada Cup
The 1987 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament held from August 28 to September 15, 1987. The finals took place in Montreal on September 11 and Hamilton, Ontario, on September 13 and September 15, and were won by Team Canada....
, but failed to make the team.
Tanti concluded his NHL career with brief stints in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
and Buffalo
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
before playing for six seasons in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He has now retired from the game and resides in West Vancouver, working as an agent for a wholesale flooring business. In his spare time, he coaches youth hockey alongside another former Canuck Dave Babych
Dave Babych
David Michael Babych is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who spent 19 seasons in the National Hockey League . He is currently an assistant director of player personnel with the Vancouver Canucks...
.
Awards and achievements
- NHL All-Star Game - 1984, 1986
- Most Exciting Player Award (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,...
) - 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 - Cyrus H. McLean TrophyCyrus H. McLean TrophyThe Cyrus H. McLean Trophy is an award given out by the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. It recognizes the Canucks leading scorer over the course of the regular season...
(Vancouver Canucks' leading scorer) - 1987, 1988 - Cyclone Taylor TrophyCyclone Taylor TrophyThe Cyclone Taylor Award is the award given each year to the most valuable player on the Vancouver Canucks . It is named after Cyclone Taylor, a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who led the Vancouver Millionaires to the Stanley Cup in 1915...
(Vancouver Canucks MVP) - 1988
Records
- Ontario Hockey LeagueOntario Hockey LeagueThe Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
rookie goal scoring record - 81 (1980–81)
Regular season and playoffs
| 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 | St. Michael's Buzzers St. Michael's Buzzers The St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of Central Canadian Hockey League.-History:... |
OHA-B Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League The Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association and the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The league dates back to 1954 as the Central Junior B Hockey League. In 1993, the Central Junior B Hockey League was promoted to the... |
37 | 31 | 27 | 58 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1980–81 | Oshawa Generals Oshawa Generals The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
67 | 81 | 69 | 150 | 197 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 41 | ||
| 1981–82 | Oshawa Generals | OHL | 57 | 62 | 64 | 126 | 138 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 15 | ||
| 1981–82 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Oshawa Generals | OHL | 30 | 34 | 28 | 62 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | 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 | 39 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1983–84 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 79 | 45 | 41 | 86 | 50 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1984–85 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 68 | 39 | 20 | 59 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 39 | 20 | 59 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | ||
| 1986–87 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 41 | 38 | 79 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 73 | 40 | 37 | 77 | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 24 | 25 | 49 | 69 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 1989–90 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 41 | 14 | 18 | 32 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL | 37 | 14 | 18 | 32 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 46 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:... |
NHL | 10 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 1991–92 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 70 | 15 | 16 | 31 | 100 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 1992–93 | BSC Preussen Berlin | DEL | 34 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | BSC Preussen Berlin | DEL | 43 | 19 | 24 | 43 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | BSC Preussen Berlin | DEL | 42 | 25 | 33 | 58 | 114 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
| 1995–96 | BSC Preussen Berlin | DEL | 43 | 32 | 28 | 60 | 56 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 16 | ||
| 1996–97 | BSC Preussen Berlin | DEL | 43 | 14 | 25 | 39 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1997–98 | BSC Preussen Berlin | DEL | 41 | 6 | 24 | 30 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 697 | 287 | 273 | 560 | 661 | 30 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 27 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | P | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1983 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 7th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Leningrad, Soviet Union between December 26, 1982 and January 4, 1983... |
Canada | WJC 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... |
7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1985 1985 World Ice Hockey Championships The 1985 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 17 April to 3 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once. The four best teams then played each other again. This was the 50th World Championships, and also the 61st European Championships of... |
Canada | WC 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... |
10 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 12 | |
| 1986 1986 World Ice Hockey Championships The 1986 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in the Soviet Union from 12 April to 28 April. The games were played at the Palace of Sports of the Central Lenin Stadium in Moscow, and eight teams took part. Each team played each other once, and then the four best teams played each other again.... |
Canada | WC | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 22 | |
| 1987 1987 World Ice Hockey Championships The 1987 Ice Hockey World Championships was the 52nd such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. It was also the 63rd ice hockey European Championships. Teams representing 28 countries participated in four levels of competition.... |
Canada | WC | 10 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 6 | |
| Senior int'l totals | 28 | 16 | 7 | 23 | 40 | |||
All-Star Games
| Year | Location | G | A | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 36th National Hockey League All-Star Game The 36th NHL All-Star Game was held in Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, home to the New Jersey Devils, on January 31, 1984.- Wales Conference All-Stars :| valign=top width=50% align=left |- Campbell Conference All-Stars :... |
East Rutherford New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
— | — | — | |
| 1986 38th National Hockey League All-Star Game The 38th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut, home to the Hartford Whalers, on February 4, 1986.-Game summary:*Referee: Ron Wicks*Linesmen: Gord Broseker, John D'Amico... |
Hartford Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... |
1 | 0 | 1 | |
| All-Star totals | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||