Dave Semenko
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David John "Dave" Semenko (born 12 July 1957 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) is a retired hockey player who played for the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, and Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. He was originally selected in 1977 by the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League and the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association.
A frequent fighter, he was known as Wayne Gretzky's bodyguard early in Gretzky's career in Edmonton from 1979 to 1986. He won 2 Stanley Cups with the Oilers. Semenko is considered by many to be the toughest player to ever play in the NHL. Even the toughest fighters of his era would steer clear of him for fear of inciting his wrath. The protection offered by Semenko allowed Edmonton's star players, like Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey more freedom on the ice, greatly helping the Oilers win Stanley Cups in 1984 and 1985. He fought boxing legend Muhammad Ali in an exhibition on June 12, 1983. Semenko also played for the Oilers in the WHA before it merged with the NHL, and made brief stops with the Hartford Whalers and Toronto Maple Leafs before retiring after the 1987-88 season. He finished his 575-game NHL career with 55 goals, 88 assists and 1175 penalty minutes. He became an assisiant coach with the Oilers in 1996 before joining the scouting staff.
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