Category: A Rams Fan Comments

1) NHL: In honor of Black History Month, A) who was the first black player in the NHL, and B) who was the first black player to win an NHL Stanley Cup and what position did he play, and C) who was the black skater with the most goals in their career?

Answer 1A: Willie O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins and was the first black skater in the league’s history, he is Canadian. There is a documentary about him on cable that is very well done.

Answer 1B: Grant Fuhr won the Stanley Cup 5 times as the starting goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990). Is listed as one of the 100 greatest NHL players in history and in 2003 was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was born in Alberta, Canada.

Answer 1C: Jerome Iginla is a black Canadian hockey player who captained the Calgary Flames to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals scoring the most goals in the regular season and the playoffs. He skated in the NHL from 1996 to 2017 playing in 1554 games and scoring 625 goals.

Tied with Joe Sakic for 16th among the all time NHL goal scorers. He was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020 and his number 12 was retired by the Flames in 2019. These three men are the only black male skaters in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

2) Rams: A) Which Rams team was the most successful and B) which teams won 20 or more games in a season? I ask these two questions in order for you to understand how the Rams could be ranked 16th in the state having only won two games. “Talkin’ ‘bout my reputation”.

Answer 2A: The 2002-2003 Randolph ice hockey team played 30 games with a record of 24 wins and 6 losses. Their top skater was number 9, Dan Pencinger, who scored 39 goals that season including the first 4 goals of the 2003 New Jersey Public School State Championship at the Meadowlands against Brick Memorial. This was the first state championship for Randolph. The Rams now have nine. Dan Pencinger and this Rams team were inducted in the New Jersey Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. The team scored 135 goals and allowed 59. The Rams goaltender was #31 Kyle Finnerty.

You can still see this game on you tube:

Answer 2B: This fan cannot answer this question fully. My research only goes back to 2011 and I now can add 2003. So here is a partial answer for the Rams teams winning 20 or more in a season and anyone who can add to it would be appreciated:

2019-2020 = 21 – 3 – 4 (wins – losses – ties)
2018-2019 = 21 – 5 – 2
2017-2018 = 22 – 2 – 3
2011-2012 = 22 – 2 – 4
2010-2011 = 21 – 2 – 2
2002-2003 = 24 – 6 – 0

The Rams have won the New Jersey Public State championship in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2020 = 9 times. They made it to the state finals in 16 times since 1999. Rich McLaughlin has coached the Rams since 1993 and with this outstanding record is it any wonder he was inducted in the New Jersey Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012? The Rams are luck to have him and his staff. And when you watch the 2003 you tube you will be amazed how little he has changed…maybe we should all shave our heads???