John Druce: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1966)}}

'''John W. Druce''' (born [[February 23]], [[1966]] in [[Peterborough, Ontario]]) is a retired [[Canadian]] [[ice hockey]] player.

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| image = John Druce.JPG

| caption = Druce with the [[Washington Capitals]]

| position = [[Winger (ice hockey)|Right wing]]

| shoots = Right

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lb = 215

| played_for = [[Washington Capitals]]<br>[[Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996)|Winnipeg Jets]]<br>[[Los Angeles Kings]]<br>[[Philadelphia Flyers]]

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|2|23|mf=y}}

| birth_place = [[Peterborough, Ontario|Peterborough]], [[Ontario]], Canada

| draft = 40th overall

| draft_year = 1985

| draft_team = [[Washington Capitals]]

| career_start = 1986

| career_end = 2000

}}

'''John W. Druce''' (born February 23, 1966) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] former professional [[ice hockey]] [[Winger (ice hockey)|right winger]] who played in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) for the [[Washington Capitals]], [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996)|Winnipeg Jets]], [[Los Angeles Kings]] and [[Philadelphia Flyers]]

Drafted in [[1985]] by the [[Washington Capitals]], Druce would not make the Capitals roster until the [[1988-89 NHL season]]. During the [[1989-90 NHL season]], his regular season statistics would continue to be unspectacular (8 goals in 45 games), but during the playoffs he would explode for 14 goals and helped guide the Capitals to their first semifinals appearance. Druce was unable to recapture that playoff magic by the time he was traded to the [[Winnipeg Jets]] in [[1992]].

==Playing career==

Druce would also play for the [[Los Angeles Kings]] and [[Philadelphia Flyers]], and he would appear in the 1997 Stanley Cup finals with the Flyers team that took on the [[Detroit Red Wings]]. He would play two seasons in the [[Deutsche Eishockey-Liga|German Hockey League]] before retiring fro active play.

As a youth, he played in the 1979 [[Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament]] with a [[minor ice hockey]] team from Peterborough.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-01-15|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In Druce's first year of Junior eligibility, he played for the [[Peterborough Petes]] B squad. He joined the Petes the next season and scored 12 goals in 54 games. Druce was on a checking line with future Capital teammate [[Rob Murray]].<ref name="si_May1990">{{cite magazine|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1136876/1/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608082102/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1136876/1/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 8, 2008|title=Druce On The Loose|last=Fichtenbaum |first=Paul|date=May 7, 1990|magazine=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=2009-07-20}}</ref>

Drafted in 1985 by the [[Washington Capitals]] in the second round (40th overall), Druce had a couple of modest seasons before scoring 32 goals for the [[Binghamton Whalers]] of the [[American Hockey League|AHL]] in 1987-88 season. He did not make the Capitals roster until the [[1988–89 NHL season]], where he was usually a fourth-line defensive specialist.<ref name="si_May1990" />

During the [[1989–90 NHL season]], his regular season statistics continued to be unspectacular (8 goals in 45 games), but during the playoffs he exploded for 14 goals (a club record until 2018) and helped guide the Capitals to their first conference finals appearance.

In the division semifinals versus the [[New Jersey Devils]], Druce scored three goals in the six game series won by Washington, including two game winners.<ref name="steinberg_apr2009">{{cite web|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/04/when_john_druce_was_loose.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813212458/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/04/when_john_druce_was_loose.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2012|title=When John Druce Was Loose|last=Steinberg|first=Dan|date=April 15, 2009|work=D.C. Sports Bog|publisher=The Washington Post|accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> In the division finals versus the [[New York Rangers]], Druce provided a shocking amount of offensive output. In game two of the series, Druce scored a [[Hat trick#Hockey|hat trick]], his first since midget hockey.<ref name="si_May1990" /> Game three saw Druce tally two more goals and two assists. The Capitals needed this offensive production since their top scorer [[Dino Ciccarelli]] was injured.<ref name="si_May1990" />

Druce scored two goals in game four to lead the Capitals to a three games to one lead. In overtime of game five, Druce fended off a check by [[Ron Greschner]] and deflected [[Geoff Courtnall]]'s shot over goalie [[John Vanbiesbrouck]] for a 2-1 series winning victory.<ref name="si_May1990" />

Capitals general manager [[David Poile]] said, "John Druce was not on the top of my list&mdash;anybody's list&mdash;to come through the way he did. He came out of nowhere to be the hero." Poile added, "He was not a top player in junior, not a top player in the minors. This is not only a good story today, but a good story for years to come."<ref name="si_May1990" />

At the time, Druce's total of nine goals in a playoff series put him in a five-way tie for third on the all-time list for goals scored in a playoff series, behind [[Jari Kurri]] (with 12, for the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in 1985) and [[Tim Kerr]] (with 10, for the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in 1989).<ref name="si_May1990" />

Druce was unable to recapture that playoff magic by the time he was traded to the [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996)|Winnipeg Jets]] in 1992. He also played for the [[Los Angeles Kings]] and [[Philadelphia Flyers]], and he appeared in the 1997 Stanley Cup finals with the Flyers team that took on the [[Detroit Red Wings]]. He also played two seasons in the [[Deutsche Eishockey Liga]] before retiring from active play.

In 531 NHL games, Druce scored 113 goals and 126 assists.

==External linksPost-retirement==

After playing, Druce became a junior hockey analyst on [[Rogers Sportsnet]]. In 2004, his daughter, Courtney, was diagnosed with [[leukemia]]. She relapsed with the disease twice but had been in remission since 2008.

In March 2016, Courtney lost her fifth fight with cancer which she battled for over 12 years, after beating leukemia three times and a rare form of cervical cancer once. She has inspired many with her bravery and her openness regarding all aspects of fighting this disease.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

*[http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=1441 Profile at hockeydb.com]

*[http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=10391 Profile at legends of hockey.net]

Druce was then inspired to join a [[cycling]] team to raise money for pediatric cancer research. In 2010, Druce was made an honorary constable of the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service, for his contributions to the Pedal For Hope in helping them surpass $1M. He currently works for [[Freedom 55 Financial]] in [[Peterborough, Ontario|Peterborough]].<ref name="hockey_news">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/25901-Backchecking-John-Druce-fights-new-battle-after-NHL-career.html|title=Backchecking: John Druce fights new battle after NHL career|last=Glew|first=Kevin|date=May 2, 2009|work=The Hockey News|accessdate=2009-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pedalforhope.com/event_schedule.htm |title=Pedal for Hope - Cops for Cancer - Peterborough Ontario Canada |access-date=2012-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314004316/http://www.pedalforhope.com/event_schedule.htm |archive-date=2012-03-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Category:1966 births|Druce, John]]

[[Category:Canadian ice hockey players|Druce, John]]

[[Category:Washington Capitals players|Druce, John]]

[[Category:Winnipeg Jets players|Druce, John]]

[[Category:Los Angeles Kings players|Druce, John]]

[[Category:Philadelphia Flyers players|Druce, John]]

[[Category:Living people|Druce, John]]

Each year when the playoffs begin, Druce receives media inquiries due to his performance with the Capitals.<ref name="steinberg_apr2009" /> He says:

<blockquote>

Originally I was very proud of what happened there, but I played 14 years of professional hockey, so I thought, 'Jeez, I did more than that.' I've come to realize that's kind of my calling card. I'm very proud of it, and this time of year comes around and it's nice.<ref name="steinberg_apr2009" />

</blockquote>

==Career statistics==

{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"

|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;

! colspan="5" | [[regular season|Regular&nbsp;season]]

! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;

! colspan="5" | [[Playoffs]]

|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! [[Season (sports)|Season]]

! Team

! League

! GP

! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]]

! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]]

! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]]

! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]

! GP

! G

! A

! Pts

! PIM

|-

| 1983–84

| Peterborough Legionnaires

| [[Ontario Minor Hockey Association|OMHA]]

| 40

| 15

| 18

| 33

| 69

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1983–84 OHL season|1983–84]]

| [[Peterborough Petes]]

| [[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]]

| 1

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|-

| [[1984–85 OHL season|1984–85]]

| Peterborough Petes

| OHL

| 54

| 12

| 14

| 26

| 90

| 17

| 6

| 2

| 8

| 21

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1985–86 OHL season|1985–86]]

| Peterborough Petes

| OHL

| 49

| 22

| 24

| 46

| 84

| 16

| 0

| 5

| 5

| 34

|-

| [[1986–87 AHL season|1986–87]]

| [[Binghamton Whalers]]

| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]

| 77

| 13

| 9

| 22

| 131

| 12

| 0

| 3

| 3

| 28

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1987–88 AHL season|1987–88]]

| Binghamton Whalers

| AHL

| 68

| 32

| 29

| 61

| 82

| 1

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

|-

| [[1988–89 AHL season|1988–89]]

| [[Baltimore Skipjacks]]

| AHL

| 16

| 2

| 11

| 13

| 10

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1988–89 NHL season|1988–89]]

| [[Washington Capitals]]

| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]

| 48

| 8

| 7

| 15

| 62

| 1

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

|-

| [[1989–90 AHL season|1989–90]]

| Baltimore Skipjacks

| AHL

| 26

| 15

| 16

| 31

| 38

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1989–90 NHL season|1989–90]]

| Washington Capitals

| NHL

| 45

| 8

| 3

| 11

| 52

| 15

| 14

| 3

| 17

| 23

|-

| [[1990–91 NHL season|1990–91]]

| Washington Capitals

| NHL

| 80

| 22

| 36

| 58

| 46

| 11

| 1

| 1

| 2

| 7

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]]

| Washington Capitals

| NHL

| 67

| 19

| 18

| 37

| 39

| 7

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 2

|-

| [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93]]

| [[Winnipeg Jets (1972–1996)|Winnipeg Jets]]

| NHL

| 50

| 6

| 14

| 20

| 37

| 2

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1993–94 IHL season|1993–94]]

| [[Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)|Phoenix Roadrunners]]

| [[IHL (1945-01)|IHL]]

| 8

| 5

| 6

| 11

| 9

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|-

| [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94]]

| [[Los Angeles Kings]]

| NHL

| 55

| 14

| 17

| 31

| 50

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95]]

| Los Angeles Kings

| NHL

| 43

| 15

| 5

| 20

| 20

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|-

| [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]]

| Los Angeles Kings

| NHL

| 64

| 9

| 12

| 21

| 14

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 1995–96

| [[Philadelphia Flyers]]

| NHL

| 13

| 4

| 4

| 8

| 13

| 2

| 0

| 2

| 2

| 2

|-

| [[1996–97 NHL season|1996–97]]

| Philadelphia Flyers

| NHL

| 43

| 7

| 8

| 15

| 12

| 13

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 2

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]]

| Philadelphia Flyers

| NHL

| 23

| 1

| 2

| 3

| 2

| 2

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 2

|-

| [[1997–98 AHL season|1997–98]]

| [[Philadelphia Phantoms]]

| AHL

| 39

| 21

| 28

| 49

| 45

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| [[1998–99 DEL season|1998–99]]

| [[Hannover Scorpions]]

| [[Deutsche Eishockey Liga|DEL]]

| 36

| 15

| 7

| 22

| 34

| —

| —

| —

| —

| —

|-

| [[1999–2000 DEL season|1999–00]]

| [[Augsburger Panther]]

| DEL

| 12

| 2

| 0

| 2

| 47

| 3

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 4

|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" | AHL totals

! 226

! 83

! 93

! 176

! 306

! 13

! 0

! 3

! 3

! 28

|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" | NHL totals

! 531

! 113

! 126

! 239

! 347

! 53

! 17

! 6

! 23

! 38

|}

==Notes and references==

{{reflist}}

==External links==

* {{Ice hockey stats}}

* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208003400/http://www.johndruce.com/ |date=February 8, 2011 |title=Official website}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Druce, John}}

{{Canada-icehockey-bio-stub}}

[[Category:1966 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:Augsburger Panther players]]

[[Category:Baltimore Skipjacks players]]

[[Category:Binghamton Whalers players]]

[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States]]

[[Category:Canadian ice hockey right wingers]]

[[Category:Hannover Scorpions players]]

[[Category:Ice hockey people from Peterborough, Ontario]]

[[Category:Los Angeles Kings players]]

[[Category:Peterborough Petes (ice hockey) players]]

[[Category:Philadelphia Flyers players]]

[[Category:Philadelphia Phantoms players]]

[[Category:Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL) players]]

[[Category:Washington Capitals draft picks]]

[[Category:Washington Capitals players]]

[[Category:Winnipeg Jets (1979–1996) players]]

[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]