Mark Recchi

Mark Recchi
Mark Recchi
Born	February 1, 1968 (age 58); Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation(s)	Professional ice hockey winger, coach
Years active	1988–2011 (player), 2014–present (coach)
Known for	NHL player, three-time Stanley Cup champion, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee

Mark Louis Recchi (born February 1, 1968) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger who spent 22 seasons competing in the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, his career also included stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Atlanta Thrashers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Boston Bruins. Recchi secured the Stanley Cup on three occasions: first with Pittsburgh in 1991, then with Carolina in 2006, and finally with Boston in 2011. Notably, during the 2010–11 campaign, he was the last NHL player active from the 1980s era and became the oldest athlete to net a goal in a Stanley Cup Finals game at age 43. His achievements were honored with induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.

Playing career

Recchi’s hockey journey began with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where his jersey number 8 was retired in recognition of his impact. After being drafted by Pittsburgh, he made his NHL debut in 1988 and played a key role in their 1991 Stanley Cup championship.

In 1992, he was traded to Philadelphia and became part of the "Crazy Eights" line alongside Eric Lindros and Brent Fedyk. During the 1992–93 season, Recchi set a franchise record by accumulating 123 points. He was traded to Montreal in 1995 but returned to Philadelphia late in the 1998–99 season, consistently ranking among the team’s leading scorers.

During the 1999–2000 season, Recchi was shortlisted for the Lester B. Pearson Award as NHLPA Most Valuable Player and finished third in overall league scoring behind Jaromír Jágr and Pavel Bure. The Flyers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals twice—in 2000 and again in 2004—but were defeated in seven-game series on both occasions.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Recchi was named "Kamloops Male Athlete of the 20th Century" in 2000, and a street was named in his honor.

Recchi re-signed with Pittsburgh on a two-year contract in August 2004; however, the first season was canceled due to the NHL lockout. The following year, as Pittsburgh struggled, he waived his no-trade clause and was dealt at the trade deadline to Stanley Cup hopeful Carolina Hurricanes. He earned his second Stanley Cup championship with Carolina before returning to Pittsburgh as a free agent during the summer of 2006.

On January 20, 2007, Recchi notched his seventh career hat-trick and shortly thereafter scored his 500th career goal. He re-signed with Pittsburgh for one year at $2 million in summer 2007 but was placed on waivers and assigned to their AHL affiliate before being claimed by the Atlanta Thrashers.

In July 2008, Recchi inked a one-year deal with Tampa Bay Lightning. After tallying 45 points over 62 games during the 2008–09 season and with Tampa eliminated from playoff contention, he was traded to Boston Bruins at the deadline. In his Bruins debut, he scored two goals.

Recchi renewed his contract with Boston for the 2009–10 season, initially indicating it would be his final year as a player. Following Joe Sakic’s retirement that summer, Recchi assumed leadership as the active points and assists leader. He served as alternate captain during Marc Savard’s injury absence and appeared in 81 of Boston’s 82 games.

During the 2010 playoffs, Recchi became the third-oldest player to score a postseason goal and set a record as the oldest player to register multiple goals in a playoff game. After Boston’s elimination from contention, he extended his playing career by signing another one-year contract.

Throughout the 2010–11 season, Recchi reached an impressive milestone of 1,500 career points. In Game 2 of that year’s Stanley Cup Finals, he established a record as the oldest goal scorer in Finals history at age 43 and scored twice more in Game 3—these would be his final goals as a professional. Boston captured its first Stanley Cup since 1972; Recchi led his team in scoring during the Finals and joined an exclusive group of players who have won three Cups with three different franchises.

Having planned retirement contingent on Boston’s victory, Recchi announced his decision to retire during post-championship celebrations. He concluded his career ranked fourth all-time in games played and twelfth in total points among NHL players.

Post-retirement

Mark Recchi holds a co-ownership stake in the Kamloops Blazers, sharing this role with Dallas Stars proprietor Tom Gaglardi and former NHL players Jarome Iginla, Shane Doan, and Darryl Sydor.

In 2013, Recchi took on a consulting position with the Dallas Stars, collaborating with ex-Stars teammates Mike Modano and Marty Turco.

On July 18, 2014, he was appointed as the player development coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing a key role in their Stanley Cup victories in 2016 and 2017. Subsequently, on June 15, 2017, he advanced to director of player development, and shortly after, on July 11, 2017, he was promoted to assistant coach following Rick Tocchet's exit to lead the Arizona Coyotes.

Following the conclusion of the 2019–20 NHL season, Recchi's contract with the Penguins was not extended.

He joined the New Jersey Devils as an assistant coach on September 8, 2020, remaining until his departure on May 4, 2022. Most recently, on September 25, 2023, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced Recchi's hiring as an assistant coach.

Personal life

Born on February 1, 1968, in Kamloops, British Columbia, Mark Recchi is the son of Mel and Ruth Recchi. He has three siblings: Marty, Mike, and Matt. On August 20, 2016, he married Kim Lazur; together they have two children. Overall, Recchi is a father to six children—four from a previous marriage: Christina, Bella, Samantha, Brendan, Cameron, and Austin.

Awards and achievements

Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017

Award	Year(s)
WHL West first All-Star team	1988
Stanley Cup champion	1991, 2006, 2011 (as player), 2016, 2017 (as development coach)
NHL All-Star Game	1991, 1993, 1994, 1997 (MVP), 1998, 1999, 2000
NHL second All-Star team	1992
Eddie Shore Award	2010
Named One of Top 100 Best Bruins Players of all Time	2024

Records

Holds the Flyers' single-season regular season scoring record with a total of 123 points (53 goals and 70 assists) during the 1992–93 campaign.
Became the oldest player to register five assists in one game on March 1, 2009, at age 41.
Recorded a Stanley Cup Finals goal at age 43 on June 6, 2011—the oldest player to do so.

Regular season and playoffs

... [statistics continue as original with no changes] ...

			Regular season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1984–85	Langley Eagles	BCHL	51	26	39	65	39	—	—	—	—	—
1984–85	New Westminster Bruins	WHL	4	0	1	1	0	—	—	—	—	—
1985–86	New Westminster Bruins	WHL	72	21	40	61	55	—	—	—	—	—
1986–87	Kamloops Blazers	WHL	40	26	50	76	63	13	3	16	19	17
1987–88	Kamloops Blazers	WHL	62	61	93	154	75	17	10	21	31	18
1988–89	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL	15	1	1	2	0	—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	Muskegon Lumberjacks	IHL	63	50	49	99	86	14	7	14	21	28
NHL totals			1,652	577	956	1,533	1,033	189	61	87	148	93

International

Year	Team	Tournament	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1988	Canada	WJC	7	0	5	5	4
1990	Canada	WC	5	0	2	2	2
1993	Canada	WC	8	2	5	7	2
1997	Canada	WC	9	3	3	6	0
1998	Canada	OLY	5	0	2	2	0
Junior career totals			7	0	5	5	4
Senior career totals			27	5	12	17	4

External links

Mark Recchi's Stanley Cup Celebration