Steve Kasper

Steve Kasper
Kasper with the Boston Bruins in 1980
Born	(1961-09-28) September 28, 1961 Saint-Lambert, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	Boston Bruins Los Angeles Kings Philadelphia Flyers Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL draft	81st overall, 1980 Boston Bruins
Playing career	1980–1993

Stephen Neil Kasper (born September 28, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Kasper won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as top defensive forward during his second season in the NHL. He moved into coaching following his playing career, serving as the Bruins' head coach during the 1995–96 and 1996–97 seasons.

Playing career

Kasper began his hockey career with the Verdun Eperviers and the Sorel Black Hawks in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He topped the 100 point mark twice and was chosen 81st overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. Kasper earned a spot on the roster, playing a total of 76 games and scoring 51 points. He emerged as one of the best checking centres of the game and was subsequently awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1981–82. Kasper helped the Bruins reach the semi-finals in 1982–83. In 1987–88, Kasper and the Bruins made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Edmonton Oilers, 4-0 with one tie. Kasper was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Bobby Carpenter in 1988–89. Kasper enjoyed some success with the Kings playing with Wayne Gretzky and Bernie Nicholls before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 1991–92. He played two seasons in Philadelphia before being traded again to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kasper played in 47 games with the Bolts before retiring.

Coaching career

Kasper returned to Boston as an assistant coach to Brian Sutter. On July 22, 1994, he was named the head coach of the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. He led the Bruins to the second round of the playoffs before being eliminated from contention. Kasper then again returned to Boston in 1995–96 to replace Sutter as head coach. He led the Bruins to a 91-point season. After a first round exit to the Florida Panthers and 26 wins in the 1996-97 season, Kasper was fired and replaced by Pat Burns. This marked the first time in 28 years the Bruins had missed the playoffs. On May 3, 2007, Kasper became the new head coach of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (CJAHL) team, the Yarmouth Mariners. Kasper was fired as director of pro scouting for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, April 12, 2015, the day after the team's last game of the season.

Awards and achievements

• Frank J. Selke Trophy winner in 1982.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1977–78	Verdun Éperviers	QMJHL		63	26	45	71	16		4	2	4	6	0
1978–79	Verdun Éperviers	QMJHL		67	37	67	104	53		11	7	6	13	22
1979–80	Verdun/Sorel Éperviers	QMJHL		70	57	65	122	117		—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	Sorel Éperviers	QMJHL		2	5	2	7	0		—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	Boston Bruins	NHL		76	21	35	56	94		3	0	1	1	0
1981–82	Boston Bruins	NHL		73	20	31	51	72		11	3	6	9	22
1982–83	Boston Bruins	NHL		24	2	6	8	24		12	2	1	3	10
1983–84	Boston Bruins	NHL		27	3	11	14	19		3	0	0	0	7
1984–85	Boston Bruins	NHL		77	16	24	40	33		5	1	0	1	9
1985–86	Boston Bruins	NHL		80	17	23	40	73		3	1	0	1	4
1986–87	Boston Bruins	NHL		79	20	30	50	51		3	0	2	2	0
1987–88	Boston Bruins	NHL		76	26	44	70	35		23	7	6	13	10
1988–89	Boston Bruins	NHL		49	10	16	26	49		—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		29	9	15	24	14		11	1	5	6	10
1989–90	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		77	17	28	45	27		10	1	1	2	2
1990–91	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		67	9	19	28	33		10	4	6	10	8
1991–92	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		16	3	2	5	10		—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		21	1	3	4	2		—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		47	3	4	7	18		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				821	177	291	468	554		94	20	28	48	82

Coaching record

Team	Year	Regular Season						Post Season
		G	W	L	T	Pts	Finish	Result
BOS	1995–96	82	40	31	11	91	2nd in Northeast	Lost in First Round
BOS	1996–97	82	26	47	9	61	6th in Northeast	Missed Playoffs
Total		164	66	78	20

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database