John Druce Explained

Position:Right wing
Shoots:Right
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:215
Played For:Washington Capitals
Winnipeg Jets
Los Angeles Kings
Philadelphia Flyers
Birth Date:February 23, 1966
Birth Place: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 Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets, Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers

Playing career

As a youth, he played in the 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Peterborough.[1]

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.[2]

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 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.

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.[3] 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, his first since midget hockey. 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.

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.

Capitals general manager David Poile said, "John Druce was not on the top of my list - anybody's list - 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."

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).

Druce was unable to recapture that playoff magic by the time he was traded to the 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.

Post-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.

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.[4] [5]

Each year when the playoffs begin, Druce receives media inquiries due to his performance with the Capitals. He says:

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.

Career statistics

  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1983–84Peterborough LegionnairesOMHA4015183369
1983–84Peterborough PetesOHL10000
1984–85Peterborough PetesOHL54121426901762821
1985–86Peterborough PetesOHL49222446841605534
1986–87Binghamton WhalersAHL77139221311203328
1987–88Binghamton WhalersAHL683229618210000
1988–89Baltimore SkipjacksAHL162111310
1988–89Washington CapitalsNHL4887156210000
1989–90Baltimore SkipjacksAHL2615163138
1989–90Washington CapitalsNHL45831152151431723
1990–91Washington CapitalsNHL8022365846111127
1991–92Washington CapitalsNHL671918373971012
1992–93Winnipeg JetsNHL50614203720000
1993–94Phoenix RoadrunnersIHL856119
1993–94Los Angeles KingsNHL5514173150
1994–95Los Angeles KingsNHL431552020
1995–96Los Angeles KingsNHL649122114
1995–96Philadelphia FlyersNHL134481320222
1996–97Philadelphia FlyersNHL43781512131012
1997–98Philadelphia FlyersNHL23123220002
1997–98Philadelphia PhantomsAHL3921284945
1998–99Hannover ScorpionsDEL361572234
1999–00Augsburger PantherDEL122024730004
AHL totals22683931763061303328
NHL totals531113126239347531762338

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA. 2018. Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2019-01-15. 2019-03-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf. dead.
  2. Druce On The Loose. Fichtenbaum . Paul. May 7, 1990. Sports Illustrated. 2009-07-20.
  3. Web site: When John Druce Was Loose. Steinberg. Dan. April 15, 2009. D.C. Sports Bog. The Washington Post. 2009-07-21.
  4. Web site: Backchecking: John Druce fights new battle after NHL career. Glew. Kevin. May 2, 2009. The Hockey News. 2009-07-20.
  5. Web site: Pedal for Hope - Cops for Cancer - Peterborough Ontario Canada . 2012-11-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314004316/http://www.pedalforhope.com/event_schedule.htm . 2012-03-14 . dead .