John Tucker

John G. Tucker (born September 29, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League in the 1980s and 1990s, most notably with the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 177 goals and 259 assists in 656 career regular season games and a further 28 points in 31 play-off games. He played several more seasons in Italy and Japan as well.

Playing career Tucker was drafted 31st overall by Buffalo in the 1983 NHL entry draft having played junior for the Kitchener Rangers where he won the Memorial Cup in 1982. He played for Buffalo from 1983 through 1989. He was acquired by the Washington Capitals on January 5, 1990. Rejoining the Sabres the following season, following an off season trade from Washington, playing four seasons with the Lightning.

In 1996–97 season, Tucker returned to Italy, playing for HC Milano Saima. The following three seasons John played in Japan for Kokudo Keikaku.

Coaching career Since 2006, Tucker has served as an advisor and interim coach for his former Italian team H.C. Asiago. In 2010, Tucker was named head coach and led the team to two consecutive league championships and a Continental Cup final. Tucker recently completed his third season coaching H.C. Asiago.

On April 17, 2014, Tucker was named head coach of the Buffalo Junior Sabres Junior A team of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Personal life Tucker is the nephew of former Ottawa Rough Riders wide receiver Whit Tucker.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1981–82 Kitchener Rangers OHL 67 16 32 48 32 15 2 3 5 2 1982–83 Kitchener Rangers OHL 70 60 80 140 33 11 5 9 14 10 1983–84 Kitchener Rangers OHL 39 40 60 100 25 12 12 18 30 8 1983–84 Buffalo Sabres NHL 21 12 4 16 4 3 1 0 1 0 1984–85 Buffalo Sabres NHL 64 22 27 49 21 5 1 5 6 0 1985–86 Buffalo Sabres NHL 75 31 34 65 39 — — — — — 1986–87 Buffalo Sabres NHL 54 17 34 51 21 — — — — — 1987–88 Buffalo Sabres NHL 45 19 19 38 20 6 7 3 10 18 1988–89 Buffalo Sabres NHL 60 13 31 44 31 3 0 3 3 0 1989–90 Buffalo Sabres NHL 8 1 2 3 2 — — — — — 1989–90 Washington Capitals NHL 38 9 19 28 10 12 1 7 8 0 1990–91 Buffalo Sabres NHL 18 1 3 4 4 — — — — — 1990–91 New York Islanders NHL 20 3 4 7 4 — — — — — 1991–92 Asiago HC Italy-A 18 16 21 37 6 — — — — — 1992–93 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 78 17 39 56 69 — — — — — 1993–94 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 66 17 23 40 28 — — — — — 1994–95 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 46 12 13 25 14 — — — — — 1995–96 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 63 3 7 10 18 2 0 0 0 2 1996–97 HC Milano Saima Italy-A 30 12 29 41 88 — — — — — 1997–98 Kokudo Keikaku JPN 39 27 47 74 53 — — — — — 1998–99 Kokudo Keikaku JPN 23 21 20 41 30 — — — — — 1999–00 Kokudo Keikaku JPN 24 14 22 36 0 — — — — — NHL totals 656 177 259 436 285 31 10 18 28 20