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1988–89 Pittsburgh Penguins season

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1988–89 Pittsburgh Penguins
Division2nd Patrick
Conference4th Wales
1988–89 record40–33–7
Home record24–13–3
Road record16–20–4
Goals for347
Goals against349
Team information
General managerTony Esposito
CoachGene Ubriaco
CaptainMario Lemieux
Alternate captainsPaul Coffey
Randy Cunneyworth
ArenaPittsburgh Civic Arena
Team leaders
GoalsMario Lemieux (85)
AssistsMario Lemieux (114)
PointsMario Lemieux (199)
Penalty minutesJay Caufield (285)
WinsTom Barrasso (18)
Goals against averageTom Barrasso and
Frank Pietrangelo (4.04)

The 1988–89 Pittsburgh Penguins season saw the Penguins finish in second place in the Patrick Division with a record of 40 wins, 33 losses, and 7 ties for 87 points. They swept the New York Rangers in the Division Semi-finals before losing the Division Finals in seven games to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Offseason

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Regular season

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This was Mario Lemieux's best season offensively. He led the league in goals (85), assists (114, tied with Wayne Gretzky), points (199), power-play goals (31) and shorthanded goals (13).

The Penguins finished the regular season with the most power-play opportunities against, with 482, the most power-play opportunities, with 491, and the most power-play goals scored, with 119.[1]

Highlights

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  • December 31, 1988 – Mario Lemieux scores five goals in an 8–6 win over the New Jersey Devils. Lemieux scores the five goals in five different ways: even strength, shorthanded, power play, penalty shot, and empty net.

Season standings

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Patrick Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Washington Capitals 80 41 29 10 305 259 92
Pittsburgh Penguins 80 40 33 7 347 349 87
New York Rangers 80 37 35 8 310 307 82
Philadelphia Flyers 80 36 36 8 307 285 80
New Jersey Devils 80 27 41 12 281 325 66
New York Islanders 80 28 47 5 265 325 61

[2]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Record vs. opponents

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Vs. Wales Conference

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Vs. Campbell Conference

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Schedule and results

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On January 4, 1989, the Penguins defeated the Red Army team 4–2 at the Civic Arena in an exhibition. [1]

1988–89 Schedule
October: 7–4–0 (Home: 5–0–0 ; Road: 2–4–0), 14 Points
# Oct Time (ET) Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
1 Oct 7 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–4 Washington Capitals Capital Centre 1–0–0 2
2 Oct 11 Washington Capitals 7–8 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 2–0–0 4
3 Oct 12 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–8 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium 2–1–0 4
4 Oct 15 St. Louis Blues 2–9 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 3–1–0 6
5 Oct 18 Philadelphia Flyers 2–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 4–1–0 8
6 Oct 21 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–6 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena 4–2–0 8
7 Oct 22 Chicago Blackhawks 4–7 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 5–2–0 10
8 Oct 25 Calgary Flames 1–6 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 6–2–0 12
9 Oct 27 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–4 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena 6–3–0 12
10 Oct 29 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum 7–3–0 14
11 Oct 30 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–9 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden (IV) 7–4–0 14
November: 7–6–0 (Home: 5–2–0 ; Road: 2–4–0), 14 Points
# Nov Time (ET) Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
12 Nov 1 Vancouver Canucks 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 8–4–0 16
13 Nov 3 Quebec Nordiques 6–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 8–5–0 16
14 Nov 6 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–5 Philadelphia Flyers The Spectrum 8–6–0 16
15 Nov 8 Edmonton Oilers 7–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 8–7–0 16
16 Nov 10 Toronto Maple Leafs 1–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 9–7–0 18
17 Nov 12 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–7 Los Angeles Kings The Forum 9–8–0 18
18 Nov 13 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2 Vancouver Canucks Pacific Coliseum 10–8–0 20
19 Nov 16 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–8 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens 10–9–0 20
20 Nov 19 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–6 New York Islanders Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 10–10–0 20
21 Nov 23 New York Rangers 2–8 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 11–10–0 22
22 Nov 25 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–3 Washington Capitals Capital Centre 12–10–0 24
23 Nov 26 Philadelphia Flyers 3–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 13–10–0 26
24 Nov 30 Washington Capitals 4–6 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 14–10–0 28
December: 9–2–3 (Home: 6–1–1 ; Road: 3–1–2), 21 Points
# Dec Time (ET) Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
25 Dec 3 New York Islanders 2–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 15–10–0 30
26 Dec 4 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–3 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden 15–10–1 31
27 Dec 6 Chicago Blackhawks 6–7 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 16–10–1 33
28 Dec 8 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–4 Philadelphia Flyers The Spectrum 16–11–1 33
29 Dec 10 New Jersey Devils 4–4 OT Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 16–11–2 34
30 Dec 14 Los Angeles Kings 4–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 17–11–2 36
31 Dec 15 Pittsburgh Penguins 8–2 New York Islanders Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 18–11–2 38
32 Dec 17 Detroit Red Wings 2–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 19–11–2 40
33 Dec 20 New York Islanders 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 20–11–2 42
34 Dec 21 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–1 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens 21–11–2 44
35 Dec 23 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–2 OT New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena 21–11–3 45
36 Dec 26 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–3 OT Hartford Whalers Hartford Civic Center 22–11–3 47
37 Dec 29 Philadelphia Flyers 3–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 22–12–3 47
38 Dec 31 New Jersey Devils 6–8 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 23–12–3 49
January: 5–6–1 (Home: 3–2–1 ; Road: 2–4–0), 11 Points
# Jan Time (ET) Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
39 Jan 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–8 Washington Capitals Capital Centre 23–13–3 49
40 Jan 7 Vancouver Canucks 7–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 23–14–3 49
41 Jan 10 New York Islanders 3–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 24–14–3 51
42 Jan 12 Pittsburgh Penguins 9–2 Minnesota North Stars Met Center 25–14–3 53
43 Jan 14 New York Rangers 4–4 OT Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 25–14–4 54
44 Jan 15 Pittsburgh Penguins 4–6 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden (IV) 25–15–4 54
45 Jan 17 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–5 New York Islanders Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 25–16–4 54
46 Jan 20 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–7 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena 25–17–4 54
47 Jan 21 Pittsburgh Penguins 7–4 Edmonton Oilers Northlands Coliseum 26–17–4 56
48 Jan 25 Winnipeg Jets 4–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 27–17–4 58
49 Jan 28 Detroit Red Wings 5–10 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 28–17–4 60
50 Jan 31 Montreal Canadiens 5–1 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 28–18–4 60
February: 4–7–3 (Home: 2–2–1 ; Road: 2–3–2), 11 Points
# Feb Time (ET) Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
51 Feb 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–3 Philadelphia Flyers The Spectrum 29–18–4 62
52 Feb 3 St. Louis Blues 3–3 OT Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 29–18–5 63
53 Feb 5 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden 30–18–5 65
54 Feb 9 Quebec Nordiques 2–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 31–18–5 67
55 Feb 11 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–8 Quebec Nordiques Colisée de Québec 31–19–5 67
56 Feb 12 Calgary Flames 4–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 31–20–5 67
57 Feb 14 Buffalo Sabres 3–7 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 32–20–5 69
58 Feb 17 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–5 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium 32–21–5 69
59 Feb 18 New York Rangers 5–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 32–22–5 69
60 Feb 21 Minnesota North Stars 2–1 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 32–23–5 69
61 Feb 23 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–6 OT Detroit Red Wings Joe Louis Arena 32–23–6 70
62 Feb 25 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–5 OT New York Islanders Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 32–23–7 71
63 Feb 26 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–8 Hartford Whalers Hartford Civic Center 32–24–7 71
March: 6–9–0 (Home: 2–5–0 ; Road: 4–4–0), 12 Points
# Mar Time (ET) Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
64 Mar 1 New Jersey Devils 1–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 33–24–7 73
65 Mar 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–4 Washington Capitals Capital Centre 33–25–7 73
66 Mar 5 Edmonton Oilers 4–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 33–26–7 73
67 Mar 7 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–3 OT Los Angeles Kings Great Western Forum 33–27–7 73
68 Mar 9 Pittsburgh Penguins 3–10 Calgary Flames Olympic Saddledome 33–28–7 73
69 Mar 10 Pittsburgh Penguins 5–1 Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Arena 34–28–7 75
70 Mar 12 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–5 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Stadium 35–28–7 77
71 Mar 14 Boston Bruins 8–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 35–29–7 77
72 Mar 16 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–1 New Jersey Devils Brendan Byrne Arena 36–29–7 79
73 Mar 18 Montreal Canadiens 7–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 36–30–7 79
74 Mar 20 Pittsburgh Penguins 2–7 Minnesota North Stars Met Center 36–31–7 79
75 Mar 22 Washington Capitals 5–4 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 36–32–7 79
76 Mar 25 New Jersey Devils 4–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 37–32–7 81
77 Mar 26 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–4 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden (IV) 38–32–7 83
78 Mar 30 Hartford Whalers 9–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 38–33–7 83
April: 2–0–0 (Home: 1–0–0 ; Road: 1–0–0), 4 Points
# Apr Time (ET) Visitor Score Home Location Record Points
79 Apr 1 New York Rangers 2–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena 39–33–7 85
80 Apr 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 6–5 OT Philadelphia Flyers The Spectrum 40–33–7 87
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Tie

Playoffs

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After six frustrating and disappointing seasons, the Penguins finally managed to get into the playoffs for the first time since the 1981–82 season. They swept New York Rangers in the Semifinals, but lost to their rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers in seven games.

Playoff log

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1989 Stanley Cup playoffs
Patrick Division semi-finals vs No. 3 New York Rangers: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT PIT goals NYR goals Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 April 5 N.Y. Rangers 1–3 Pittsburgh Coffey (2),
Quinn
Sandstrom Barrasso (1–0) 16,025 1–0
2 April 6 N.Y. Rangers 4–7 Pittsburgh Stevens, Brown, Callander, Bourque,
Cunneyworth, Zalapski, Lemieux (en)
Lafleur, Leetch, Ogrodnick, Wilson Barrasso (2–0) 16,025 2–0
3 April 8 Pittsburgh 5–3 N.Y. Rangers Lemeiux, Cullen, Stevens,
Quinn (2)
Granato, Ogrodnick, Sandstrom Barrasso (3–0) 17,498 3–0
4 April 9 Pittsburgh 4–3 N.Y. Rangers Lemieux, Bourque,
Brown
Sandstrom, Leetch (2) Barrasso (4–0) 17,403 4–0
Patrick Division finals vs No. 4 Philadelphia Flyers: 3–4 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–2)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT PIT goals PHI goals Decision Attendance Series Recap
1 April 17 Philadelphia 3–4 Pittsburgh Lemieux, Quinn, Cullen,
Brown
Poulin, Kerr, Propp Barrasso (5–0) 16,025 1–0
2 April 19 Philadelphia 4–2 Pittsburgh Quinn, Lemieux Kerr (3),
Propp
Barrasso (5–1) 16,025 1–1
3 April 21 Pittsburgh 4–3 Philadelphia 12:08 Lemieux, Quinn, Callander,
Bourque
Poulin, Acton, Propp Barrasso (6–1) 17,423 2–1
4 April 23 Pittsburgh 1–4 Philadelphia Cullen Poulin,
Kerr (2), Carkner
Barrasso (6–2) 17,423 2–2
5 April 25 Philadelphia 7–10 Pittsburgh Lemieux (3), Errey, Lemieux, Loney,
Stevens, Brown (2), Lemieux (en)
Bullard, Eklund, Propp, Smith, Kerr, Eklund, Kerr Barrasso (7–2) 16,025 3–2
6 April 27 Pittsburgh 2–6 Philadelphia Cunneyworth (2) Kerr (2),
Smith, Sutter, Smith, Propp
Barrasso (7–3) 17,423 3–3
7 April 29 Philadelphia 4–1 Pittsburgh Lemieux Propp,
Poulin, Bullard, Mellanby (en)
Barrasso (7–4) 16,025 3–4
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Playoff series win

Player statistics

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Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular Season[6]
Player GP TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barrasso 44 2406:21 18 15 7 162 4.04 1441 0.888 0 0 5 49
Wendell Young 22 1150:18 12 9 0 92 4.80 673 0.863 0 0 2 4
Steve Guenette 11 573:53 5 6 0 41 4.29 308 0.867 0 0 1 0
Frank Pietrangelo 15 669:20 5 3 0 45 4.03 408 0.890 0 0 0 2
Rick Tabaracci 1 33:05 0 0 0 4 7.25 21 0.810 0 0 0 2
Total 4832:57 40 33 7 344 4.27 2851 0.879 0 0 8 57
Playoffs[7]
Player GP TOI W L T GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Tom Barrasso 11 631:10 7 4 0 40 3.80 388 0.897 0 0 1 8
Wendell Young 1 38:38 0 0 0 1 1.55 11 0.909 0 0 0 0
Total 669:48 7 4 0 41 3.68 399 0.897 0 0 1 8

Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.

Awards and records

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  • Paul Coffey, Defence, NHL First All-Star Team
  • Mario Lemieux, Center, NHL First All-Star Team
  • Mario Lemieux, Art Ross Trophy
  • Mario Lemieux, Center, NHL First All-Star Team
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 100 assists in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 6–8 loss to Hartford on February 26.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 170 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 2–3 loss to Los Angeles on March 7.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 180 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 2–8 loss to Boston on March 14.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 110 assists in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 2–7 loss to Minnesota on March 20.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 190 points in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 6–4 win over New York on March 27.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 80 goals in a season for the Penguins. He did so in a 5–9 loss to Hartford on March 30.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 400 assists for the Penguins. He did so in a 6–8 loss to Hartford on February 26.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 700 points for the Penguins. He did so in a 4–5 loss to Washington on March 22.
  • Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for goals (85), assists (114) and points (199) in a season. He had set all three records the previous season.
  • Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for assists (415) and points (715). He broke the previous records of 349 assists (Syl Apps Jr.) and 636 points (Rick Kehoe)
  • Paul Coffey established a new franchise record for goals (30), assists (83) and points (113) in a season by a defenseman. He broke the records of 16 goals, 67 assists and 83 points all set by Randy Carlyle in 1981.
  • Rod Buskas established a new franchise record for penalty minutes (946). He broke the previous records of 871 PIM held by Bryan Watson.
  • Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for highest plus-minus in a season (+41). He broke the previous high of +36 set by Lowell MacDonald in 1973.
  • Mario Lemieux, NHL Record, Most Shorthanded Goals, One Season (13) [8]

Transactions

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Trades

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September 1, 1988 To Philadelphia Flyers

1990 3rd round pick

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Wendell Young
1990 7th round pick

October 3, 1988 To Buffalo Sabres

Wayne Van Dorp

To Pittsburgh Penguins

1990 7th round pick

November 1, 1988 To Minnesota North Stars

rights to Rob Gaudreau

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Richard Zemlak

November 12, 1988 To Buffalo Sabres

Doug Bodger
Darrin Shannon

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Tom Barrasso
1990 3rd round pick

December 17, 1988 To Minnesota North Stars

Steve Gotaas
Ville Siren

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Scott Bjugstad
Gord Dineen

January 9, 1989 To Calgary Flames

Steve Guenette

To Pittsburgh Penguins

1989 6th round pick

March 6, 1989 To Los Angeles Kings

Pat Mayer

To Pittsburgh Penguins

Tim Tookey

Player signings

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Player Date Contract terms
John Cullen June 21, 1988 Unknown
Mark Recchi August 17, 1988 Multi-year contract
Steve Guenette August 29, 1988 Multi-year contract
Darrin Shannon September 7, 1988 Multi-year contract
Bruce Racine September 21, 1988 Multi-year contract
Mario Lemieux November 1, 1988 1 year/$1.6 million
Dan Quinn November 5, 1988 Multi-year contract
Jamie Leach March 22, 1989 Multi-year contract
Dave Michayluk May 24, 1989 Unknown

Other

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Player Date Details
Pierre Creamer June 14, 1988 Replaced as head coach
Gene Ubriaco June 28, 1988 Hired as head coach
Dave Hunter October 3, 1988 Sent to Oilers as compensation for claiming Dave Hannan in waiver draft

Draft picks

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Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1988 NHL entry draft.[9]

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 4 Darrin Shannon L  Canada Windsor Compuware Spitfires (OHL)
2 25 Mark Major L  Canada North Bay Centennials (OHL)
3 62[a] Daniel Gauthier L  Canada Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
4 67 Mark Recchi R  Canada Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
5 88 Greg Andrusak D  Canada U. of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
7 130 Troy Mick L  Canada Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
8 151 Jeffrey Blaeser L  United States St. John's Prep (Mass H.S.)
9 172 Robert Gaudreau C  United States Bishop Hendricken H.S. (RI)
10 193 Donald Pancoe L  Canada Hamilton Steelhawks (OHL)
11 214 Cory Laylin L  United States St. Cloud Apollo H.S. (Minn.)
12 235 Darren Stolk D  Canada Lethbridge Broncos (WHL)
S 4 Paul Polillo C  Canada Western Michigan University (CCHA)
S 9 Shawn Lillie C  Canada Colgate University (ECAC)
Draft notes[10]

References

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  1. ^ "1988-89 NHL Summary".
  2. ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 153. ISBN 9781894801225.
  3. ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  4. ^ "1988–1989 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  5. ^ "1988–1989 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  6. ^ "1988–1989 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  7. ^ "1988–1989 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  8. ^ National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p.181, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-920445-98-5
  9. ^ "NHL entry draft Year by Year Results". NHL.com.
  10. ^ "1988 NHL Entry Draft Pending Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions.