Link Gaetz
Link Gaetz ( born October 2, 1968 in Vancouver, British Columbia ) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defender who " Goon " made his mark as a so-called a name. During his career he played for the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League.
Career
Ever since he was seven years old, Link Gaetz played hockey in organized teams. 1986/87 he played in the Canadian Junior Football League WHL for the New Westminster Bruins, and for two unterklassige teams. He played rather inconspicuous and hardly caused a stir. It was not until the following season with the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL, he drew attention to himself. In 59 games, he got 29 points, but it was the 313 penalty minutes, which stood out.
He was soon in the NHL Entry Draft in 1988 selected by the Minnesota North Stars in the second round at position 40. Lou Nanne, former general manager of the team, commented on the selection in the Entry Draft later this: " In the first round we picked up Mike Modano to protect the franchise. Is picked in the second round Link to protect Mike Modano. In the third round we would have to get a lawyer to protect Link. "
1988/89 and 1989/90 came Gaetz total of 17 appearances in the National Hockey League, after which he only played in the farm teams of the North Stars. The summer of 1991 was with the San Jose Sharks a new NHL franchise, the Link Gaetz on the NHL Dispersal Draft 1991 undertook. He denied then the 1991/92 season at the Sharks and was there six goals and as many assists achieve. He also sat 326 minutes in the penalty box.
In April 1992, Gaetz was involved as a passenger in a serious car accident where he incurred a brain injury. The accident was a turning point in his career, for he never again reached the form in the NHL to play. In the fall of 1993 he was transferred for a decade round draft pick to the Edmonton Oilers, where he was only allowed for the farm team in the AHL on the ice. In the same year he first came into conflict with the law as he broke into the apartment of a former roommate, stole the TV and urinated on the bed.
In the following years he played in insignificant lower leagues and had to leave some of the teams ahead of schedule because of his lack of discipline. In 2001 he played in the Canadian province of Québec for small hockey team. In five years he was active for a total of seven teams and finished his career in 2005.
Link Gaetz was regarded as so-called " Goon ", whose main task is to protect the stars of their own team and players to foul the opposing team. So he set in the 1991/92 season with the San Jose Sharks with 326 penalty minutes in just 48 games a franchise record, which still exists today.