Shot Right Role Ice hockey player Career end 1978 Name Joe Zanussi Career start 1968 | Playing career Weight 84 kg NHL Draft Undrafted Height 1.78 m Positions Defenseman | |
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Joseph Lawrence Zanussi (born September 25, 1947 in Rossland, British Columbia) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played 149 games in the World Hockey Association and 87 games in the National Hockey League. Zanussi's skating ability and agility earned him the nicknames 'Crazy Legs' and 'Tazmanian Devil' and although small for a pro hockey defenseman, Zanussi was a good bodychecker and possessed a big shot. His only hockey card noted that he had a big smile. He signed originally with the Detroit Red Wings and played with the New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, and Boston Bruins. He was part of the 1975 trade that brought Phil Esposito to the Rangers and sent Brad Park and Jean Ratelle to the Bruins. Zanussi led the AHL in scoring at the time, with 19 points through 11 games.
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Career highlights
1967-68: 1st league captain of the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Canadian Junior Hockey League; member of the 1968 Estevan Bruins, 1968 Memorial Cup Champions.
1970-71: CHL MVP (tie); CHL 2nd team all star; team sportsmanship award; CHL best defenseman.
1972-73: Assisted on first ever Winnipeg Jets regular season WHA goal.
1973-74: Winnipeg Jets most exciting player as voted by the fans.
1974-75: Eddie Shore Award (AHL Best Defenseman); MVP Runner Up; 1st team all star; Providence Reds team MVP and Defensive awards.
1977-78: CHL 1st team all star; Salt Lake Golden Eagles best defenseman.
Trades
May 24, 1972: Traded to the New York Rangers by the Detroit Red Wings along with the Red Wings first round choice in the 1972 draft (#10 overall, Rangers selected Al Blanchard) in exchange for Gary Doak and Rick Newell.
Nov. 7, 1975: Traded to the Boston Bruins by the New York Rangers along with Jean Ratelle and Brad Park in exchange for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais.
Dec. 20, 1976: Traded to the St. Louis Blues by the Boston Bruins in exchange for Rick Smith.