From the Archives: Hawerchuk's Dream Finally Comes True
“It has finally happened,” Hawerchuk said. “I’ve been waiting a long time. I’m glad I’m coming to Winnipeg. It’s been my dream. I can’t wait.”
The following THN Archive story by the late Harvey Rosen takes readers back to the time the 1981 NHL Draft, where the Winnipeg Jets selected both Dale Hawerchuk and Scott Arniel - who each went on to have sensational careers in Winnipeg.
(You can read all of THN’s new Archive by subscribing to the magazine.)
Hawerchuk's Dream Finally Comes True
July 1, 1981 – Vol. 34, Issue 35
By Harvey Rosen
Last season, when the time came for the Winnipeg Jets to make their selection in the first round of the National Hockey League’s Entry Draft, there was an element of suspense surrounding the proceedings, as onlookers wondered just who the Jets, picking second overall, would choose.
After the Montreal Canadiens snatched Doug Wickenheiser as the first pick overall, the Jets picked the player they had coveted all along, David Babych, a highly rated defenseman from the Portland Winter Hawks. Although the Jets ultimately got the player they wanted, there was much apprehension on the Jets’ part since the Canadiens kept silent about whom they wanted until just before they picked Wickenheiser.
This year’s plot, however, had no Alfred Hitchcock-style ending. To the surprise of no one, Jets’ general manager John Ferguson opened the draft proceedings by announcing that his organization was choosing center Dale Hawerchuk of Cornwall of the QMJHL.
Fergy conceded at a pre-draft news conference in Winnipeg in early June that there had been more than a few inquiries regarding the top pick in the draft.
He wasn’t, however, of a mind to trade a battleship for a half dozen rowboats. “I’ve been waiting for Dale for two years,” he admitted. “When I saw him as a 16-year-old in Brandon, I was sold on him then.”
Jets’ scouts, especially Tom Savage, have been shadowing the 5-11, 170-pound center like a private investigator on the trail of an unfaithful spouse. Savage, the eastern “bird dog” has watched Hawerchuk play 45 games.
“We’ve watched him off ice too. He’s genuine,” Savage added.
Will the Toronto native have much pressure on him during his freshman year? Well, that depends upon whether or not you rate the Oilers’ Wayne Gretzky, with whom Dale is being compared, as much of a talent.
“Dale’s got the same mannerisms,” said Ferguson. “He’s got great puck sense; he knows how to put his wingers in.”
The latter trait is well documented by the fact that in addition to scoring a league-leading 81 goals this past season, Hawerchuk was the premiere playmaker with 102 assists to easily outdistance Trois-Rivieres’ Alain Lemieux for the league scoring championship.
More important, Ferguson contended that the youngster can “control a game.” Then, without any trepidation in his voice, he added, “Look for Dale Hawerchuk to be a superstar within two years.”
The 18-year-old lefthanded shooter, while not surprised at the turn of events, was much relieved to finally learn that his selection as top player had officially become a reality.
“It has finally happened,” he said. “I’ve been waiting a long time. I’m glad I’m coming to Winnipeg. It’s been my dream. I can’t wait.”
Hawerchuk, a first team All Star and MVP in the Memorial Cup, won’t be making the trek to Winnipeg alone. The Jets were both surprised and elated to discover that when it was time to exercise their option for the first selection in round two of the lottery that Dale’s teammate, 18-year-old Scott Arniel, a center-left winger, was still unclaimed.
This had produced a dilemma for the organization since trading their 22nd pick overall for an established skater or goaltending had been considered very seriously.
Winnipeg’s scouting staff had Arniel, who scored 52 goals and 71 assists last year, ranked as a first rounder, as did several other entries.
The long-standing philosophy to build on youth dictated that the 6-1, 170-pound Memorial Cup star not be bypassed.
“He’ll come to camp, but I doubt he’ll make the big club this season,” said Ferguson. “We’ll be content to wait. He’s going to be a good one.”
The Kingston native is rated by many as an excellent skater and has improved rapidly in the past four months.
If there is going to be a surprise ending to the Jets’ 81-82 campaign, the two players from Cornwall must play key roles, especially Hawerchuk.
JETS JABBER: The Jets drafted two Canadian juniors, four players from the U.S. colleges, one each from Finland, Sweden, Czechoslo-vakia, and the U.S. High School ranks…The club was awarded a bonus pick after the 10 rounds were completed for reasons which have not been made public.