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Defenceman Lee Fogolin, Jr. played over 900 NHL games for the Buffalo
Sabres and Edmonton Oilers. He was an imposing physical presence in his own
end and was capable of moving the puck up ice to help his team's transition
game.
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Born in Chicago,
Illinois, Fogolin
was a solid defender for the Oshawa Generals for two seasons before being
selected 11th overall in the 1974 Amateur Draft. As a rookie he played within
his means and helped the Sabres reach the Stanley Cup finals. In 1975-76 he
demonstrated more poise on the blueline and
recorded a plus/minus of +15. A few months later, he played two games for the
United States
at the inaugural Canada Cup.
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The rugged defender continued to supply grit and a bit of
offense to Buffalo
in the late 1970s but the team was unable to duplicate the post-season
success of 1975. He was exposed in the 1979 Expansion Draft and claimed by
the speedy Edmonton Oilers in the second round. The veteran blended in with
his new team's rapid transition game and while serving as a defensive
conscience in his own zone. His steady work with defense partner Colin
Campbell allowed the talented Oilers forwards to free wheel more often.
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Fogolin scored a
career-high 13 goals in 1980-81 then provided stability when the team became
a Stanley Cup contender the following season. He was an important factor on
the Oilers when they reached the finals in 1983 then won consecutive Stanley Cups in 1984
and 1985. By 1986-87, Edmonton
wanted to give youngsters Geoff Smith, Steve Smith, and Jeff Beukeboom more responsibility, so Fogolin
was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. He played nine games that year before
retiring after 13 big league seasons.
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