DAVE DUPLACEY

"SUPER DAVE"

CENTER        PRIMARY  ERA:  FIREWAGON   

GM: 1316 G: 789 A: 1287 PTS: 2076

Dave Duplacey's legacy in Major League Hockey (MLH) transcends the mere confines of statistics; it embodies the very essence of hockey greatness. Widely regarded as the pinnacle of athletic achievement within the league, Duplacey's name resonates as a beacon of excellence, an emblem of unrivaled skill, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of the game.

Across three storied decades from 1982 to 2003, Duplacey's journey through the realms of ice forged a legacy that echoes through the annals of hockey history. His name stands etched in the hallowed halls of the league, a testament to his unrivaled prowess and unparalleled achievements.

As the all-time leading scorer in MLH history, Duplacey's dominance on the ice knew no bounds. With a stick of lightning and a heart of thunder, he commanded the rink with a mastery that left adversaries awestruck and fans spellbound. His magical playmaking abilities, epitomized by the moniker "Super Dave," became the stuff of legend, weaving tales of glory and triumph with every flick of the puck.

Throughout his illustrious career, Duplacey amassed a treasure trove of accolades and awards that illuminated his path to greatness. He captured the coveted Diamond Trophy five times, cementing his status as the league's preeminent player. Year after year, he etched his name atop the leaderboard as the league's leading scorer, claiming the prestigious Leading Scorer title on six occasions.

In the heat of postseason battles, Duplacey's brilliance shone brightest, earning him the Tour Trophy thrice as the Playoff MVP. His versatility and defensive acumen garnered recognition with the Carrison Trophy for Best Two-Way Player, a testament to his all-around excellence on the ice.

While his journey took him across various teams, it was his tenure with the Denver Mountaineers that etched his name in the annals of immortality. Amidst the majestic peaks and icy slopes, Duplacey carved a legacy that transcended mere victories, leading the Mountaineers to three Victors Cups and propelling them to the zenith of hockey greatness.

Yet, Duplacey's tale extends far beyond the glitz and glamour of championships and accolades. His journey epitomizes the essence of dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the sport. His impact, both on and off the ice, reverberates through the ages, inspiring generations of players to reach for the stars and chase their dreams with unbridled passion.

As Dave Duplacey ascends to the revered ranks of the Hall of Heroes, his name shall forever be enshrined in the pantheon of hockey immortals. For he was not merely a player; he was a legend, an icon, and the embodiment of hockey greatness itself.

1.  The Legendary 1988 Season: 192 Points (Denver)

In the 1987-88 season, Dave Duplacey cemented his status as a superstar while playing for the Denver Mountaineers. He posted an astounding 192 points (58 goals, 134 assists) in 80 games, leading Denver to the top of the standings. His six-game streak of 3 or more points, culminating in a 5-assist performance against the New York Nationals, is still remembered as one of the most dominant stretches by any player in MLH history. Duplacey’s perfect blend of scoring and playmaking made this one of the league’s all-time great offensive seasons.

2.   50 Goals in 50 Games (1991 Season, Denver)

During the 1990-91 season, Duplacey etched his name into the history books by becoming the first player in MLH history to score 50 goals in his first 50 games of the season. On February 4, 1991, Duplacey notched his 50th goal for the Denver Mountaineers in a thrilling overtime win against the Hamilton Claws. He took a pinpoint pass, broke into the zone, and ripped a shot top shelf to clinch the historic goal and the game, solidifying his reputation as one of the deadliest goal scorers the league had ever seen.  

3. Four Goals in Game 7 (1997 Playoffs, Minneapolis)

In one of the defining games of his career, Duplacey led the Minneapolis Polars to victory in Game 7 of the 1997 playoff match-up against his former team the defending Victors Cup champion Denver Mountaineers.  Duplacey was traded from Denver before the 1995-96 season, after 13 seasons and 3 Cups, and had embraced a leadership role in Minneapolis, having seemingly lost a step or two.  In this unforgettable game, he scored all four goals for the Polars, including the overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory that sent them to the Conference Finals against eventual conference champion Toronto. His coast-to-coast rush to score the game-winner remains one of the most iconic moments in MLH playoff history. 

4.  10-Point Game (1985, Denver)

On November 12, 1985, Duplacey delivered one of the most mind-blowing individual performances in MLH history while playing for the Denver Mountaineers. In a blowout win against the Quebec City Emperors, Duplacey recorded 10 points—scoring 5 goals and adding 5 assists. His dominance was evident from the start, netting a hat trick in the first period and orchestrating the offense with pinpoint accuracy all night. The performance is still the gold standard for single-game brilliance.

5.  The 5-Assist Comeback (1999, New Jersey)

By 1999, Duplacey was playing for the New Jersey Generals, having been traded in 1998. On March 3, 1999, in a game against the Calgary Wranglers, New Jersey found themselves down 5-1 late in the second period. Duplacey took over the game, recording 5 assists in a stunning comeback win. His ability to see the ice and make precise plays under pressure brought the Generals back, eventually winning 6-5 in overtime. The defining assist came on a no-look pass, threading the needle for the game-winner, capping off one of the greatest comebacks in Generals history.

6.  777th Career Goal (2002, New Jersey)

On March 21, 2002, playing for the New Jersey Generals, Duplacey notched his 777th career goal, a number only he (at the time) had reached. He fired a trademark slapshot on a power play in a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Guardians, sending the New Jersey crowd into raptures. Though nearing the end of his career, Duplacey became the all time leading goal scorer in history.  His sense of timing and ability to deliver in big moments remained intact, as this historic milestone marked yet another chapter in his storied career.

7.  1988 Molson Cup: Dominance

In the 1988 Molson Cup, a best-on-best tournament featuring the top 12 hockey nations, Duplacey set the single tournament record for scoring. Representing Canada, he finished the tournament as the leading scorer with 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in just 7 games. Canada reached the final but fell to Sweden in a hard-fought match, with Duplacey’s offensive performance being a highlight. His playmaking ability and scoring touch were unmatched throughout the tournament.

8.  1982 Victors Cup Run: Rookie Heroics

Duplacey burst onto the scene as a rookie in 1982, and while he was young, his impact on Denver’s first-ever Victors Cup victory was profound. The Mountaineers entered the playoffs as underdogs but rode a wave of momentum to the Cup. One of the most memorable moments came in Game 4 of the Finals against the heavily favored Toronto Spectres.  Denver was trailing 3-2 late in the game, and it was Duplacey, the 19-year-old rookie, who found himself on the ice in crunch time. With just under two minutes left, Duplacey scored the tying goal off a brilliant pass from captain Blake Cunningham. In overtime, Duplacey assisted on the game-winner, solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer even at a young age. Denver went on to win the series in five games, with Duplacey finishing the playoffs with 24 points in 24 games, establishing himself as a rising star and winning the Tour Trophy as MVP of the playoffs.  

9.   1988 Victors Cup Run: The Captain’s Touch

In 1988, Duplacey captained the Mountaineers to their third Victors Cup in six years, and it was his leadership and timely scoring that made all the difference. The signature moment of the 1988 run came in Game 7 of the Finals. Tied 2-2 with under five minutes to go in the third period, Duplacey delivered the championship-winning goal with a laser wrist shot from the top of the circle, beating Montreal's legendary goalie Roy Casseaux. The goal gave Denver a 3-2 lead, and they held on to win their third Victors Cup. 

10.  1999 Atlantic Conference Semifinals: New Jersey vs. Toronto

The Spectres came into the series as one of the top teams in the Atlantic Conference, armed with a potent mix of young talent and veteran leadership. The storyline heading into the series was simple: could Toronto finally overcome the legendary Duplacey, who had made it a habit of eliminating them from the playoffs during his career?

Game 5: The Duplacey Show

With the series tied 2-2, Game 5 in Toronto would prove to be a turning point, and it’s remembered as one of Duplacey’s most iconic playoff performances. The game was an absolute thriller, and Duplacey was at the center of everything for the Generals. After a tight first two periods, the Spectres held a narrow 3-2 lead going into the final 10 minutes. That’s when Duplacey flipped the switch.

At 12:03 of the third period, Duplacey tied the game with a deft deflection off a point shot from Mark Thueter, sending the New Jersey bench into a frenzy  but Duplacey wasn’t done yet.

With just 47 seconds left in regulation, Duplacey broke Toronto’s heart again, scoring the go-ahead goal on a breakaway, slipping the puck through the legs of his former Denver teammate,  goaltender, Tommy Sink. The goal was classic Duplacey: reading the play, intercepting a pass in the neutral zone, and calmly finishing a 1-on-1 opportunity to give the Generals a 4-3 lead. New Jersey held on for the win, and the Spectres were left wondering how Duplacey had managed to steal yet another crucial game from them.

Duplacey finished the night with two goals and an assist, leading the Generals to victory and giving them a 3-2 series lead. 

Game 7: The Series Clincher

The series came down to a dramatic Game 7 in New Jersey, and once again, Duplacey was front and center. The game was tight, with both teams trading chances, but Duplacey seemed to be a step ahead of the Spectres all night. In the second period, he scored a power-play goal from his office near the faceoff circle, giving New Jersey a 2-1 lead. The Generals went on to win the game 3-1, knocking Toronto out of the Playoffs in what would be Duplacey's final match-up against the team he rooted for as a boy.