Ken Daneyko

Kenneth Stephen Daneyko (born April 17, 1964) is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman of Ukrainian origin who played his entire career (1983–2003) with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League, winning three Stanley Cup championships with the team. He has been affectionately nicknamed "Mr. Devil" by Devils fans, as he currently holds the franchise record for games played as a Devil with 1,283 games. Daneyko now provides color analysis alongside Steve Cangialosi during broadcasts of Devils games on MSG Plus.

Early years

Daneyko was born in Windsor, Ontario, but grew up in Edmonton, Alberta where he knew Mark Messier from a young age.

Playing career

Daneyko was drafted in the 1st round (18th overall) in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, the second pick of the New Jersey Devils after the franchise relocated from Colorado; when he was drafted the Devils had not yet chosen a team name. He spent several seasons in the minors before getting drafted, and played for the Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, as well as the Great Falls Americans, Spokane Flyers and Seattle Breakers of the Western Hockey League. He was called up to the Devils for the start of the 1983–84 season, but cracked his fibula during a game against the Hartford Whalers and missed over 40 games. After his injury healed, he was assigned to the Kamloops Junior Oilers of the WHL for the remainder of the season.