On This Date in Sports November 11, 1986: Dino 20 in 15
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
Dino Ciccarelli of the Minnesota North Stars continues his record-breaking start, scoring twice in a 2-2 tie against the Washington Capitals at the Met Center in Bloomington. Ciccarelli’s 20th goal in Minnesota’s 15th game set a new modern-day record in the NHL for the fastest to 20 goals. Despite the start of Ciccarelli, the North Stars are unable to take advantage as they hold a record of 5-8-2.
Dino Ciccarelli was born on February 8, 1960; he became a star for the Minnesota North Stars right away despite not being drafted after playing in the OHL with the London Knights. In 32 regular-season games with the North Stars at the end of the 1980/81 season, Ciccarelli had 18 goals and 12 assists. As the North Stars made a run to the Stanley Cup Finals, Dino Ciccarelli was a big spark, setting a record for most points (21) and most goals (14) by a rookie. The North Stars would come up short in their quest for the Stanley Cup, losing to the New York Islanders in the finals.
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In his first full NHL season, Dino Ciccarelli continued the momentum from the Stars playoff run, scoring 55 goals with 51 assists, as he ranked among the top scorers in the NHL. Over the next three years, Ciccarelli saw a decrease in production. However, he found the scoring touch again in the 1985/86 season with 44 goals and 45 assists in 75 games. After his fast start in the 1986/87 season, where he scored 20 goals and games, Ciccarelli posted his second career 50-goal season. Dino Ciccarelli would finish the season with 52 goals and 51 assists. Despite Ciccarelli’s best efforts, the Minnesota North Stars missed the playoffs, a record of 30-40-10.
Dino Ciccarelli would play in Minnesota until the trade deadline of the 1988/89 season. In nine seasons with the North Stars, Ciccarelli would score 332 goals. In parts of four seasons with the Washington Capitals, he would score 112 goals. Dino Ciccarelli moved on to play for the Detroit Red Wings, scoring another 107 goals in four seasons as he reached the 500-goal milestone on January 8, 1994, against the Los Angeles Kings. Ciccarelli finished his career playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. After retiring with 608 goals in 1999, Dino Ciccarelli had a long wait to get in the Hall of Fame, as he did not get inducted until 2010, his eighth year of eligibility. It was rumored off-ice troubles led to his delay in getting into the Hockey Hall of Fame.