Dennis Maruk is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 14 seasons. He was born on November 17, 1955, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Maruk began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) with the London Knights in 1973. He was drafted by the California Golden Seals in the second round of the 1975 NHL Entry Draft.
Maruk played for the Golden Seals for two seasons before being traded to the Cleveland Barons in 1977. He played for the Barons for one season before they merged with the Minnesota North Stars. Maruk played for the North Stars for two seasons before being traded to the Washington Capitals in 1981.
Maruk had his best seasons with the Capitals, where he played for five seasons. He set the Capitals' single-season record for goals and points in the 1981-82 season with 60 goals and 136 points. He was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team that season. Maruk also set the Capitals' single-season record for assists in the 1982-83 season with 76 assists.
Maruk was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1985 and played for them for two seasons before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 1987. He played for the Jets for one season before retiring from the NHL in 1989.
Maruk played in a total of 888 NHL games, scoring 356 goals and 522 assists for 878 points. He was known for his speed and scoring ability, as well as his toughness on the ice. Maruk was also a skilled playmaker and was able to set up his teammates for goals.
After retiring from the NHL, Maruk played in Europe for a few seasons before retiring from professional hockey in 1993. He then became a coach and worked with several minor league teams. Maruk was inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Washington Capitals Hall of Fame in 2017.
In addition to his hockey career, Maruk is also known for his charitable work. He has worked with several organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Maruk has also written a book about his hockey career, titled "Dennis Maruk: The Unforgettable Story of Hockey's Forgotten 60-Goal Man."
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