Jay Wells is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 18 seasons. He was born on November 18, 1959, in Paris, Ontario, Canada. Wells began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Hamilton Fincups in 1976. He played for the Fincups for two seasons before being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
Wells made his NHL debut with the Kings in the 1979-80 season and played for them for six seasons. He was known for his physical play and defensive skills, which made him a valuable player for the Kings. In 1986, Wells was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1988.
Wells played for the Rangers for four seasons and was a key player in their 1994 Stanley Cup championship team. He was known for his leadership skills and was named an alternate captain for the Rangers. After his stint with the Rangers, Wells played for the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Pittsburgh Penguins before retiring in 1997.
Throughout his career, Wells played in 1,089 NHL games, scoring 47 goals and 163 assists for a total of 210 points. He was also known for his physical play and amassed 1,715 penalty minutes. Wells was a reliable defenseman who was often tasked with shutting down the opposing team's top players.
After retiring from playing, Wells became a coach and worked as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Islanders. He also worked as a head coach for the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers and the AHL's Springfield Falcons.
In addition to his coaching career, Wells has also been involved in various charitable organizations. He has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, among others.
Overall, Jay Wells had a successful career as a professional ice hockey player, known for his physical play and defensive skills. He was a valuable player for the teams he played for and was a key player in the New York Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup championship team. After retiring from playing, Wells continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and has also been involved in various charitable organizations.
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