Jeff Finley is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 15 years. He was born on April 14, 1967, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 1983.
Finley was known for his defensive skills and physical play on the ice. He was drafted by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut with the team in the 1986-87 season. He played for the Islanders for three seasons before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 1990.
Finley played for the Jets for two seasons before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres in 1992. He played for the Sabres for three seasons before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1995. He played for the Rangers for two seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1997.
Finley played for the Blues for six seasons and was a key member of their defensive corps. He helped the team reach the playoffs in five of those six seasons and was a part of the team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2001. He also served as an alternate captain for the team during his time in St. Louis.
After leaving the Blues in 2003, Finley signed with the Detroit Red Wings for the 2003-04 season. He played in 29 games for the team before retiring from professional hockey at the end of the season.
In total, Finley played in 708 NHL games over his career, scoring 36 goals and 140 assists for 176 points. He was known for his physical play and defensive skills, and was a key member of several successful NHL teams.
After retiring from hockey, Finley worked as a scout for the Los Angeles Kings and later for the Detroit Red Wings. He also served as an assistant coach for the Red Wings during the 2011-12 season.
Overall, Jeff Finley had a successful career as a professional hockey player, playing for several NHL teams and earning a reputation as a strong defensive player. He was a key member of several successful teams and helped his teams reach the playoffs on multiple occasions.
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