Kelly Buchberger is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 18 seasons. He was born on December 2, 1966, in Langenburg, Saskatchewan, Canada. Buchberger started his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Moose Jaw Warriors in 1983. He played for the Warriors for three seasons before being drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the ninth round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.
Buchberger made his NHL debut with the Oilers in the 1985-86 season. He quickly established himself as a hard-working, physical player who was willing to do whatever it took to help his team win. Buchberger played a key role in the Oilers' success during the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning two Stanley Cups with the team in 1987 and 1990.
Buchberger was known for his leadership qualities and was named the captain of the Oilers in 1995. He held the position for six seasons, becoming one of the longest-serving captains in team history. Buchberger's leadership was instrumental in guiding the Oilers to the playoffs in 1997, their first appearance in five years.
In 1999, Buchberger was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers, where he played for one season before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings. He played for the Kings for two seasons before being traded back to the Oilers in 2002. Buchberger played his final two seasons with the Oilers before retiring in 2004.
Throughout his career, Buchberger was known for his physical play and willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was also a reliable penalty killer and a strong defensive forward. Buchberger finished his NHL career with 105 goals, 204 assists, and 2,297 penalty minutes in 1,182 games.
After retiring from playing, Buchberger remained involved in hockey as a coach. He served as an assistant coach for the Oilers from 2004 to 2014, helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006. Buchberger also served as the head coach of the Oilers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, from 2010 to 2014.
In 2014, Buchberger left the Oilers to become an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes. He spent two seasons with the Coyotes before being hired as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres in 2016. Buchberger currently serves as an assistant coach for the Sabres.
In conclusion, Kelly Buchberger had a successful career as a hard-working, physical player in the NHL. He was a key contributor to the Edmonton Oilers' success during the late 1980s and early 1990s and was known for his leadership qualities. After retiring from playing, Buchberger remained involved in hockey as a coach and has continued to have success in that role.
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