Mark Napier is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 11 seasons. He was born on January 28, 1957, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Napier started his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Toronto Marlboros in 1974. He played for the Marlboros for two seasons and was a key player in their Memorial Cup championship in 1975.
In 1977, Napier was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, 10th overall. He made his NHL debut in the 1977-78 season and played for the Canadiens for four seasons. During his time with the Canadiens, Napier was part of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 1979. He was known for his speed and offensive skills, and he was a consistent scorer for the Canadiens.
In 1981, Napier was traded to the Minnesota North Stars, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Edmonton Oilers for two seasons, where he won his second Stanley Cup in 1985. Napier was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in 1986, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 1988. He played his final NHL season with the Los Angeles Kings in 1989.
Throughout his NHL career, Napier played in 760 games and scored 361 goals and 456 assists for a total of 817 points. He was a four-time NHL All-Star and was known for his speed and offensive skills. Napier was also a member of Team Canada in the 1981 Canada Cup, where he helped Canada win the championship.
After retiring from the NHL, Napier became involved in coaching and player development. He served as an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators and the Edmonton Oilers and was the head coach of the Canadian Women's National Team from 1999 to 2001. Napier also worked as a scout for the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers.
In addition to his hockey career, Napier is also known for his work as an advocate for mental health. He has spoken publicly about his own struggles with depression and anxiety and has worked to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Overall, Mark Napier had a successful NHL career, playing for several teams and winning two Stanley Cups. He was known for his speed and offensive skills and was a consistent scorer throughout his career. After retiring from the NHL, Napier continued to be involved in hockey as a coach and scout and has also worked to raise awareness about mental health.
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