Rich Pilon was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on April 30, 1968, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Pilon began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince Albert Raiders in 1985. He played for the Raiders for three seasons and was known for his physical style of play.
In 1988, Pilon was drafted by the New York Islanders in the seventh round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Islanders in the 1988-89 season and played for the team for the next nine seasons. Pilon was known for his tough and physical style of play and was a fan favorite on Long Island. He was also a reliable defenseman and played in all situations for the Islanders.
In 1997, Pilon was traded to the New York Rangers, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Vancouver Canucks for two seasons before retiring from the NHL in 2002. Pilon played a total of 631 NHL games, scoring 10 goals and 70 assists for 80 points. He also accumulated 1,808 penalty minutes, which is the 11th highest total in NHL history.
Pilon was known for his toughness and willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was involved in many fights during his career and was one of the most feared enforcers in the NHL. Despite his tough reputation, Pilon was also a respected teammate and leader in the locker room.
After retiring from the NHL, Pilon became a coach and worked with the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL. He also worked as a scout for the Islanders and was involved in player development for the team. Pilon was inducted into the Prince Albert Raiders Hall of Fame in 2015.
In conclusion, Rich Pilon was a tough and physical defenseman who played in the NHL for over a decade. He was known for his willingness to stand up for his teammates and was one of the most feared enforcers in the league. Pilon played for the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks during his career and accumulated over 1,800 penalty minutes. After retiring from the NHL, Pilon became a coach and scout and was inducted into the Prince Albert Raiders Hall of Fame in 2015.
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