Ciccarelli's NHL debut came during the 1980-81 season, and he quickly established himself as a prolific goal scorer. In his rookie season, he scored 32 goals and added 43 assists in just 63 games. His performance in the playoffs was equally impressive, as he scored 14 goals and helped lead the North Stars to the Stanley Cup Finals. Although they fell short against the New York Islanders, Ciccarelli's playoff performance set a rookie record for goals in a single postseason.
Throughout his career, Ciccarelli was known for his fearless play in front of the net, where he excelled at deflecting shots and capitalizing on rebounds. His ability to score from close range made him a constant threat to opposing goaltenders. Over the next several seasons with the North Stars, he consistently ranked among the team's top scorers, reaching the 50-goal mark twice.
In 1988, Ciccarelli was traded to the Washington Capitals, where he continued to demonstrate his scoring prowess. During his time with the Capitals, he recorded two 40-goal seasons and became a fan favorite for his gritty style of play. His tenure in Washington further solidified his reputation as one of the league's most reliable goal scorers.
Ciccarelli's career took another turn in 1992 when he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. Playing for his home province team, he continued to be a productive offensive player. His time with the Red Wings included several deep playoff runs, although a Stanley Cup championship eluded him during his tenure there.
In 1996, Ciccarelli joined the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he played for two seasons before finishing his career with the Florida Panthers. Even in the later stages of his career, he remained an effective scorer, reaching the 600-goal milestone in 1998. Ciccarelli retired from professional hockey in 1999, leaving behind a legacy of goal-scoring excellence.
Over the course of his NHL career, Ciccarelli played in 1,232 regular-season games, scoring 608 goals and adding 592 assists for a total of 1,200 points. His playoff statistics were equally impressive, with 73 goals and 118 points in 141 games. Despite his achievements, Ciccarelli's career was not without controversy, as his aggressive style of play sometimes led to disciplinary actions.
In 2010, Ciccarelli was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, an honor that recognized his outstanding career and contributions to the sport.
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