Tim Kerr, a Canadian-born right winger, became a household name in the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 1980s and early 1990s. Born on January 5, 1960, in Windsor, Ontario, Kerr's journey to professional hockey began in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) with the Kingston Canadians. His performance there caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his signing with the Philadelphia Flyers as an undrafted free agent in 1980.
Kerr's NHL career took off with the Flyers, where he quickly established himself as a prolific goal scorer. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing over 230 pounds, his imposing physical presence on the ice was matched by his exceptional ability to find the back of the net. Kerr's breakout season came in 1983-84 when he scored 54 goals, marking the beginning of a remarkable period of goal-scoring prowess. Over the next four seasons, he consistently scored over 50 goals each year, including a career-high 58 goals in the 1985-86 season.
One of Kerr's most remarkable achievements was his performance on the power play. He became known for his ability to score from close range, often positioning himself in front of the net to capitalize on rebounds and deflections. This skill made him one of the most feared power-play specialists of his era. In the 1985-86 season, he set an NHL record by scoring 34 power-play goals, a record that stood for many years.
Kerr's contributions were instrumental in the Flyers' success during the mid-1980s. The team reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1985 and 1987, although they fell short of winning the championship on both occasions. Despite these setbacks, Kerr's performances were a highlight, and he was recognized as one of the league's elite goal scorers.
Injuries, however, began to take a toll on Kerr's career. He suffered from chronic shoulder problems, which required multiple surgeries and caused him to miss significant playing time. Despite these challenges, he demonstrated remarkable perseverance, returning to the ice and continuing to score goals at an impressive rate whenever he was healthy.
Kerr's tenure with the Flyers ended after the 1990-91 season. He was traded to the New York Rangers, but his time there was short-lived. He played only 32 games for the Rangers before being traded to the Hartford Whalers. Kerr's stint with the Whalers marked the end of his NHL career, as he retired after the 1992-93 season.
Throughout his career, Kerr played in 655 NHL games, scoring 370 goals and adding 304 assists for a total of 674 points. His goal-scoring ability, particularly on the power play, left a lasting legacy in the league. Kerr's achievements were recognized in 1994 when he was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame.
Off the ice, Kerr became involved in various business ventures, including owning and operating a successful bed and breakfast in Avalon, New Jersey. His post-hockey life also included charitable work, particularly in support of cancer research and awareness, inspired by personal experiences with the disease.
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