Since debuting in the NHL in 1983-84, defenceman Marty McSorley has developed into one of the toughest customers in the game. His ability to rush with the puck and utilize a quick shot from the point has made him a prominent member of several NHL clubs. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, McSorley played OHA Junior D with the Cayuga Wings but jumped up to Junior B with the Kilty B's in his home town. In July 1982, he signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins while he was in the midst of a fine two-year career with the OHL's Belleville Bulls. McSorley played 72 games for the woeful Penguins in 1983-84 but spent most of the next season in the minors. In 1985, he was picked up by the Edmonton Oilers and was an important physical deterrent when the club dominated the NHL through the regular season. The next year, he experienced the euphoria of a Stanley Cup win and contributed four playoff goals in addition to muscle. In 1987-88, McSorley scored nine goals and played in a variety of situations for the Oilers when they repeated as Cup Champs.



McSorley was part of the monumental trade of Wayne Gretzky to the L.A. Kings in August 1988. He spent five years providing offense, grit, and a winning attitude on his new club. In 1993, he was a key factor with ten points as the Kings reached the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in franchise history. Unfortunately, it was a penalty called against him for using an illegal stick that changed the momentum in the series in favour of the Montreal Canadiens. The veteran scrapper toiled briefly for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1993-94 before he was re-acquired by the Kings. He later played for a series of clubs including the Boston Bruins in 1999-2000. On February 21, 2000, he made headlines by knocking out Vancouver's Donald Brashear with a high stick. McSorley was suspended from playing pro a year. Since his suspension ended he was unable to gain a contract from an NHL club and suited up with the IHL's Grand Rapids Griffins in 2000-01 and played 14 games before he decided to end his playing career. Upon retiring as a player, McSorley was hired as head coach of the AHL Springfield Falcons in the summer of 2002.