Dan Delianedis

4 NHL Games

October 16, 1987 New Jersey Devils vs Montreal Canadiens. 4-3 win.

October 17, 1987 New Jersey Devils vs Hartford Whalers. 3-4 loss.

October 21, 1987 New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins. 5-4 win.

October 23, 1987 New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders. 5-3 win.

   The New Jersey Devils started the 1987/88 NHL season with goalies Bob Sauve and Alain Chevrier in net. Sauve injured his shoulder in a game on October 10th and was forced to sit out for the rest of the month. The Devils recalled Craig Billington from the AHL for one game before returning him to the Utica Devils in return for Dan Delianedis. The Devils wanted top prospect Billington starting games in the AHL while Delianedis backed up Chevrier at the NHL level. "I feel good for him; he's deserved it," said Comets head coach Tom McVie about Delianedis. "He's done a tremendous job and he seems to be keeping both feet on the ground.  He isn't playing just any team, he's facing the Montreal Canadiens, a team with perhaps the most tradition in hockey." Delianedis was overjoyed with the opportunity, "I can't be any more ready," he said. Delianedis not only dressed against the Canadiens, he remained with the Devils over four games. Craig Billington was eventually recalled to take his place on the NHL roster and Delianedis was sent back down to the AHL. 

  Former coach Tom McVie called Dan Delianedis a success story for good reason. Delianedis spent four seasons at Colgate University. The first three he served as a backup and only earned the starting role in his final year of college. He played well enough to earn a pro contract in 1986 with the Mohawk Valley Comets of the now defunct Atlantic Coast Hockey League. He was an ACHL All-Star in his only season with the Comets and in 1987 the New Jersey Devils signed free agent Delianedis to an NHL contract.

  USA has only won the Spengler Cup once, and Dan Delianedis lead them to the title. He was lent to the tournament by the Utica Devils in 1988 and backstopped the USA Selects all the way to the title. He was named tournament MVP for his performance. 

  Delianedis moved to Minnesota after retiring from hockey. He's spent many years as a volunteer goalie coach at local high schools. 

• Wore #34 with New Jersey Devils

Career stats from hockeydb.com

Born Jul 3 1964 -- Worcester, MA

Height 5.09 -- Weight 185

RS Scoring			RS Goalie Stats										PO Scoring
Season	Team	Lge	GP	A	PIM	Min	GA	EN	SO	GAA	W	L	T	Svs	Pct	GP	A	PIM
1982-83	Colgate University	ECAC	6	0	0	222	14	0	0	3.79	2	2	1
1983-84	Colgate University	ECAC	6	0	0	260	28	0	0	6.46	2	2	0
1984-85	Colgate University	ECAC	5	0	0	160	10	0	0	3.76	1	0	0
1985-86	Colgate University	ECAC	28	0	2	1583	118	0	0	4.49	13	13	2
1986-87	Mohawk Valley Comets	ACHL	35	0	8											12	0	6
1987-88	Utica Devils	AHL	22	0	12	1048	73	1	0	4.18	7	7	3	507	0.874	-	-	-
1988-89	Utica Devils	AHL	3	0	0	94	8	0	0	5.11	0	1	0	37	0.822	-	-	-
1989-90	Nashville Knights	ECHL	5	0	0	264	18	0	0	4.09	1	2	1	167	0.903	2	0	0

(1) October 16, 1987. Utica Observer-Dispatch.