Hi, this is Fred Wallace with Off the Wire, brought to you by your local Auto Logic…the Logical Choice.
Around this time in the Spring of 1990, I distinctly remember going into Terney’s in downtown Owen Sound and getting a copy of The Hockey News Magazine.
The cover story was titled, ” The Four Aces ” and was a preview of the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
I found the cover intriguing because three of the 4 ” Aces ” were OHL players and Owen Sound was in their very first year of existence.
As it turned out months later, the Four Aces did in fact go 1-2-3-4 in Draft.
Owen Nolan of the Cornwall Royals went 1st overall to Quebec.
Petr Nedved was selected 2nd by Vancouver
Keith Primeau of the Niagara Falls Thunder went 3rd to Detroit
And the # 4 selection was Mike Ricci of Peterborough who was chosen by the Philadelphia Flyers.
All 4 of the Aces played NHL Hockey well into their 30’s.
The rugged Nolan played until 2010.
The Czech Nedved played until 2007.
Injuries forced the hulking Primeau to retire in 2006.
And Ricci, like Nedved, played until 2007.
The interesting aspect of the Four Aces upon reflection is that while each of them had exceptional NHL careers, the # 5 pick in the 1990 Draft belonged to Pittsburgh who took……Jaromir Jagr.
Jagr, now 44 years of age, bypassed Gordie Howe this week for 3rd place on the NHL’s all time scoring list and should easily bypass Mark Messier for 2nd all time IF Jagr suits up next year.
Still, one wonders how the fortunes of Quebec, Vancouver, Detroit or Philadelphia may have been altered had Jagr been among the Four Aces of 1990.
I’m Fred Wallace