Right-winger Steve Larmer was a classy goal scorer who led by example on the ice during his 1,006 games in the NHL. His excellent on ice vision and quick hands made him a dangerous foe around the net as well as pesky defensive player.
Born in Peterborough, Ontario, Larmer spent the 1977-78 season with the hometown Petes of the OHA. He then played three years with the Niagara Falls Flyers where he formed a lethal team with Steve Ludzik. Larmer accumulated 247 points his last two years of junior and was drafted 120th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He was also named to the OHA's second all-star team in 1981.
After scoring 38 goals and helping the AHL's New Brunswick Hawks win the Calder Cup in 1981-82, Larmer was ready for the NHL. The talented forward was also named to the league's second all-star team. He made a dramatic impact as a rookie in 1982-83 with 43 goals, while his 90 points set a new standard for Hawks' freshman. He played on one of the top lines in the NHL with Denis Savard and Al Secord, and helped Chicago reach the semi-final. At season's end Larmer's strong play was rewarded when was named winner of the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie and named to the all-rookie team.
Throughout the 1980s and early '90s, Larmer was a reliable goal scorer on the Blackhawks who could also check and provide leadership. In addition to his rookie year, he topped the 40-goal mark four more times. In 1990-91, he set a club mark for right wingers with 101 points and helped the team finish at the top of the NHL's regular season standings. Larmer also scored 22 points when the Hawks reached the semi-final in 1985 and was an integral part of the team that made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992. One of the league's most durable competitors, the crafty forward set the Chicago "iron man" record by playing 884 consecutive games between October 6, 1982 and April 15, 1993.
Larmer was also an asset on the international stage. In 1991 he helped Canada win the silver medal at the World Championships and capture the fifth and last Canada Cup. Early in the 1993-94 season, he was traded to the Hartford Whalers and then flipped to the New York Rangers a moments later. The veteran notched 21 goals, killed penalties, and helped the Blueshirts win their first Stanley Cup since 1940. He brought his fine career to a close after playing 47 games for New York and helping the team reach the second round of the playoffs in 1995.
