Docs Menu

Greg Joly

Born:May 30, 1954Draft:1974 Capitals, 1st Overall
Hometown:Rocky Mountain House, AB, CANPosition:D
Known For:First Overall PickShoots:Left
National Team:CanadaCurrent Team:Retired

Gregory James Joly (born May 30, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who was drafted first overall in the 1974 NHL amateur draft by the Washington Capitals from the Regina Pats. Washington’s general manager, Milt Schmidt, referred to Joly at the time as “the next Bobby Orr, but after playing 365 National Hockey League (NHL) games over the course of nine seasons for Washington (1974–76) and the Detroit Red Wings (1976–83), he was out of the NHL by the age of 28. Joly is considered to have been a draft bust. Joly scored the last goal at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium.

Joly was born in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.

Greg Joly
Greg Joly with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1970s (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Greg Joly Statistics

Deeper Dive

Achievements

  • WCHL First All-Star Team — 1972-73
  • CHL Memorial Cup Champion — 1973-74
  • CHL Memorial Cup Most Valuable Player (Stafford Smythe Trophy) — 1973-74
  • WCHL First All-Star Team (Tie) — 1973-74
  • AHL Calder Cup Champion — 1980-81
  • AHL Second All-Star Team — 1983-84
  • AHL First All-Star Team — 1984-85
  • AHL Calder Cup Champion — 1985-86

Sources