Kevin Hatcher

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Kevin Hatcher

| image =

| image_size = 230px

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|9|9}}

| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lb = 232

| position = Defense

| shoots = Right

| played_for = Washington Capitals
Dallas Stars
Pittsburgh Penguins
New York Rangers
Carolina Hurricanes

| ntl_team = USA

| draft = 17th overall

| draft_year = 1984

| draft_team = Washington Capitals

| career_start = 1984

| career_end = 2001

}}

Kevin John Hatcher (born September 9, 1966) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 17 seasons between 1984 and 2001 for the Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. He is the older brother of former NHL player Derian Hatcher, with whom he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame on October 21, 2010. Hatcher was born in Detroit, Michigan, but grew up in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Early life

Hatcher was born on September 9, 1966, in Detroit, Michigan, US{{cite web |title=Kevin Hatcher |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/21400/kevin-hatcher |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=January 30, 2025}} to Eric and Carol Hatcher.{{cite web |last1=Doyle |first1=Diane |title=Capitals Alumni Profile: Kevin Hatcher |url=https://novacapsfans.com/2018/01/28/capitals-alumni-profile-kevin-hatcher/ |website=novacapsfans.com |access-date=January 30, 2025 |date=January 28, 2018}} He grew up in Sterling Heights, Michigan alongside his brothers Mark and Derian and two younger sisters.{{cite news|last1=Gildea|first1=William|title=Capitals' Young Hatcher Makes Himself at Home |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1986/01/23/capitals-young-hatcher-makes-himself-at-home/788dc6cb-1dee-4323-aa09-026577b1d7a4/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Washington Post |date=January 22, 1986 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250131022821/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1986/01/23/capitals-young-hatcher-makes-himself-at-home/788dc6cb-1dee-4323-aa09-026577b1d7a4/ |archive-date=January 31, 2025}} While Eric was a semi-professional football player, he felt ice hockey was a better sport for kids than football. As such, Hatcher began playing organized hockey at the age of four.{{cite news |last1=Castine |first1=John |title=Hatcher's rating on the rise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-hatchers-rating-on-t/164339298/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |publisher=Detroit Free Press |date=June 3, 1984|via=newspapers.com}}

Playing career

=Amateur=

As a youth, Hatcher played in the 1979 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Michigan Hylanders.{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-01-15|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}} He then played for the Little Caesars 15U AAA team and Detroit Compuware Ambassadors while enrolled at Stevenson High School. As a member of the Ambassadors, he helped them win the 1983 Midget Nationals championships.{{cite news |title=Hot shots |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-hot-shots/164352119/|access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Detroit Free Press |date=April 21, 1983|via=newspapers.com}} Hatcher left the Ambassadors after his junior year at Stevenson.{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Terry |title=Macomb icer called in NHL first round |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-macomb-icer-called-in/164351837/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Detroit Free Press |date=June 21, 1984|via=newspapers.com}} upon being drafted by the North Bay Centennials of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).{{cite news |title=Centennials on U.S. squad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-bay-nugget-centennials-on-us-squ/164352337/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=North Bay Nugget |date=December 13, 1983}} He chose to play major junior hockey in Canada, rather than remain in Detroit, as he believed it would be the fastest route to the National Hockey League (NHL).{{cite news |last1=Fachet |first1=Robert |title=Hatcher: Right Direction in the North |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1984/11/17/hatcher-right-direction-in-the-north/29947250-f3bd-4d43-a92b-14206fe5332a/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Washington Post |date=November 16, 1984 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250131045909/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1984/11/17/hatcher-right-direction-in-the-north/29947250-f3bd-4d43-a92b-14206fe5332a/ |archive-date=January 31, 2025}} However, he had informed all OHL clubs prior to the 1983 OHL draft that he would only play in the league if the Centennials drafted him as they were the team his brother played for.{{cite news |last1=Umphrey |first1=Mike |title=Centennial brass please with results of OHL draft |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-bay-nugget-centennial-brass-please/164352834/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=North Bay Nugget |date=May 30, 1983|via=newspapers.com}}

Hatcher joined his brother Mark on the Centennials for the 1983–84 season and scored his first OHL goal on October 10, 1983, against the Toronto Marlboros.{{cite news |last1=Umphrey |first1=Mike |title=Marlies nip Centennials with overtime marker |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-bay-nugget-marlies-nip-centennials/164351775/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=North Bay Nugget |date=October 11, 1983|via=newspapers.com}} By the mid-point of his rookie season, Hatcher had tallied four goals and 20 assists through 36 games. As a result of his play, he was ranked 22nd amongst all eligible skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and was named to Team USA's roster for the 1984 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Hatcher improved his ranking by the end of the season to 17th overall after finishing with 10 goals and 39 assists. Due to his late birthday, Hatcher was the youngest player available in the 1984 NHL entry draft.{{cite news |title=Capitals sign Kevin Hatcher |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-news-capitals-sign-kevin-hat/164352181/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Evening Sun |date=September 7, 1984|via=newspapers.com}} He was subsequently drafted in the first round, 17th overall, by the Washington Capitals. Prior to the draft, Hatcher stated he would not mind being drafted by the Capitals as they told him they "let players learn from their mistakes."

After signing a contract with the Capitals on September 6, 1984, Hatcher participated in their training camp and scored five points through six preseason games.{{cite news |last1=McLellan |first1=John |title=Hatcher looking forward to professional career |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-bay-nugget-hatcher-looking-forward/164353106/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=North Bay Nugget |date=April 3, 1985|via=newspapers.com}} However, due to his young age and other strong players available, he was reassigned to the OHL for the 1984–85 season.{{cite news |last1=Lindquist |first1=Jerry |title=Caps face either/or with Hatcher |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-caps-face-either/164354285/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=October 5, 1984|via=newspapers.com}} As an 18-year old, Hatcher led all defensemen in regular-season scoring with 26 goals and 37 assists. He finished the 1985 OHL playoffs with five goals and eight assists{{cite news |title=Hatcher with Capitals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-bay-nugget-hatcher-with-capitals/164353140/|access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=North Bay Nugget |date=April 9, 1985|via=newspapers.com}} and was named to the OHL's Second All-Star Team.{{cite news |title=Centennials Abric, Hatcher make OHL's 2nd all-star team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-bay-nugget-centennials-abric-hatc/164353475/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=North Bay Nugget |date=April 16, 1985}}

=Washington Capitals=

The Washington Capitals recalled Hatcher to the NHL level for the final two games of the 1984–85 regular season. He made his NHL debut on April 6, 1985, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, as a replacement for an injured Peter Andersson. While he did not score any points, head coach Bryan Murray praised his stay-at-home defensive style of play.{{cite news |last1=Fachet |first1=Robert |title=Capitals Waste 4-0 Lead but Beat Penguins |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1985/04/07/capitals-waste-4-0-lead-but-beat-penguins/15a0ea1e-7a79-4ff8-a019-3a9351a8f518/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Washington Post |date=April 6, 1985 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250131210200/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1985/04/07/capitals-waste-4-0-lead-but-beat-penguins/15a0ea1e-7a79-4ff8-a019-3a9351a8f518/ |archive-date=January 31, 2025}} Hatcher played in his second game the following day and scored his first NHL goal.{{cite news |title=Caps expect war |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-caps-expect-war/164353421/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Star Democrat |date=April 9, 1985|via=newspapers.com}} At 18 years, 210 days old, Hatcher became the second youngest defensemen in franchise history to score his first NHL goal with the team.{{cite web |title=Washington Capitals Skater Records: Youngest Defensemen, First NHL Goal |url=https://records.nhl.com/wsh/records/skater-records/youngest-players/youngest-defensemen-first-nhl-goal |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 31, 2025}} As the Capitals qualified for the 1985 Stanley Cup playoffs, he made his postseason debut in their first round series against the New York Islanders.{{cite news |last1=Moriarty |first1=Tim |title=Caps' Hatcher Fits In Quickly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-caps-hatcher-fits-in-quickly/164339349/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Newsday |date=April 28, 1986 |page=83|via=newspapers.com}} At the age of 18 and seven months, Hatcher became the youngest player to appear in a playoff game.

Over the 1985 offseason, Hatcher worked on his strength and cardio abilities to boost his chances of making the Capitals opening night roster. The departures of Mike McEwen and Dave Shand over the offseason also opened up a spot on the Capitals 1985–86 roster for him.{{cite news |last1=Fachet |first1=Robert |title=Capitals' Hatcher Says He Belongs |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1985/09/14/capitals-hatcher-says-he-belongs/c1338035-5dc9-41f5-b0ad-d10d2031de4d/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Washington Post |date=September 13, 1985 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250131211941/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1985/09/14/capitals-hatcher-says-he-belongs/c1338035-5dc9-41f5-b0ad-d10d2031de4d/ |archive-date=January 31, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Land |first1=Peter |title=Defenseman McEwen Signs With Red Wings |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1985/08/13/defenseman-mcewen-signs-with-red-wings/a99fb729-1a94-4746-8776-d41b4d9e43a1/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |publisher=The Washington Post |date=August 12, 1985 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250201010518/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1985/08/13/defenseman-mcewen-signs-with-red-wings/a99fb729-1a94-4746-8776-d41b4d9e43a1/ |archive-date=February 1, 2025}} Hatcher finished his rookie season with nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points. He later credited the defensive-mindedness of the team for making his transition to the NHL easier. As a result of his successful rookie season, the league named Hatcher to the 1986 NHL All-Rookie Team.{{cite news |title=NHL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-nhl-all-rookie-team/164421122/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Montreal Gazette |date=June 23, 1986|via=newspapers.com}}

Hatcher struggled to match his previous season's success in the 1986–87 season and drew immediate concerns from the coaching staff. They pinpointed the second week of training camp as the point at which Hatcher began to struggle. He began to improve in January after sitting as a healthy scratch for two games and working with assistant coach Terry Murray.{{cite news |last1=Fachet |first1=Robert |title=Capitals, Hatcher Looking Up |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1987/01/17/capitals-hatcher-looking-up/f9b40d17-aec6-42c7-960c-e2341270d32d/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |publisher=The Washington Post |date=January 17, 1987 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250201013024/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1987/01/17/capitals-hatcher-looking-up/f9b40d17-aec6-42c7-960c-e2341270d32d/ |archive-date=February 1, 2025}}

After representing the United States at the 1987 Canada Cup, Hatcher returned to the Capitals training camp for his third season with the team. However, the day before the start of the 1987–88 season, it was announced that he would miss the first three weeks due to a knee injury.{{cite news |title=Hatcher out for three weeks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-hatcher-out-for-three/164416381/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |publisher=The Star Democrat |date=October 8, 1987}} Hatcher played a vital role for the Capitals during the 1988 Stanley Cup playoffs. In their first round series against the Philadelphia Flyers, he set a franchise record for points by a defenceman in a single playoff series.{{cite web |last1=Harrison |first1=Doug |title=Stanley Cup notes: Malkin, Hagelin absent from Penguins workout |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/malkin-hagelin-stanley-cup-notes-1.4633323 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=January 31, 2025 |date=April 24, 2018}}

After tallying four goals and 19 assists through 43 games, Hatcher was selected to participate in the 1990 NHL All-Star Game.{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=James H. |title=Hatcher is Caps' only All-Star pick |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-hatcher-is-caps-only/164341223/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 10, 1990|via=newspapers.com}} He helped the Capitals advance to the 1990 Stanley Cup playoffs but suffered a knee injury in Game 5 of their series against the New York Rangers.{{cite news |last1=MacPeek |first1=Walt |title=Ranger notes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-ledger-ranger-notes/164340254/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Star Ledger |date=April 28, 1990|via=newspapers.com}} At the time of the injury, he had accumulated eight assists over 11 games.{{cite news |title=Capitals playoff statistics |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-capitals-playoff-statis/164420793/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Boston Globe |date=May 5, 1990|via=newspapers.com}} As a result of the injury, Hatcher sat out for the entirety of the Capitals series against the Boston Bruins.{{cite news |title=The killer knee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-the-killer-knee/164420876/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Daily News |date=May 27, 1990|via=newspapers.com}}

During the Capitals 1992–93 exhibition games, head coach Terry Murray made Hatcher a temporary captain. This extended into the regular season as Hatcher replaced Rod Langway as team captain while the latter was injured.{{cite news |last1=Sell |first1=Dave |title=Langway Hands 'C' To Hatcher |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/02/09/langway-hands-c-to-hatcher/218cd3a6-b741-48f9-b218-791c1a36c0b3/|access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Washington Post |date=February 8, 1993|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240610051840/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/02/09/langway-hands-c-to-hatcher/218cd3a6-b741-48f9-b218-791c1a36c0b3/|archive-date=June 10, 2024}} On January 13, 1993, Hatcher recorded three goals and an assist in a 5–4 win over the Rangers. He subsequently became the first Capitals defenseman to record a hat-trick and finished the season with a franchise record 34 goals.{{cite web |last1=Vogel |first1=Mike |title=Skate Shavings -- News and Notes from Caps' Morning Skate |url=https://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/skate-shavings-news-and-notes-from-caps-morning-skate-x6049 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 31, 2025 |date=January 13, 2024}} In February, Hatcher officially replaced Langway as team captain. In this role he reached the 30-goal mark and helped all Capitals defensemen set a new league record for most combined points by defensemen on one team.{{cite news |title=Capitals confusion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-capitals-confusion/164354619/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=The Baltimore Sun |date=March 25, 1993|via=newspapers.com}} He finished the season with 79 points to clinch second place on the Capitals all-time points list for defenseman in a single season.{{cite web |title=Washington Capitals Skater Records: Most Points, Defenseman, Season |url=https://records.nhl.com/wsh/records/skater-records/scoring-by-a-defenseman/most-points-defenseman-one-season |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 31, 2025}}

=Dallas Stars=

After refusing to sign with the Capitals, Hatcher was traded to the Dallas Stars on January 18, 1995 in exchange for Mark Tinordi and Rick Mrozik.{{cite news |title=Hatcher is seeing Stars after big deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald-hatcher-is-seeing-stars-a/164339516/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Calgary Herald |date=January 19, 1995|via=newspapers.com}}

=Pittsburgh Penguins=

Hatcher spent two seasons with the Stars before being traded to the Penguins in exchange for Sergei Zubov following the 1995–96 season. However, the Penguins had a difficult time informing him that he had been traded due to his affinity for remaining off the grid during the summer.{{cite news |last1=Molinari |first1=Dave |title=Seventh-rounder Eric Meloche not just a token Penguins pick |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-seventh-rounder/164340781/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=June 24, 1996|via=newspapers.com}}

=New York Rangers=

Prior to the start of the 1999–00 season, Hatcher was acquired by the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Peter Popovic.{{cite news |last1=Valenti |first1=John |title=Rangers Trade for Hatcher |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-nassau-edition-rangers-trade-f/164340944/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Newsday |date=October 1, 1999|via=newspapers.com}}

Personal life

Hatcher's daughter Hannah is married to NHL goaltender Tristan Jarry.{{cite web |last1=Crechiolo |first1=Michelle |title=Summer Catchup: Tristan Jarry |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/summer-catchup-tristan-jarry |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 30, 2025 |date=August 29, 2024}} After retiring, Hatcher and his brother Derian opened a bar/restaurant in Utica, Michigan.{{cite news |last1=Latham |first1=Krista |title=Hatchers play bar owners, too |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-hatchers-play-bar-own/164340322/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=Detroit Free Press |date=February 17, 2005|via=newspapers.com}}

Awards and achievements

Selected to five NHL All-Star Games: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
United States Hockey Hall of Fame, 2010 inductee{{cite web|url=https://www.ushockeyhalloffame.com/inductees|title=Past Inductess|year=2019|website=USA Hockey Hall Of Fame|access-date=2019-05-17}}