From the Archives: Carlyle Pilots the Jets to a New Altitude

The following THN Archive story by Reyn Davis takes a long look at the young, blossoming defensive diamond, Randy Carlyle. Learn more about the player deemed as important to Winnipeg as Wayne Gretzky was to Edmonton below.

(You can read all of THN’s new Archive by subscribing to the magazine.)

Plan the Parade

March 8, 1985 – Vol. 38, Issue 23

By Reyn Davis

“There was a time when there was enough of Randy Carlyle to go around…and around and around.

Today, he’s a svelte 200 pounds, as light as a whisper on his skates but as strong as the proverbial ox.

Of all the reasons why the Winnipeg Jets are suddenly a winning hockey club, none has precedence over the arrival of the 28-year-old defenseman from Pittsburgh on March 5, 1984 in the waning moments of the National Hockey League trading deadline.

It is more than a coincidence that since Carlyle’s acquisition, Dale Hawerchuk has bolted into the echelons of the scoring leaders while Thomas Steen, Paul MacLean, Robert Picard and Brian Mullen are having the most productive year of their careers.

“When he’s not there you realize how much he means to this team,” said general manager John Ferguson, lamenting the loss of Carlyle with a bruised shoulder as the team skidded.

A clean, well-timed punishing hit by Washington right winger Lou Franceschetti on Feb. 13 left Carlyle cut above the left eye and his shoulder badly bruised, if not slightly separated.

As feared, the injury hurt every member of the Jets: MacLean played nonchalantly; Hawerchuk lacked his drive; Dave Ellett, a rookie, had no one to take him by the hand; the renewed attention Dave Babych received cast him in a bad light; Picard was adrift without a paddle.

Carlyle is the straw that stirs their drink. He is also the whip Barry Long has never had to use.

The title has yet to be bestowed but Carlyle is the coach’s assistant. Players who float are answerable to him long before the coaching staff enters the picture.

Appropriately, he has several nicknames. Two favorites are Oscar, after the grumpy Sesame Street character, and Boss Hawg, after the irascible mayor on the Dukes of Hazzard. But the one that is heard on the ice in the heat of action is Kitty, after the former television panelist on What’s My Line?

A thatch of hair tumbling forward, parting his high forehead, Carlyle presents a unique appearance…not unlike the other top defensemen in the NHL.

Strong-willed, he knows what he expects of himself and others.

“His greatest contribution to the team goes unseen by most people, and that’s his leadership,” said Brian Hayward, the Jet’s undisputed No. I goaltender. “He is the guy who motivates others. He is not afraid to stand up and say what he thinks of you…in the locker room or on the bench. He makes sure you are ready to play. We have missed that kind of person in the past.”

There were skeptics, even among the Jets, when Ferguson closed the deal that sent Moe Mantha and the team’s first-round draft choice (Doug Bodger) to Pittsburgh for Carlyle.

“Giving up a first-round draft choice for him I thought was fair,” said Bill Sutherland, one of the Jets’ assistant coaches. “But giving up a player as well was a little steep, I thought. But I have changed my mind. The way Randy has played for us I would have to say this is the best deal this team has ever made.”

At 28, he is seven years younger than Serge Savard was when the Jets coaxed him out of Montreal in 1981. He has never been seriously injured. His knees are sound.

Carlyle is 23 pounds lighter than he was when he reported to the Jets last March. He also has a new contract which he negotiated by himself.

While he has not accumulated the points he did, winning the Norris Trophy during the 1980-81 season, Carlyle has amazed Long with his defensive talents.

“I never appreciated the sense of anticipation he has,” said Long, a former defenseman. “He seems to be two or three steps ahead of the play.”

Most teams key on Carlyle, knowing how effective he can be if he has the time to turn and face the forecheckers pouring into his zone.

“If you can catch him before he’s turned, he might make a turnover,” said Rod Langway of the Washington Capitals. “But if you don’t, he’ll pick you apart.”

Carlyle prefers to direct much of the credit to Picard, the much-travelled veteran who wore out his welcome in three other cities.

“I never paid much attention to him,” said Carlyle. “I knew he was quite talented. And I’ll never forget the time he hit me in Washington. He gave me one of the hardest checks I’ve ever received.

“But he always hits you clean. Some guys like (former NHLer) Hilliard Graves went for the knees. Picard goes for the chest.”

Winnipeg writers and broadcasters say Carlyle has brought out the best in Picard to such an extent he deserved to be considered among the Campbell Conference’s mid-season All-Stars.

“I dispute the argument,” said Carlyle. “It isn’t true. Instead, he is bringing out the best in me.”

Always chirping to his teammates on the ice, Carlyle often uses his stick to point out the open man in case he isn’t heard. He is the quarterback, a leader on a team that was sadly in need of an experienced hand to run the defense.

One of the frustrations he has experienced playing with the Jets is the team’s inability to beat the Edmonton Oilers or Calgary Flames on anything more than an occasional basis.

Only recently did the Jets end a 20-game losing streak against the Oilers. The Flames have beaten them five times.

“Calgary is so prepared for us,” said Carlyle. “They seem to know every move we are going to make. They are not all that talented but they are a hard-working team that backchecks as hard as it forechecks.”

Long shares Carlyle’s frustration. But he knows he must be thankful for his mercies, both large and small.

“Randy means as much to us as Wayne Gretzky does to Edmonton,” said Long. “He is not going to put the same number of points on the board as Gretzky but he’ll help us in so many other respects he becomes just as valuable.

“I wish we had two more like him.”