1974-75 O-Pee-Chee 294 Greg Joly Hockey Card (Front)
1974-75 O-Pee-Chee 294 Greg Joly Hockey Card (Back)
1974-75 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Card Notes
A fantastic junior career which he led his team, the Regina Pats, to the Memorial Cup championship, preceded Greg’s debut in the National Hockey League. He’s a rushing type of defenseman who likes to carry the puck into scoring position. He’s young enough and quick enough to cover his defensive position as well. Washington’s number one choice in the Amateur Draft, he’s considered a future star performer.
En Français
Greg est une carrière fantastique dans le hockey junior el il mena son équipe, les Pats de Régina, au championnat de la Coupe Mémoriale. Joly est un défenseur qui n’a pas peur de foncer et de monter. Il est assez jeune et assez rapide pour revenir couvrir sa position à la défensive. Premier choix de Washington au repèchage des amateurs, on croit fortement que Joly deviendra une vedette.
Details
Greg Joly played three years with the Regina Pats from 1971-72 to 1973-74. In his final two years, he was selected to the WCHL All-Star Team, tying with Ron Greschner of the New Westminster Bruins in 1973-74.
The defenseman was third in team scoring in 1973-74, behind Dennis Sobchuk and Clark Gillies, with 92 points. He helped the Pats to a first overall finish during the regular season. Regina captured the championship, sweeping the Mike Rogers and Danny Gare led Calgary Centennials in the final.
The 1974 Memorial Cup was held at the Stampede Corral in Calgary, Alberta. Regina captured the title with a 7-4 win over the Guy Chouinard led Quebec Remparts in the final. Joly was honoured with the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP. The other participating team was the St. Catharines Blackhawks from Ontario.
NHL Career
Greg’s time in the NHL was not nearly as successful. By November 30, 1976, Washington was already rid of their first ever pick, shipping him to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Bryan Watson.
Between 1974-75 and 1982-83, Joly appeared in 365 regular season and five playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Capitals and Red Wings. He spent the final three years of his pro hockey career with the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL.
Despite his lack of success in the NHL, Joly did help Adirondack to two Calder Cup championships in the AHL. In 1980-81, their top scorer was Bill Hogaboam with just 56 points and the Tom Webster coached team finished five games below .500 during the regular season. Yet, they were able to Maine Mariners in the final.
In 1985-86, the Red Wings were second overall during the regular season and took out the first place Hershey Bears in the final. Helping the team to victory were a young pair of future stars in Adam Oates and Bob Probert.
Last Goal At Detroit Olympia
Greg Joly does have his name in the history books for another reason other than being Washington’s first ever draft pick. On December 15, 1979, the Detroit Red Wings tied the Quebec Nordiques 4-4 at the last NHL game every played at the Detroit Olympia.
Joly scored at 18:35 of the third to pull Detroit into the tie. Paul Woods assisted on the goal and finished off a four goal comeback to a erase a 4-0 deficit. In net for the Nordiques was Goran Hogosta, a Swedish goalie that played all of 22 games in the NHL.