gold star for USAHOF

196. Real Cloutier

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196. Real Cloutier

Real Cloutier was an absolute phenom in Quebec and rather than wait for the age restricted National Hockey League he would went directly from the Quebec Ramparts of the QMJHL to the Quebec Nordiques of the WHA where he could play professionally as an 18 year old.

Cloutier would make an instant impact and after his rookie year he would have four straight 100 Point seasons, two of which were enough to win the Bill Hunter Trophy, the WHA equivalent of the Art Ross.  The Quebecer’s best season was his last one in the WHA before the merger where he was not only the Bill Hunter Trophy winner but a First Team All-WHA selection with 75 Goals, after being a Second Team Selection the three years before.  He is the fourth leading scorer in World Hockey Association history and before Wayne Gretzky broke his records he was the youngest player in North American Hockey to reach 200, 300 and 400 Goals.

The Nordiques made an arrangement with the Chicago Blackhawks who had his NHL rights (offering a 1st Round Pick) to keep Cloutier and he would be an All-Star in 1980.  However after a trade to Buffalo and a clash with Scotty Bowman who despised his lack of attention to defense he would be out of hockey well before 30.  That being said, his offensive contributions cannot be dismissed.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Ste-Emile, Quebec, Canada.
  • Eligible Since: Friday, 01 January 1988
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Played For: Buffalo Sabres, Quebec Nordiques
  • Non-NHL Teams: Quebec Nordiques (WHA)
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    All-Star (1) (1980)

    First Team All-WHA (1) (1979)

    Second Team All-WHA (3) (1976, 1977 & 1978)

    Bill Hunter Trophy (2) (1977 & 1979)

    Most Goals WHA (1) (1979)

    Most Points WHA (2) (1977 & 1979)

    Most Goals per Game WHA (1) (1979)

    Most Points per Game WHA (1)(1979)

    Stanley Cup Rings (None)

    Avco Cup Champion (1) (Quebec Nordiques, 1977)

Should Real Cloutier be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 99.5%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0.5%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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