Five Stanley Cup Finals appearances — the most consecutive Finals appearances without winning by any skater.
Martin Gélinas was born in Shawinigan, Quebec in 1970. Edmonton Oilers selected him seventh overall in the 1988 NHL Draft — the player acquired in the famous trade that sent Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles. His 16-season career produced 311 goals and 311 assists for 622 career points. He appeared in five Stanley Cup Finals — with Edmonton (1990), Vancouver (1994), Calgary (2004), and Carolina (2006 — appearing twice) — winning none. He is considered one of hockey's great ironies: the player who replaced Gretzky and yet whose career is defined by near-misses at the championship. He was one of the most consistent checking forwards of his era — valued for his defensive commitment, penalty-killing ability and timely scoring rather than individual statistics. His story is one of professional sport's most poignant: present for five championship opportunities across three different decades and franchises, never winning one.
NHL regular
Career Honours
- NHL regular
- One of hockey's ironies — five Finals losses