The Colorado Rockies played their final NHL season in Denver in 1981-82. The team finished dead last in the league that year with just 49 points. The only team with lower home game attendance was the Calgary Flames, simply because they were still playing out of the 7,500 seat Stampede Corral.
The franchise had heard threats of a move to New Jersey as far back as 1978. Finally, after a number of ownership changes, the team was moved to the Meadowlands for the start of the 1982-83 National Hockey League season. Over six seasons in the league, the Rockies reached the post season just once. In 1977-78, despite winning just 19 regular season games, Colorado advanced to the playoffs but were quickly swept by the Philadelphia Flyers in the best of three preliminary round.
Interestingly, John Wensink plays a role in both the final game in Colorado Rockies history and the first game in New Jersey Devils history. Wensink, known mostly as an enforcer, came to Denver for the 1981-82 NHL season after a year with the Quebec Nordiques. He played 42 games for the New Jersey Devils in 1982-83 before calling it a career.
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Colorado Rockies Final NHL Game
On April 3, 1982, the Rockies hosted the Calgary Flames at the McNichols Sports Arena. It was the final game of the 1981-82 season and the final match in the NHL history of the Colorado Rockies. They did go out on top with a 3-1 win.
The last goal ever scored for the Colorado Rockies came off the stick of John Wensink. He scored at 16:22 of the third period to make the score 3-1. It was John’s fifth of the season in his 57th game and was assisted by Kevin Maxwell and Stan Weir. Weir had a two point night and Pat Riggin was between the pipes for the Flames.
The other two Colorado goals were scored by Tapio Levo and Aaron Broten. Broten’s goal was shorthanded with Kevin Maxwell in the box, serving a five minute major for high sticking. The Rockies were able to kill off the full major. Glenn Resch was in net for the Rockies, turning away 29 of 30 shots. Mel Bridgman was the lone goal scorer for the Flames, with an assist going to Willi Plett.
This was the second in a back to back home and home. On April 1, the Flames roasted the Rockies 11-0 at the Stampede Corral. Lanny McDonald had a hat trick and added an assist for four points. Guy Chouinard scored a goal and assisted on four more for a five point night.
Want more on the history of the Colorado Rockies? Check out this book by Greg Enright: Rocky Hockey: The Short but Wild Ride of the NHL’s Colorado Rockies (Amazon Link).
1st Game in New Jersey Devils History
On October 5, 1982, the New Jersey Devils story began with a home game at Brendan Byrne Arena. Hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins, the game ended in a 3-3 tie. John Wensink didn’t provide any offense but he did provide a team first that was more up his alley.
At 8:00 of the first period, Wensink dropped the gloves with Pittsburgh’s Pat Price for the first fight in Devils history. In his 42 games with the Devils that year, John piled up 135 minutes in penalties.
Don Lever is credited with the first goal in Devils history. He scored at 2:21 of the first period on Pittsburgh goalie Michel Dion with assists going to Steve Tambellini and Bob MacMillan. Despite scoring three goals and grabbing a point in their first game, New Jersey managed just 16 shots on Dion.
About John Wensink
Originally, Wensink was a seventh round pick by the St. Louis Blues at the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft. He played his junior hockey with the Cornwall Royals of the QMJHL between 1970-71 and 1972-73. He would only play three games with the Blues, all during the 1973-74 NHL season. He would not play another game in the National Hockey League until 1976-77 when the Boston Bruins picked him up.
With Boston, Wensink went to the Stanley Cup final in 1976-77 and 1977-78, both times losing to the Montreal Canadiens. John was a 28 goal scorer with the Bruins in 1978-79.
Between 1973-74 and 1982-83, John Wensink appeared in 403 regular season and 43 playoff games in the NHL with the Blues, Bruins, Nordiques, Rockies and Devils. He scored 70 regular season goals and sat 840 minutes in penalties.