The 1989–90

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

season was the Hawks' 64th

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

. The season involved winning the

Norris Division The National Hockey League's Norris Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. When the NHL realigned into geographic divisions in 1981, the division moved to the Clarence Campbell Conference, where it comprised the ...

Offseason

The Blackhawks brought 1970s Soviet star goaltender Vladislav Tretiak to Chicago to help improve their netminders. The biggest offseason trade was a September 1990 deal sending

Steve Ludzik Stephen Paul Ludzik (born April 3, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach who has worked as a television analyst for The Score television network. He played in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Blackhawks and ...

to the Sabres for goalie

Jacques Cloutier Jacques Cloutier (born January 3, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, and Quebec Nordiques between 1981 and 1994. He is currentl ...

NHL Draft

Chicago's draft picks at the

1989 NHL entry draft The 1989 NHL entry draft was the 27th NHL entry draft. It was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Detroit Red Wings' 1989 draft has been noted as exceptionally successful, with 5,955 total NHL games played by the p ...

held at the

Met Center The Met Center was an indoor arena that stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, United States, a suburb of Minneapolis. The arena, which was completed in 1967 by Minnesota Ice, just to the north of Metropolitan Stadium, seated 15,784. It was the home ...

Bloomington, Minnesota Bloomington is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. It is located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, south of downtown Minneapolis and just south of the Interstate 494/Inter ...

Regular season

The Blackhawks would play consistent hockey all season as they win the Norris Division with a record of 41-33-6. Offensively, Steve Larmer again led the team with 59 assists and 90 points. Steve Thomas led the team in goals with 40. Dennis Savard was second in points with 80 and assists with 53. Jeremey Roenick finished his first full year with 26 goals and 40 assists for 66 points. Doug Wilson had an outstanding year with 23 goals, 50 assists for a team third-best 73 points. Dave Manson was again second-highest defenseman in scoring with 28 points. On November 2, 1989, Doug Wilson scored just 18 seconds into the overtime period to give the Blackhawks a 4-3 home win over the

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

. It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1989-90 NHL regular season. In goal, while

Alain Chevrier Alain Guy Chevrier (born April 23, 1961) is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender. Junior Hockey and Collegiate Career As a youth, Chevrier played in the 1974 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from ...

took the Blackhawks to the Conference finals the year before, his 16-14-3 record and 4.18 Goals Against Average in 89-90 got him traded in March 1990. Jacques Cloutier who was acquired just before the season began, was the primary goaltender with an 18-15-2 record and a 3.09 Goals Against Average. In March, the Blackhawks acquired

Greg Millen Gregory H. Millen (June 25, 1957 – April 7, 2025) was a Canadian hockey commentator-analyst and professional ice hockey goaltender who played 14 seasons for six teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). During his career as a colour comment ...

from Quebec, and he began to take over in the nets at the end of the season with a 5-4-1 record. Eddie Belfour could not make the Hawks roster and instead spent six months with the Canadian national team.

Final standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , L, , October 5, 1989, , 3–8 , , align="left",

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1989–90) , , 0–1–0 , - , 2, , W, , October 7, 1989, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1989–90) , , 1–1–0 , - , 3, , L, , October 8, 1989, , 3–5 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1989–90) , , 1–2–0 , - , 4, , W, , October 12, 1989, , 9–6 , , align="left",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1989–90) , , 2–2–0 , - , 5, , L, , October 14, 1989, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 2–3–0 , - , 6, , W, , October 15, 1989, , 3–0 , , align="left",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1989–90) , , 3–3–0 , - , 7, , T, , October 17, 1989, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 3–3–1 , - , 8, , L, , October 19, 1989, , 3–5 , , align="left",

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

( 1989–90) , , 3–4–1 , - , 9, , W, , October 20, 1989, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

( 1989–90) , , 4–4–1 , - , 10, , W, , October 22, 1989, , 7–4 , , align="left",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1989–90) , , 5–4–1 , - , 11, , W, , October 24, 1989, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 6–4–1 , - , 12, , W, , October 26, 1989, , 5–3 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1989–90) , , 7–4–1 , - , 13, , L, , October 28, 1989, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 1989–90) , , 7–5–1 , - , 14, , W, , October 29, 1989, , 1–0 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 8–5–1 , - , 15, , W, , October 31, 1989, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 9–5–1 , - , - , 16, , W, , November 2, 1989, , 4–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 10–5–1 , - , 17, , L, , November 4, 1989, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 10–6–1 , - , 18, , W, , November 5, 1989, , 4–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 11–6–1 , - , 19, , W, , November 9, 1989, , 4–3 , , align="left",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1989–90) , , 12–6–1 , - , 20, , W, , November 11, 1989, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1989–90) , , 13–6–1 , - , 21, , W, , November 12, 1989, , 4–2 , , align="left",

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1989–90) , , 14–6–1 , - , 22, , L, , November 16, 1989, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1989–90) , , 14–7–1 , - , 23, , T, , November 18, 1989, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1989–90) , , 14–7–2 , - , 24, , L, , November 19, 1989, , 4–5 OT, , align="left", @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1989–90) , , 14–8–2 , - , 25, , L, , November 22, 1989, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 14–9–2 , - , 26, , L, , November 26, 1989, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 14–10–2 , - , 27, , L, , November 30, 1989, , 0–2 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 14–11–2 , - , - , 28, , L, , December 3, 1989, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 14–12–2 , - , 29, , W, , December 6, 1989, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 15–12–2 , - , 30, , W, , December 9, 1989, , 6–4 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 16–12–2 , - , 31, , W, , December 10, 1989, , 7–1 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 17–12–2 , - , 32, , W, , December 13, 1989, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 18–12–2 , - , 33, , L, , December 15, 1989, , 4–8 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 18–13–2 , - , 34, , W, , December 17, 1989, , 6–5 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 19–13–2 , - , 35, , W, , December 20, 1989, , 9–6 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 20–13–2 , - , 36, , L, , December 22, 1989, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 20–14–2 , - , 37, , W, , December 23, 1989, , 7–5 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 21–14–2 , - , 38, , L, , December 26, 1989, , 3–8 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 21–15–2 , - , 39, , T, , December 28, 1989, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 21–15–3 , - , 40, , W, , December 30, 1989, , 7–3 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 22–15–3 , - , - , 41, , W, , January 3, 1990, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 23–15–3 , - , 42, , W, , January 6, 1990, , 8–5 , , align="left",

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1989–90) , , 24–15–3 , - , 43, , T, , January 10, 1990, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 24–15–4 , - , 44, , W, , January 11, 1990, , 5–4 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 25–15–4 , - , 45, , L, , January 14, 1990, , 5–6 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 25–16–4 , - , 46, , L, , January 15, 1990, , 6–7 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 25–17–4 , - , 47, , W, , January 17, 1990, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 26–17–4 , - , 48, , W, , January 19, 1990, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 27–17–4 , - , 49, , L, , January 24, 1990, , 2–3 , , align="left",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1989–90) , , 27–18–4 , - , 50, , W, , January 26, 1990, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 28–18–4 , - , 51, , L, , January 27, 1990, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 28–19–4 , - , - , 52, , W, , February 1, 1990, , 7–4 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 29–19–4 , - , 53, , L, , February 4, 1990, , 3–7 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 29–20–4 , - , 54, , W, , February 8, 1990, , 8–6 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 30–20–4 , - , 55, , L, , February 10, 1990, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 30–21–4 , - , 56, , W, , February 13, 1990, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 31–21–4 , - , 57, , L, , February 15, 1990, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 31–22–4 , - , 58, , W, , February 17, 1990, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 32–22–4 , - , 59, , W, , February 18, 1990, , 6–4 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 33–22–4 , - , 60, , W, , February 20, 1990, , 8–3 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 34–22–4 , - , 61, , L, , February 22, 1990, , 3–6 , , align="left",

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1989–90) , , 34–23–4 , - , 62, , L, , February 24, 1990, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 34–24–4 , - , 63, , W, , February 25, 1990, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 35–24–4 , - , 64, , L, , February 27, 1990, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 35–25–4 , - , - , 65, , L, , March 1, 1990, , 4–6 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 35–26–4 , - , 66, , L, , March 3, 1990, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 35–27–4 , - , 67, , L, , March 4, 1990, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 35–28–4 , - , 68, , L, , March 7, 1990, , 4–5 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 35–29–4 , - , 69, , T, , March 10, 1990, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 35–29–5 , - , 70, , L, , March 11, 1990, , 4–6 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 35–30–5 , - , 71, , T, , March 13, 1990, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 35–30–6 , - , 72, , W, , March 15, 1990, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 36–30–6 , - , 73, , L, , March 17, 1990, , 2–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 36–31–6 , - , 74, , W, , March 19, 1990, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 37–31–6 , - , 75, , W, , March 22, 1990, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 38–31–6 , - , 76, , L, , March 24, 1990, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 38–32–6 , - , 77, , W, , March 25, 1990, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 39–32–6 , - , 78, , W, , March 29, 1990, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 40–32–6 , - , 79, , L, , March 31, 1990, , 4–6 , , align="left", @

( 1989–90) , , 40–33–6 , - , - , 80, , W, , April 1, 1990, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1989–90) , , 41–33–6 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player stats

Regular season

;Scoring ;Goaltending

Playoffs

After reaching the Conference finals the year before, hopes were high entering the playoffs. The first round reunited the Hawks with their old rivals, the

for the first time since their four-year consecutive playoff match streak ended in 1985. The playoff format had changed since then, and now featured a seven-game series. The Blackhawks would barely survive this seven game war with the fourth place Minnesota North Stars. The Hawks defeated the North Stars four games to three with the Hawks outscoring Minnesota by a total of three goals over the series. The second round Norris Division Finals, saw the Blackhawks pitted against the

. The Blackhawks again needed all seven games to advance. In a bold move, coach Mike Keenan decided to start

Ed Belfour Edward John Belfour (born April 21, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the National Collegia ...

, who was recently recalled from the minors, in net in three of the games, and Eddie the Eagle won all three. The first six games were decided by one or two goals each, and game seven in Chicago was set for another close battle, however after Jeremy Roenick gave the Hawks a 2-0 first period lead, the Blues went on a powerplay only to have

Steve Larmer Steven Donald Larmer (born June 16, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward. He is the brother of Jeff Larmer. Career As a youth, Larmer played in the 1974 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hock ...

score a demoralizing shorthanded goal, and the rout was on - resulting in 8-2 victory. The Blackhawks were again headed to the conference finals against the

. Unlike their previous playoff loses to Edmonton, this time the Oilers were without

Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky ( ; born January 26, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "the Great One ...

.) The Western Conference Finals saw Keenan go back to Millen and Cloutier in the nets with Belfour only appearing in the first game despite his 2.49 goals against average. After splitting the first two in the Edmonton, the Hawks took the first home game at the Chicago Stadium to take a 2-1 series lead. However, the Oilers won the next three to win the series, and went on to win the Stanley Cup. ;Scoring ;Goaltending Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals
MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

References

Blackhawks on Hockey Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:1989-90 Chicago Blackhawks season Chicago Blackhawks seasons Chicago Blackhawks season, 1989-90 Norris Division champion seasons

1980s in Chicago 1989 in Illinois