From NAIA to NHL, Otto has done it all
When one hears the name Joel Otto many things come to mind. Record holder, All-American, Hall of Famer, US Olympian, Stanley Cup Champion, World Cup participant and Canada Cup participant. The hockey star has done it all, but what most are unaware of is that his career starting at the NAIA level.
Joel Otto was named NAIA All-American in 1982 while attending Bemidji State.
From 1968-1984 ice hockey was sponsored by the NAIA. During that time all-star Joel Otto found home in Bemidji State a former NAIA Institution. Otto made history on the ice during his time in the NAIA he scored 52 points in 31 games in his sophomore season, earning All-America status in 1982. While a student, Joel played in 122 games, had 80 goals and 115 assists for a total of 204 career points.
Otto was unrated by most but he did not let that stop him, if anything it fueled his motivation. Despite being undrafted, Otto embarked on a professional career that began with an offer to join the Moncton Golden Flames, the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. Otto’s stay in the AHL only lasted 56 games before he was called up to Calgary on November 23rd, 1984.
The once unheralded, undrafted free agent soon established himself as one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL, twice being nominated for the Selke Trophy. Otto’s contributions to the Flames helped Calgary to two Stanley Cup Final appearances, winning the Stanley Cup in 1989.
Otto made a third trip to the Stanley Cup Final with Philadelphia, losing to the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings in 1997. Otto retired from the NHL in 1998.
Internationally, Otto featured for Team Canada in the 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup. Otto appeared in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey along with the 1998 Olympics.
Despite retiring from the NHL, Otto has remained close to the sport of hockey via various coaching positions in the minors, as well as Involvement in the Calgary Flames Alumni Association.
Following his professional career, Joel served two years as the assistant coach at the University of Calgary and for the past four seasons has served as assistant coach for the Calgary Hitman of the Western Hockey League in the Canadian Major Juniors. Joel and his wife, Kary, have two children and make their home in Calgary, Alberta.
