Dec 3, 2008 - Randy Wood

Does anybody remember Shermy?

via www.schulzmuseum.org

Shermy was one of the original four cast members of Peanuts, but his role eventually faded as his basic persona of 'that nice boy' didn't really lead itself to great comic opportunities.  Shermy would become that quiet role player, the guy who filled out crowd scenes, the guy who played the shepherd that didn't have a speaking part, the guy who hit sixth (does anyone even know what position Shermy played?  It has to have been one of the corner infield roles - probably third.) without a ton of pop, but was a steady, reliable bat.

If Shermy played hockey, he'd have been a second/third liner with decent but not outstanding speed, a guy who could hit a bit but wasn't overly physical, who never took nor drew too many penalties, who somehow always put up about 20 goals and 40 points without making too many glaring errors, and if he ever managed to score a game-winner in OT, NOBODY would ever remember it.

Sort of like Randy Wood.

At The General's, there is a poll to determine the least memorable player to score an OT playoff goal.  For me, this has to be Wood.  I can remember the goal Cross scored.  I can remember the goal Valk scored.  Cripes, I remember playoff goals from Bill Root, Chris Kotsopoulos (neither were OT), OT goals from Gartner, Rick Lanz and even Walt Poddubny.  Wood?  Complete blank.

It's not that Wood was a particularly bad player.  I remember when the Leafs picked him up that I thought it was a positive move.  He was a good foot soldier and a reliable winger.

But I can't recall a single thing he did while being here.

via img133.imageshack.us

1982-83      Yale University Bulldogs      ECAC      26      5      14      19      10                              
1983-84     Yale University Bulldogs     ECAC     18     7     7     14     10                        
1984-85     Yale University Bulldogs     ECAC     32     25     28     53     23                        
1985-86     Yale University Bulldogs     ECAC     31     25     30     55     26                        
1985-86     United States     WEC-A     4     0     0     0     4                        
1986-87     New York Islanders     NHL     6     1     0     1     4     -1     13     1     3     4     14
1986-87     Springfield Indians     AHL     75     23     24     47     57                        
1987-88     New York Islanders     NHL     75     22     16     38     80     -2     5     1     0     1     6
1987-88     Springfield Indians     AHL     1     0     1     1     0                        
1988-89     New York Islanders     NHL     77     15     13     28     44     -18                    
1988-89     Springfield Indians     AHL     1     1     1     2     0                        
1988-89     United States     WEC-A     10     1     1     2     6                        
1989-90     New York Islanders     NHL     74     24     24     48     39     -10     5     1     1     2     4
1990-91     New York Islanders     NHL     76     24     18     42     45     -12                    
1991-92     United States     Can-Cup     3     0     2     2     0                        
1991-92     New York Islanders     NHL     8     2     2     4     21     -3                    
1991-92     Buffalo Sabres     NHL     70     20     16     36     65     -9     7     2     1     3     6
1992-93     Buffalo Sabres     NHL     82     18     25     43     77     +6     8     1     4     5     4
1993-94     Buffalo Sabres     NHL     84     22     16     38     71     +11     6     0     0     0     0
1994-95     Toronto Maple Leafs     NHL     48     13     11     24     34     +7     7     2     0     2     6
1995-96     Toronto Maple Leafs     NHL     46     7     9     16     36     -4                    
1995-96     Dallas Stars     NHL     30     1     4     5     26     -11                    
1996-97     New York Islanders     NHL     65     6     5     11     61     -7                    
Leaf Totals     94    20    20    40    70    +3    7    2    0    2    6
NHL Totals     741     175     159     334     603     -53    51     8     9     17     40

ECAC Second All-Star Team (1985)
ECAC First All-Star Team (1986)
NCAA East Second All-Star Team (1986)

- Signed as a free agent by NY Islanders, September 17, 1986.
- Traded to Buffalo by NY Islanders with Pat LaFontaine, Randy Hillier and NY Islanders' 4th round choice (Dean Melanson) in 1992 Entry Draft for Pierre Turgeon, Uwe Krupp, Benoit Hogue and Dave McLlwain, October 25, 1991.
- Claimed by Toronto from Buffalo in NHL Waiver Draft, January 18, 1995.
- Traded to Dallas by Toronto with Benoit Hogue for Dave Gagner and Dallas' 6th round choice (Dmitri Yakushin) in 1996 Entry Draft, January 29, 1996.
- Signed as a free agent by NY Islanders, October 2, 1996.

the HHOF take on Randy:

Not many Ivy Leaguers make it all the way to the NHL, but that's exactly what Randy Wood accomplished, playing 12 years in the NHL. Wood was a free agent signing out of Yale when he signed with the New York Islanders in 1986. In that first season he played in six games, scoring a goal and an assist. In 1987-88, Wood dressed for 75 games with the Isles, contributing 22 goals and 16 assists. In the following three years, Wood managed to play in at least 74 games each year and had two 24-goal seasons.

In 1991-92, Wood was sent upstate to the Buffalo Sabres where he enjoyed another three years of success. Wood also made notable contributions to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1995 and 1996 before travelling south to join the Dallas Stars. His tenacious grinding style was the perfect weapon for coaches looking to neutralize the other team's top scorers.

Wood finished his NHL career where it started, back on Long Island with the Islanders. He suited up for 65 games in 1996-97, scoring six goals and five assists.

Wood retired having played in 741 games, scoring 175 goals, 159 assists and 334 points.

via img133.imageshack.us

He even looks a bit like Shermy.