(WGR 550) – Former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tom Kurvers has passed away after a long battle with lung cancer. The 58-year-old was the Minnesota Wild’s assistant general manager.
In November of 1986, the Montreal Canadiens traded Kurvers to the Sabres for a second round pick. In 55 games with Buffalo, Kurvers netted six goals and 17 assists for 23 points. His time in Buffalo didn’t last long, because in June of 1987, Buffalo traded Kurvers to the New Jersey Devils for a third round pick.
The longest Kurvers spent with one team was the 192 games he played for the New York Islanders. In 11 years, Kurvers played 659 games with the Sabres, Devils, Islanders, Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Kurvers also played 57 playoff games, and won the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986.
Kurvers finished his career playing one season in Japan for Seibu.
Kurvers is one of eight Sabres players that have won the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s best player. The others were Robb Stauber, Brian Holzinger, Chris Drury, Ryan Miller, Jordan Leopold, Jack Eichel and Jimmy Vesey.
Kurvers served as the interim general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2009-10 season.
Kurvers also spent time as a scout and the director of player personnel for the Phoenix Coyotes.
