Over 21 seasons with eight teams, Housley was one of the most prolific scoring defensemen in NHL history. That earned him induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

Housley had 1,232 points and is the fourth-highest scoring defenseman all-time in the NHL, behind Ray Bourque (1,579 points), Paul Coffey (1,531) and Al MacInnis (1,274). He is also second among United States-born players, regardless of position, behind Mike Modano, who had 1,374 points.

Born in St. Paul, Minn., Housley jumped to the NHL in 1982-83 at 18 years old, after being selected No. 6 in the 1982 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Scotty Bowman, then coach of the Sabres, likened the young defenseman to former Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr at the time.

Housley made good on that comparison immediately, with 66 points (19 goals, 47 assists) in his first season, when he finished second to Chicago Blackhawks forward Steve Larmer for the Calder Trophy voted as the top rookie in the League.

He spent his first eight seasons with the Sabres, whom he would later coach from 2017-2019. In his second season, 1983-84, Housley led NHL defensemen with 31 goals, the most he'd ever score during his career. He scored 29 goals in 1987-88 and had seven seasons of at least 20 goals.

Housley had 558 points (178 goals, 380 assists) in 608 games with Buffalo, fifth-most in Sabres history.

The Sabres traded Housley to the Winnipeg Jets in a blockbuster deal June 16, 1990 for Dale Hawerchuk and a first-round pick in the 1990 NHL Draft. Scott Arniel, Jeff Parker and the Sabresí first-round pick in 1990 were also sent to the Jets in the trade.

Housley played three seasons with the Jets, finishing third for the Norris Trophy voted as the top defenseman in the League in 1991-92. He had an NHL career-high 97 points (18 goals, 79 assists) in 1992-92.

From there he spent one partial season with the St. Louis Blues, 1 1/2 seasons with the Calgary Flames, half a season with the New Jersey Devils, two seasons with the Washington Capitals, three more seasons with the Flames, most of two seasons with the Blackhawks, and a single regular season game with the Toronto Maple Leafs (plus three games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs). In all, Housley was traded five times in his career and claimed twice on waivers.

Housley had 56 points (13 goals, 43 assists) in 85 Stanley Cup Playoff games, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 1997-98 with the Capitals, losing to the Detroit Red Wings.

The defenseman was a significant part of USA Hockey over his playing career, playing for the United States at the World Championships in 1982, 1986, 1989, 2000, 2001, and 2003. He also helped the U.S. to first place at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and won silver at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• NHL All-Rookie Team (1983)
• NHL Second All-Star Team (1992)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000)
• Traded to Winnipeg by Buffalo with Scott Arniel, Jeff Parker and Buffalo's 1st round pick (Keith Tkachuk) in 1990 NHL Draft for Dale Hawerchuk and Winnipeg's 1st round pick (Brad May) in 1990 NHL Draft, June 16, 1990.
• Traded to St. Louis by Winnipeg for Nelson Emerson and Stephane Quintal, September 24, 1993.
• Traded to Calgary by St. Louis with St. Louis' 2nd round picks in 1996 (Steve Begin) and 1997 (John Tripp) NHL Drafts for Al MacInnis and Calgary's 4th round pick (Didier Tremblay) in 1997 NHL Draft, July 4, 1994.
• Traded to New Jersey by Calgary with Dan Keczmer for Tommy Albelin, Cale Hulse and Jocelyn Lemieux, February 26, 1996.
• Signed as a free agent by Washington, July 22, 1996.
• Claimed on waivers by Calgary from Washington, July 21, 1998.
• Claimed by Chicago from Calgary in Waiver Draft, September 28, 2001.
• Traded to Toronto by Chicago for Toronto's 9th round pick (Chris Porter) in 2003 NHL Draft and Toronto's 4th round pick (Karel Hromas) in 2004 NHL Draft, March 11, 2003.
• Officially announced retirement, January 16, 2004.