Brent Ashton Brent Kenneth Ashton ( born on May 18 , 1960 in Saskatoon , Saskatchewan ) is a retired professional player who spent fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League between 1979 and 1993 . Despite being a fine goalscoring winger , he was known during his career for being the most - traded player in the history of the NHL , a record since tied by Mike Sillinger . Playing career . Ashton played his junior hockey for his hometown Saskatoon Blades and following a 119 point season in 1978 – 79 was selected in the second round ( 26th overall ) of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks . He stepped straight into the Canucks ' lineup at the age of 19 in 1979 – 80 . Although he tied an NHL rookie record with a 4 – assist game against the Atlanta Flames , he was used sparingly and finished the year with 5 goals and 19 points in 47 games . In 1980 – 81 , he improved to 18 goals and 29 points , but at the conclusion of the season was traded to the Colorado Rockies in a three - way deal . In Colorado , Ashton received more ice time and responded in fine style , leading the Rockies with 36 assists and 64 points in 1981 – 82 . For 1982 – 83 , the franchise moved to New Jersey and became the New Jersey Devils , and Ashton slumped to just 14 goals and 33 points in 76 games . Ashton was dealt to the Minnesota North Stars for the 1982 – 83 campaign , but struggled to get ice time on a deep North Star squad , and suffered through the worst season of his career , finishing with just 7 goals and 17 points . He was again struggling to start the 1983 – 84 season with just 4 goals through 29 games , but a trade to the Quebec Nordiques would rejuvenate his career . In 49 games after the trade to Quebec , Ashton exploded offensively with 27 goals and 51 points , finishing the year with a career - high 31 goals . He would turn in another solid season in 1984 – 85 , finishing with 26 goals and 58 points . Ashton would get off to a blistering start to the 1985 – 86 campaign , with 25 goals through 46 games , but in what would become the story of his career was traded mid - season to the Detroit Red Wings despite recording 78 goals in just 172 games as a Nordique . Ashton continued to score frequently in Detroit , finishing the season with a career - high 40 goals and 75 points , and added 13 points in 16 playoff games as the Red Wings reached the Campbell Conference finals . In 1987 – 88 , he turned in a respectable 26 goals and 53 points and had another strong playoff performance with 7 goals and 12 points in 16 games as Detroit again reached the conference finals . For the 1988 – 89 season , Ashton was on the move again , this time to the Winnipeg Jets . He turned in 31 goals - his 5th straight year with at least 25 goals - and a career - high 37 assists for 68 points , and at the conclusion of the season helped Canada to a silver medal at the World Championships . Ashton would have the longest stay of his NHL career in Winnipeg , spending three full seasons with the Jets . He turned in another 20 goal season in 1989 – 90 , but as he moved into his 30s injuries took their toll and his production began to fall off . After a poor start to the 1991 – 92 season , he was dealt to the Boston Bruins , where he rebounded to finish with 18 goals and 40 points . However , the following year he would struggle with just 2 goals in 26 games for the Bruins and was assigned to the minors for the first time in his 14 - year career . He was eventually traded to the Calgary Flames , and finished out the year strongly with 19 points in 32 games as a Flame . Unable to get an NHL contract for the 1993 – 94 campaign , Ashton signed with the Las Vegas Thunder of the International Hockey League and was playing well until suffering a career - ending knee injury in November . The injury occurred just as he was about to sign with the Los Angeles Kings , who would have been his 10th NHL team . In 998 career NHL games , Ashton scored 284 goals and added 345 assists for 629 points , along with 635 penalty minutes . He was traded an NHL - record 9 times during his career . Following his career , Ashton returned to his hometown of Saskatoon where he operates Brent Ashton Sportswear , as well as coaches minor hockey . His brother Ron Ashton was also a professional hockey player , appearing for the Winnipeg Jets during their WHA incarnation , and his son Carter Ashton , was drafted in the first round in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning .