John Tucker (ice hockey)
John G. Tucker (born September 29, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League in the 1980s and 1990s, most notably with the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 177 goals and 259 assists in 656 career regular season games and a further 28 points in 31 play-off games. He played several more seasons in Italy and Japan as well. Playing career. Tucker was drafted 31st overall by Buffalo in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft having played junior for the Kitchener Rangers where  he won the Memorial Cup in 1982. He played for Buffalo from 1983 through 1989. He was acquired by the Washington Capitals on January 5, 1990. In 1996–97 season, Tucker returned to Italy, playing for HC Milano. The following three seasons John played in Japan for Kokudo Keikaku. Coaching career. Since 2006, Tucker has served as an advisor and interim coach for his former Italian team H.C. Asiago. In 2010, Tucker was named head coach and led the team to two consecutive league championships and a Continental Cup final. Tucker recently completed his third season coaching H.C. Asiago. On April  17, 2014, Tucker was named head coach of the Buffalo Junior Sabres Junior A team of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Personal life. Tucker resides in Tampa, Florida, and Asiago, Italy. He is the founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning Alumni Association chapter, and is heavily involved in Florida youth hockey.