Clifford John Ronning was born on October 1, 1965 in Burnaby, BC. Ronning was a highly-skilled, undersized forward listed at 5’ 8 and 170-lbs. He grew up playing hockey at the Burnaby Winter Club. In 1992, Ronning led his midget hockey team to the Gold Medal in the Air Canada Cup when they faced off against Patrick Roy’s team in the final.
Ronning’s WHL rights were originally held by the Kamloops Blazers, but he was moved to Nanaimo in a trade for future Canuck, Garth Butcher. Although Ronning had committed to Michigan Tech in 1983, Ronning had a change of heart and ended up playing for New Westminster Royals in the BCJHL. Ronning lit up the league with 83-goals and 151-points in 52-games. The next season, he stayed in New Westminster but now with the Bruins in the WHL. Ronning was named WHL Rookie of the Year in 1983-84 with 69-goals and 136-points in 71-games. Ronning also made the 2nd All-Star team. After the season, Ronning was selected 134th overall in the 7th Round of the NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
The following season, Ronning played his final season with New Westminster and it was electric. Ronning set a WHL record for total points in a season with 89-goals and 197-points in 70-games. He was named MVP of the WHL and was a first-team All-Star. Ronning was also recognized as the Most Sportsmanlike after only accumulating 20-PIMs.
His season was so impressive that he got a nod to represent Canada on the international scene for the 1985-86 season. Ronning accumulated 118-points in 71 international games. St. Louis brought him to the NHL right at the start of the 1986 NHL playoffs. Ronning played in 5-games collecting two-points. The following year, Ronning continued with Canada before being called up to St. Louis midway through the season. Ronning played 42-games and collected 25-points.
The following year, Ronning was struggling to find consistent ice-team behind the Blues’ established centres and spent a good chunk of the season with Peoria in the AHL. Roninng played in only 26-NHL games with just 13-points. The next season he was back with St. Louis for the 1988-89 season and he set a career-high with 24-goals and 55-points in 64-games. That summer, Ronning had a contract dispute with the Blues. Ronning wanted guaranteed playing time, which St. Louis was unwilling to offer, so Ronning opted to play in Italy with Asiago for the 1989-90 season—which was a ~75% pay cut compared to the NHL. St. Louis retained Ronning’s rights and he returned to St. Louis on a three-year one-way deal the following season. After playing 48-games with the Blues in the 1990-91 season, Ronning and teammates Geoff Courtnall, Robert Dirk, Sergio Momesso, and a 5th-round pick were sent to Vancouver for Garth Butcher and Dan Quinn. This was now the second time Ronning had been traded for Butcher too.
Ronning fit in with Vancouver quickly. He had 12-points in the remaining 11-games of the 1991 season. His hot start carried into the playoffs where he had an impressive 6-goals and 9-points in Vancouver’s 6-game series against the LA Kings.
In 1991-92, Ronning set a new career-high with 24-goals and 71-points in 80-games. The following year, he took another step and was over a point-per-game with 29-goals and 85-points in 79-games. Ronning also had 13-points in 13-playoff games. Ronning was a part of Vancouver’s 1993-94 season where they reached the Stanley Cup Finals. He had 68-points in 76-regular season games plus 15-points in 24-playoff games. Ronning played two additional seasons with Vancouver. He became a UFA in 1996 after Vancouver chose to not tender a qualifying offer of $900K.
Ronning chose to sign with the relocated Winnipeg Jets in their first season as the Phoenix Coyotes. Ronning played two seasons with the Coyotes before being moved to Nashville for their inaugural season in 1998. Ronning stepped into a leadership role with Nashville. Ronning was the leading scorer on the team for four consecutive seasons.
He was traded to Los Angeles at the 2002 trade deadline. After getting knocked out by the Avalanche in the first round, Ronning was later moved in the summer to the Minnesota Wild for a 4th round pick (Aaron Rome). He helped the Wild reach the conference final that season including a series win in the second round against Vancouver. In 2003-04, Ronning signed with the New York Islanders and played 40-games with the team. Ronning was inactive during the NHL lockout in 2005 and proceeded to retire in 2006.
Ronning stayed in Vancouver with his family after retirement. His son Ty followed a similar path as Cliff and was selected in the 7th round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. Ronning played 17-seasons in the NHL with 1137-games played and 869-points. He ranks 24th in all-time scoring for the Canucks.
“Even though I was always one of the smallest kids on my hockey team growing up, I never stopped dreaming about playing in the NHL, so having the ability to live out that dream was unbelievable. I certainly hope that kids who are also small in stature but not in heart will look at me and other similar players and know that their dream can come true through hard work and dedication to the game.” – Cliff Ronning
SpiralFunZone
Best player to wear #7. I know lots of people will say B-Mo but Ronning was the little guy who could get it done. So sad that his tenure ended in Vancouver over a 900K qualifier, man what a trooper he was.
Old-Bigsby
Cliff Ronning is the type of player that would’ve excelled in the post-lockout NHL. He was a great player in his own right but he could’ve truly shined without all the clutching and grabbing.
electricalphil
He was such a great player. Another stupid, stupid decision by the Canucks not to keep him. You really have to shake your head sometimes. I can’t even imagine how well he would do in today’s NHL.
Cisco9
I remember watching a game against the flyers when Lindros and Cliffy ended up in the corner fighting for the puck 3 times in quick succession, and Ronning came out with the puck all 3 times.
After the 3rd time, Lindros was shaking his head and laughing.
Biggest heart on a little guy ever.
nexus6ca
Garland Patterson prime Ronning.
apcymru
The first time I heard a broadcaster use the term “he could stickhandle in a phone booth” was in reference to Cliff Ronning.
elrizzy
Love this dude, one of the ultimate Canucks to me. Heartbreaking to see him on other teams.
stroomer87
He was (assisstant) coaching our local BCHL team last season. All the players loved him on the bench. Sadly he isn’t back this season though.
darrylrawberry
Bro looked cool as hell with that helmet/visor and those gloves
10 Comments
24. Cliff Ronning — 366GP | 112G | 216A | 328P | 1991-1996
Clifford John Ronning was born on October 1, 1965 in Burnaby, BC. Ronning was a highly-skilled, undersized forward listed at 5’ 8 and 170-lbs. He grew up playing hockey at the Burnaby Winter Club. In 1992, Ronning led his midget hockey team to the Gold Medal in the Air Canada Cup when they faced off against Patrick Roy’s team in the final.
Ronning’s WHL rights were originally held by the Kamloops Blazers, but he was moved to Nanaimo in a trade for future Canuck, Garth Butcher. Although Ronning had committed to Michigan Tech in 1983, Ronning had a change of heart and ended up playing for New Westminster Royals in the BCJHL. Ronning lit up the league with 83-goals and 151-points in 52-games. The next season, he stayed in New Westminster but now with the Bruins in the WHL. Ronning was named WHL Rookie of the Year in 1983-84 with 69-goals and 136-points in 71-games. Ronning also made the 2nd All-Star team. After the season, Ronning was selected 134th overall in the 7th Round of the NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
The following season, Ronning played his final season with New Westminster and it was electric. Ronning set a WHL record for total points in a season with 89-goals and 197-points in 70-games. He was named MVP of the WHL and was a first-team All-Star. Ronning was also recognized as the Most Sportsmanlike after only accumulating 20-PIMs.
His season was so impressive that he got a nod to represent Canada on the international scene for the 1985-86 season. Ronning accumulated 118-points in 71 international games. St. Louis brought him to the NHL right at the start of the 1986 NHL playoffs. Ronning played in 5-games collecting two-points. The following year, Ronning continued with Canada before being called up to St. Louis midway through the season. Ronning played 42-games and collected 25-points.
The following year, Ronning was struggling to find consistent ice-team behind the Blues’ established centres and spent a good chunk of the season with Peoria in the AHL. Roninng played in only 26-NHL games with just 13-points. The next season he was back with St. Louis for the 1988-89 season and he set a career-high with 24-goals and 55-points in 64-games. That summer, Ronning had a contract dispute with the Blues. Ronning wanted guaranteed playing time, which St. Louis was unwilling to offer, so Ronning opted to play in Italy with Asiago for the 1989-90 season—which was a ~75% pay cut compared to the NHL. St. Louis retained Ronning’s rights and he returned to St. Louis on a three-year one-way deal the following season. After playing 48-games with the Blues in the 1990-91 season, Ronning and teammates Geoff Courtnall, Robert Dirk, Sergio Momesso, and a 5th-round pick were sent to Vancouver for Garth Butcher and Dan Quinn. This was now the second time Ronning had been traded for Butcher too.
Ronning fit in with Vancouver quickly. He had 12-points in the remaining 11-games of the 1991 season. His hot start carried into the playoffs where he had an impressive 6-goals and 9-points in Vancouver’s 6-game series against the LA Kings.
In 1991-92, Ronning set a new career-high with 24-goals and 71-points in 80-games. The following year, he took another step and was over a point-per-game with 29-goals and 85-points in 79-games. Ronning also had 13-points in 13-playoff games. Ronning was a part of Vancouver’s 1993-94 season where they reached the Stanley Cup Finals. He had 68-points in 76-regular season games plus 15-points in 24-playoff games. Ronning played two additional seasons with Vancouver. He became a UFA in 1996 after Vancouver chose to not tender a qualifying offer of $900K.
Ronning chose to sign with the relocated Winnipeg Jets in their first season as the Phoenix Coyotes. Ronning played two seasons with the Coyotes before being moved to Nashville for their inaugural season in 1998. Ronning stepped into a leadership role with Nashville. Ronning was the leading scorer on the team for four consecutive seasons.
He was traded to Los Angeles at the 2002 trade deadline. After getting knocked out by the Avalanche in the first round, Ronning was later moved in the summer to the Minnesota Wild for a 4th round pick (Aaron Rome). He helped the Wild reach the conference final that season including a series win in the second round against Vancouver. In 2003-04, Ronning signed with the New York Islanders and played 40-games with the team. Ronning was inactive during the NHL lockout in 2005 and proceeded to retire in 2006.
Ronning stayed in Vancouver with his family after retirement. His son Ty followed a similar path as Cliff and was selected in the 7th round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. Ronning played 17-seasons in the NHL with 1137-games played and 869-points. He ranks 24th in all-time scoring for the Canucks.
“Even though I was always one of the smallest kids on my hockey team growing up, I never stopped dreaming about playing in the NHL, so having the ability to live out that dream was unbelievable. I certainly hope that kids who are also small in stature but not in heart will look at me and other similar players and know that their dream can come true through hard work and dedication to the game.” – Cliff Ronning
Best player to wear #7. I know lots of people will say B-Mo but Ronning was the little guy who could get it done. So sad that his tenure ended in Vancouver over a 900K qualifier, man what a trooper he was.
Cliff Ronning is the type of player that would’ve excelled in the post-lockout NHL. He was a great player in his own right but he could’ve truly shined without all the clutching and grabbing.
He was such a great player. Another stupid, stupid decision by the Canucks not to keep him. You really have to shake your head sometimes. I can’t even imagine how well he would do in today’s NHL.
I remember watching a game against the flyers when Lindros and Cliffy ended up in the corner fighting for the puck 3 times in quick succession, and Ronning came out with the puck all 3 times.
After the 3rd time, Lindros was shaking his head and laughing.
Biggest heart on a little guy ever.
Garland Patterson prime Ronning.
The first time I heard a broadcaster use the term “he could stickhandle in a phone booth” was in reference to Cliff Ronning.
Love this dude, one of the ultimate Canucks to me. Heartbreaking to see him on other teams.
He was (assisstant) coaching our local BCHL team last season. All the players loved him on the bench. Sadly he isn’t back this season though.
Bro looked cool as hell with that helmet/visor and those gloves