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NHL Fortune: $623,500

Description

Dennis Polonich’s net worth / earnings / salary history: Earned US $623,500 (US $2,414,560 in today's dollars), ranking #4307 in NHL / hockey career earnings.

Birthdate: December 4, 1953
Country of birth: Canada
Position: C
NHL Draft:
Salary History - Dennis Polonich
All amounts in US$ unless otherwise noted.
Season   Earnings
(US$)
In today's
US$
Rank
1973-74 $7,500 $53,108
After being drafted 118th overall at the NHL draft, signed a contract with the Detoit Red Wings for an undisclosed salary and a signing bonus of $7,500. Ended up playing the season with the London Lions, A affiliate of the Red Wings in England.
Source(s): Book: Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines
1977-78 $60,000 $311,236
Bases salary, not including bonuses, deferred payments and other extras.
Source(s): The Gazette / Globe and Mail
1978-79 $70,000 $337,391
Signed a two-year, plus one option year, one-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings: $70,000, $75,000 and $80,000.
Source(s): Copy of contract
1979-80 $80,000 $346,542
Signed a four-year, one-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings: $80,000, $90,000, $100,000 and $110,000.
Source(s): Copy of contract
1980-81 $90,000 $343,356
Source(s): Copy of contract
1981-82 $100,000 $345,799
Source(s): Copy of contract
1982-83 $110,000 $358,383
A jury also awarded him damages of $850,000 ($500,000 for 'pain and suffering' and $350,000 more in punitive damages) from Wilfrid Paiement, following a lawsuit about a brutal attack, in 1978, when he was hit in the face by Paiement's stick, causing a concussion, severe facial lacerations, a broken nose requiring reconstructive surgery, and lifelong breathing problems.
Source(s): Copy of contract / The Sporting News / La Presse
1983-84 $30,000 $94,699
Americal Hockey League contract for $30,000 plus unspecified bonuses.
Source(s): Classic Auctions
1984-85 $30,000 $90,797
Estimated salary based on documented 1983-84 salary also in the AHL.
Source(s): HockeyZonePlus
1985-86 $24,000 $70,146
In the International Hockey League. Based on notes on various documents, salary appears to have been around $24,000 plus bonuses.
Source(s): Copy of contract
1986-87 $22,000 $63,104
In the International Hockey League. Based on notes on various documents, salary appears to have been around $22,000 plus bonuses. Retired from pro hockey after the season.
Source(s): Copy of contract
Career Total: US $623,500
(In today's dollars: US $2,414,560)

NHL Rank: 4307
(In today's dollars: 3256)

Contract(s) (click to enlarge)