Scott Scissons, born on October 29, 1971, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player.
He was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, by the New York Islanders in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Scissons was chosen after five players, who all went on to have long National Hockey League careers: Owen Nolan, Petr Nedved, Keith Primeau, Mike Ricci, and Jaromir Jagr.
Early Career and Promise
During his three seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Saskatoon Blades, Scissons made an impact, scoring 30 goals and 56 assists in his rookie season, plus 40 goals in his sophomore one, to climb up on the scout rankings for the 1990 draft.
After two stellar seasons with his hometown Saskatoon Blades, he was picked sixth overall in the 1990 NHL entry draft by the New York Islanders.
It was as good a chance as anybody at that age.
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Injuries and Setbacks
However, soon the injuries that would mar his career would manifest. At 18, Scissons underwent a discectomy, followed by a wrist injury, ailments that cost him spots at Team Canada for two straight World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
He then spent the 1991-92 season playing with the Canadian National Hockey Team, and during a game with the Montreal Canadiens injured his shoulder in a check by John LeClair.
NHL and IHL Career
Scissons made his NHL debut with the Islanders, appearing in one game at the end of the 1990-91 season.
Scissons spent the 1992-93 season playing with the Islanders' American Hockey League affiliate, the Capital District Islanders. He did, however, appear in one game with the Islanders during the 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs.
He appeared in one more game with them during the 1993-94 season, and spent the remainder of the year with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the International Hockey League.
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He then played 30 IHL games in the 1994-95 season with the Minnesota Moose and Denver Grizzlies.
Early Retirement and Transition to Business
Before the 1995 season Scissons was on the verge of signing with the Dallas Stars. He even passed the physical, but the team doctor had other ideas.
"The doctor told me the next time I get hit improperly you may not walk again," says Scissons. In 1995, Scissons tried out for the Dallas Stars, but a pessimistic assessment by the team doctor led to an early retirement at the age of 22.
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After five injury-plagued seasons as a journeyman pro, and three games in the NHL, he retired in 1995.
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He returned to Saskatoon, got his certificate in commerce, and started working on his family business, Western Mobile Homes. Scissons, 34, is more than comfortable with his turn of events. "I wouldn't change much.