Cliff Ronning

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cliff Ronning was traded from the Phoenix Coyotes with Richard Lintner to the Nashville Predators for future considerations on October 31, 1998. As he joined the Predators in their expansion year, he took on a leadership role with the fledgling franchise, which finished second-to-last in its first NHL season. In all four seasons with the Predators, Ronning led the team in scoring, twice exceeding 60 points. He played an important role in mentoring young players, such as David Legwand. At the 2001–02 trade deadline, the Predators sent Ronning to the Los Angeles Kings, who expected him to help them in the playoffs. Ronning's time in Nashville established him as the franchise's first offensive cornerstone, a small forward who used exceptional hockey sense and quick hands to become a consistent point producer on an expansion team finding its footing.

In Their Own Story

The 1998–99 season marked the Nashville Predators' first in the NHL, and Cliff Ronning arrived as a veteran free agent acquisition. Standing just 5'8", he was often underestimated, but his elusive skating, pinpoint passing, and uncanny ability to find open ice made him a nightmare for defenders. In the Predators' first few seasons, he was the team's leading scorer, often centering the top line and quarterbacking the power play. His chemistry with wingers like Scott Walker and Patric Kjellberg created one of the most dangerous trios in early franchise history. Ronning's impact extended beyond the scoresheet; he was a mentor to younger players and a respected voice in the locker room. After leaving Nashville in 2002, he played briefly for the Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders before retiring. His number 7 has not been officially retired by the Predators, but he remains a beloved figure, often cited as the first true star to wear the gold.

Reader's Guide

Cliff Ronning's era with the Nashville Predators spanned from the team's inaugural 1998–99 season through 2001–02. He was the franchise's first true offensive star, leading the team in scoring in all four of his seasons with the club, twice exceeding 60 points. His playing style was defined by exceptional hockey IQ, quick hands, and a low center of gravity that made him nearly impossible to knock off the puck. He was a power-play specialist, often setting up goals from the half-wall or behind the net with surgical precision. Ronning's greatest achievements include being the Predators' leading scorer in each of his four seasons, and helping the team remain competitive against more established division rivals. He also played an important role in mentoring young players, such as David Legwand. Ronning's legacy is that of a player who proved that size is just a number—and that a small frame can carry a big team on its shoulders.

Did You Know?

• Cliff Ronning was drafted 134th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the seventh round of the 1984 NHL entry draft.
• Ronning set a WHL record with 197 points in the 1984–85 season, a mark later surpassed by Rob Brown's 212-point season in 1986–87.
• He played in the 1994 Stanley Cup Final with the Vancouver Canucks, losing in seven games to the New York Rangers, and played Game 7 with a broken hand.
• Ronning was traded from the Phoenix Coyotes to the Nashville Predators with Richard Lintner for future considerations on October 31, 1998.
• His son Ty was drafted by the New York Rangers in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL entry draft and as of 2024 plays as a forward for Eisbären Berlin.