Bob Iwabuchi

Last updated
Bob Iwabuchi
Born (1957-06-16) June 16, 1957 (age 65)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg; 11 st 6 lb)
Position Goaltender
Played for North Dakota
Baltimore Clippers
Playing career 1978–1981

Robert Kai Iwabuchi is a Canadian retired ice hockey goaltender who was an All-American for North Dakota. [1]

Contents

Career

Iwabuchi was recruited to North Dakota by John Gasparini and became a member of his first recruiting class when Gasparini was named head coach in 1978. Iwabuchi had to beat out Bill Stankoven and Mel Donnelly, two veteran Sioux netminders for the starting role. The pressure and excitement of his position caused Iwabuchi to vomit before most games which endeared him to his teammates, some of whom had the same issue. [2] Iwabuchi became a hit as a freshman, helping the team finish atop the WCHA standings, defeating Minnesota in their final game to do so. Iwabuchi finished second in the nation in both goals against average and save percentage and was named as an All-American. He led UND on a run through the conference tournament and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eleven years. The Fighting Sioux received the top western seed and downed Dartmouth in the semifinal. In the championship, Stankoven got the start but allowed three goals to the Golden Gophers in the first period. With the team down by 2, Iwabuchi was in goal to start the second and he performed well in relief, turning aside 17 shots. After the team had cut their deficit to 1, Neal Broten scored a one-in-a-million goal over a sliding Iwabuchi to put Minnesota back ahead by 2. [3] UND scored mid-way through the third to get within one again but a post got in the way of a tying goal and UND saw the championship slip away.

Iwabuchi was the starter to begin his sophomore season but his numbers weren't nearly as good. He was eventually replaced as the primary goalie by freshman Darren Jensen and provided capable backup goaltending for the team as it handily won the WCHA regular season crown, the WCHA tournament championship and the NCAA title. Iwabuchi left the program after the year and played with the Baltimore Clippers before retiring as a player.

After returning to the Edmonton area, Iwabuchi began working in with the family business in the food service industry and continued after they had been acquired by Sysco. He worked in the marketing department until his retirement.

Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1974–75 Taber Golden Suns AJHL 20————————————————
1975–76 Taber Golden Suns AJHL 29———169313224.68.872————————
1976–77 Spruce Grove Mets AJHL 31————————————————
1978–79 North Dakota WCHA 22———12746112.74.907————————
1979–80 North Dakota WCHA 20—————03.63.876————————
1980–81 Baltimore Clippers EHL 36———179111803.95—————————
NCAA totals42—————1——————————

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-WCHA First Team 1978–79 [4]
AHCA West All-American 1978–79 [1]

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The 1957–58 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team represented University of Denver in college ice hockey. In its 2nd year under head coach Murray Armstrong the team compiled a 24–10–2 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time. The Pioneers defeated North Dakota 6–2 in the championship game at the Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the first national title not held at the Broadmoor Ice Palace. Denver became the first team to win its inaugural championship appearance since Michigan in 1948, the first time the tournament was held.

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The 1996–97 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team represented the University of North Dakota in college ice hockey during the 1996–97 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. In its 3rd year under head coach Dean Blais the team compiled a 31–10–2 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the thirteenth time. The Fighting Sioux defeated Boston University 6–4 to win the championship game at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

J. Murray Massier is a Canadian retired ice hockey forward who was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1958 NCAA Tournament.

Reginald P. Morelli was a Canadian ice hockey center who was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1959 NCAA Tournament.

Alan McLean is a Canadian retired ice hockey Center who was an All-American for North Dakota and was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1963 NCAA Tournament.

Robert Munro is a Canadian retired ice hockey centre and coach who was a two-time All-American for North Dakota.

Steve Johnson is an American ice hockey coach and former wing who was an All-American for North Dakota.

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The 1999–2000 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season was the 58th season of play for the program. They represent the University of North Dakota in the 1999–2000 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season and for the 49th season in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The Fighting Sioux were coached by Dean Blais, in his 6th season, and played their home games at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

References

  1. 1 2 "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Around the Rink with Bob Iwabuchi". Around the Rink with Travis Dunn. March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ "'I'd rather go to Superior'". Duluth Reader. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  4. ↑ "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
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