Ed Zemrau

Last updated
Ed Zemrau
Born(1933-08-22)August 22, 1933
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Died April 23, 2012(2012-04-23) (aged 78)
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position Defenseman
Shot Left
Played for Denver
Winnipeg Warriors
Playing career 1955–1963

Edwin Zemrau was a Canadian ice hockey defenseman and executive who captained Denver to its first National Championship in 1958. [1]

Contents

Career

Zemrau came to the attention of Neil Celley while playing for the Lethbridge Native Sons and moved south to begin attending Denver University in the fall of 1954. Zemrau joined the varsity squad in 1955 and the Pioneers produced moderate results but towards the end of the year head coach Celley kicked four players off of the team for violating rules. Celley resigned shortly thereafter and Denver had to find a new leader for the ice hockey program. In 1956 former NHLer Murray Armstrong took over and stabilized the program, though the team's record didn't reflect any improvement.

For his senior season Zemrau was named team captain and with Armstrong's first recruiting class beginning play, everything seemed to align for the Pioneers. Denver jumped from 12 to 22 wins in the regular season, doubling their conference win total and going from 5th in the WIHL to 1st (tied), winning the program's first conference championship. [2] The huge improvement earned Zemrau a spot on both the All-WIHL First Team [3] and the AHCA All-American West Team [4]

The championship earned Denver its first NCAA tournament bid as well and the team performed beautifully. In the semifinal the Pioneers dominated Clarkson 6–2 to advance to the championship game and face down co-WIHL champion North Dakota. The Fighting Sioux scored first, and held a one-goal lead at the end of the first but the defensive work done by Zemrau and others prevented North Dakota from building on their early lead. In the second period Denver's offense came alive for a 3-goal burst in under four minutes. Zemrau assisted on the third marker and then continued to hold back their opponents until the beginning of the third. UND cut the lead to one but Zemrau helped ensure that he assisted on the game-winner and The further goals from the Pioneers put the match out of reach, earning Denver the national championship. [5]

After graduating, Zemrau continued his hockey career. He played for the Winnipeg Warriors, a minor-pro outfit that saw several members reach the NHL, in parts of three seasons as well as the Sault Thunderbirds. In 1960 he moved to Alberta and became the assistant dean of physical education at the University of Alberta. While working for the college he continued playing, appearing for the Lacombe Rockets for three years, before finally hanging up his skates when he was appointed as the first athletic director for the University. [1] Zemrau was the AD at Alberta for 18 years and he became a figure in national athletics when he served as chairman of the Canadian University Centennial Project in 1967. He received the Canadian Centennial Medal for his contributions and served in several executive bodies over the next 20 years, becoming president of Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (now called U Sports) in 1977.

After being named as the Edmonton Sportsman of the Year in 1984 Zemrau returned to Alberta and was a faculty professor from 1985 until his retirement. He remained active in national university sports in later life, serving as the first Vice President for the International Federation of University Sport from 1994 to 2003 and was on the board of directors for both the World Track and Field Championships and the World University Wrestling Championships. Zamrau was a member of the board of directors for the Calgary bid committee for the 1988 Winter Olympics. [6]

Personal

Ed Zemrau died from cancer at the age of 78. Shortly after Ed's death he was inducted into the Denver Athletic Hall of Fame. [7]

Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1951–52Lethbridge Native SonsWCJHL23781520—————
1952–53Lethbridge Native SonsWJHL——————————
1953–54Lethbridge Native SonsWJHL——————————
1955–56 Denver WIHL ————63—————
1956–57 Denver WIHL ——————————
1957–58 Denver WIHL ——————————
1957–58 Winnipeg Warriors WHL 30002—————
1958–59 Winnipeg Warriors WHL 443101362703312
1959–60 Winnipeg Warriors WHL 2006624—————
1959–60 Sault Thunderbirds EPHL 501111277—————
1960–61Lacombe Rockets CAHL ——————————
1961–62Lacombe Rockets CAHL ——————————
1962–63Lacombe Rockets CAHL ——————————
NCAA totals79163248——————

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-WIHL First Team 1957–58 [8]
AHCA West All-American 1957–58 [9]
NCAA All-Tournament First Team 1958 [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Collegiate Hockey Association</span> College athletic conference in the Midwestern United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey</span> College ice hockey team

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955–56 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season</span> Sports season

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1958–59 NCAA men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1958–59 NCAA men's ice hockey season began in November 1958 and concluded with the 1959 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on March 14, 1959 at the RPI Field House in Troy, New York. This was the 12th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 65th year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1956–57 Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1956–57 Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey team represented Colorado College in college ice hockey. In its 2nd year under head coach Tom Bedecki, the team compiled a 25–5–0 record, outscored opponents 205 to 106, and won the 1957 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. The Tigers defeated Michigan 13–6 in the championship game at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. CC tied the record for the most goals scored in a championship game (1950) and combined with the Wolverines for the most total goals in a title game (19). As of 2018 this is the last time Colorado College has won the national title in ice hockey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1957–58 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey season</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1959–60 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1959–60 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team represented University of Denver in college ice hockey. In its 4th year under head coach Murray Armstrong the team compiled a 27–4–3 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the second time. The Pioneers defeated Michigan Tech 5–3 in the championship game at the Boston Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. Denver set a record for the most wins by a team in one season, breaking the previous high of 25 set by Colorado College in 1956–57.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960–61 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1960–61 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team represented University of Denver in college ice hockey. In its 5th year under head coach Murray Armstrong the team compiled a 30–1–1 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the third time in four years. The Pioneers defeated St. Lawrence 12–2 in the championship game at the DU Arena in Denver, Colorado. Denver set a record for the most wins by a team in one season, breaking the previous high of 27 they had earned the previous year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962–63 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1962–63 North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team represented the University of North Dakota in college ice hockey. In its 3rd year under head coach Barry Thorndycraft the team compiled a 22–7–3 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the third time. The Fighting Sioux defeated Denver 6–5 to win the championship game at the McHugh Forum in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1967–68 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1967–68 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team represented University of Denver in college ice hockey. In its 12th year under head coach Murray Armstrong the team compiled a 28–5–1 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the seventh time. The Pioneers defeated North Dakota 4–0 in the championship game at the Duluth Arena Auditorium in Duluth, Minnesota, the third championship meeting between he two teams. Gerry Powers recorded the first shutout in the championship game and tied the record for lowest tournament goals against average (0.50).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968–69 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey season</span>

The 1968–69 Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team represented University of Denver in college ice hockey. In its 13th year under head coach Murray Armstrong the team compiled a 26–6–0 record and reached the NCAA tournament for the eighth time. The Pioneers defeated Cornell 4–3 in the championship game at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This was Denver's second consecutive championship and fifth in eleven years. Senior goaltender Gerry Powers tied the all-time NCAA career record of 76 wins in the championship match against the record-holder Ken Dryden.

William R. Steenson was a Canadian ice hockey defenseman who captained North Dakota to the program's first National Championship in 1959.

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

John M. Kosiancic is a Canadian retired ice hockey right wing who was an All-American for Michigan Tech.

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

Marty Howe was a Canadian-born, American ice hockey defenseman who was a two-time All-American for Denver and helped the team win consecutive national championships in the early 1960s.

Jerry Walker is a Canadian retired ice hockey winger who was one of the most prolific goal scorers in NCAA history. He was an All-American in 1961 and helped Denver win consecutive national championships.

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.

William M. Staub is a Canadian retired ice hockey left winger who was an All-American for Denver.

References

  1. 1 2 "Captain of 1958 NCAA Champion Pioneers Ed Zemrau Passes Away". Denver Pioneers. April 26, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Denver Pioneers men's Hockey 2004-05 Media Guide". Denver Pioneers. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  3. ↑ "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Writer Recalls DU's First National Championship". Lets Go DU. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  6. ↑ Calgary Olympic Development Association (1981). Calgary, Canada (Candidature File) (in English and French). Calgary: Calgary Olympic Development Association. p. 134.
  7. ↑ "Denver Inducts Class of 2012 Into Athletic Hall of Fame". Denver Pioneers. October 25, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  8. ↑ "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  9. ↑ "1957-1958 All-American Team". The American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  10. ↑ "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
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