Terry Ruskowski

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Terry Ruskowski
Born (1954-12-31) December 31, 1954 (age 69)
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Houston Aeros
Winnipeg Jets
Chicago Black Hawks
Los Angeles Kings
Pittsburgh Penguins
Minnesota North Stars
NHL Draft 70th overall, 1974
Chicago Black Hawks
WHA Draft 30th overall, 1974
Houston Aeros
Playing career 1974–1989

Terry W. Ruskowski (born December 31, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and coach. He played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League (NHL), and for the Houston Aeros and Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Ruskowski's leadership on the ice was recognized with his tenure as captain of the Aeros, Black Hawks, Kings, and Penguins, the only player in major professional history to captain four clubs.

Contents

As a coach, Ruskowski was most recently the head coach and general manager for the Quad City Mallards of the ECHL.

Coaching career

In 2001, Ruskowski was named the head coach of the Laredo Bucks in Laredo, Texas, of the Central Hockey League. On March 18, 2009, he secured his 500th coaching win, as the Bucks defeated the Texas Brahmas of Fort Worth, 4-3, in the Southern Conference playoffs. [1]

In 2007, Ruskowski entered the final year of a four-year contract extension with the Bucks. Ruskowski told the Laredo Morning Times that his tenure was in the hands of Bucks chairman Glenn Hart, owner Julian "Kiki" DeAyala, and team president John Beckelhymer and that he had "full faith" that he will obtain his third contract with the club. He was shortly thereafter given a "lifetime contract" as the coach of the Bucks.

In May 2011, Ruskowski announced his resignation after ten years as the coach of the Bucks. [2] Ruskowski had compiled a 343–175–56 overall record in Laredo and was the CHL "Coach of the Year" during the 2005–06 season. [3] A year after Ruskowski's departure from the Bucks, the team, citing declining attendance and revenue reversals, disbanded. [4]

Ruskowski became the head coach and general manager of the Quad City Mallards in the ECHL in the 2013–14 season. On January 20, 2017, he was relieved of his duties. [5]

Honours

In 2010, Ruskowski was elected as an inaugural inductee into the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame. [6]

Career statistics

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1971–72 Swift Current Broncos WCJHL 67133851177—————
1972–73 Swift Current BroncosWCJHL53256489136—————
1973–74 Swift Current BroncosWCJHL684093133243135232823
1974–75 Houston Aeros WHA 711036461341342615
1975–76 Houston AerosWHA65143549100166101664
1976–77 Houston AerosWHA80246084146116111767
1977–78 Houston AerosWHA7815577217041125
1978–79 Winnipeg Jets WHA7520668621181121323
1979–80 Chicago Black Hawks NHL 74155570252400022
1980–81 Chicago Black HawksNHL7285159225302211
1981–82 Chicago Black HawksNHL60730371201112353
1982–83 Los Angeles Kings NHL71143044127—————
1983–84 Los Angeles KingsNHL777253289—————
1984–85 Los Angeles KingsNHL7816334914430220
1985–86 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL73263763162—————
1986–87 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL70143751145—————
1987–88 Minnesota North Stars NHL475121776—————
1988–89 Minnesota North StarsNHL31122—————
WHA totals3698325433776152183654174
NHL totals6301133134261,3542116786

Personal life

Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Ruskowski began his junior hockey career in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL - Tier II) in 1970–71, playing for the Humboldt Broncos. His leadership ability at age sixteen was evident, as was his ability and toughness. He helped to propel the Broncos to the league final that year.

From 1971 to 1974, Ruskowski played for the Swift Current Broncos where he became captain in his second and third year and helped to lead the team until it lost in the semi-finals in 1974. As well, he still holds the team record for most assists in one year, 93 assists in 1973–74. He could be expected to stick up for his teammates, a situation which led to many fighting penalties each year.

Ruskowski is married and has two daughters.

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References

  1. ↑ Joy Lindsay, "Ruskowski reaches milestone as Bucks clinch, Laredo Morning Times , March 19, 2009, p. 2B
  2. ↑ "Coach Rosco True Laredo example" (editorial), Laredo Morning Times, June 12, 2011, p. 17A
  3. ↑ Dennis Silva, II, "Ruskowski's return still up in limbo", Laredo Morning Times, August 8, 2007
  4. ↑ Kenny Ryan, "Goodbye, Laredo Bucks: Bucks out after 10 years in city; finances, attendance at issue", Laredo Morning Times, May 2, 2012, pp. 1, 10A
  5. ↑ "MALLARDS MAKE COACHING CHANGE, AXTELL NAMED INTERIM HEAD COACH". ECHL. January 20, 2017.
  6. ↑ WHA Hall of Fame Members
Preceded by Chicago Black Hawks captain
1979–1982 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Los Angeles Kings captain
1983–1985 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Pittsburgh Penguins captain
1986–1987 		Succeeded by
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