Walt Tkaczuk

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Walt Tkaczuk
Walt Tkaczuk 80-81.JPG
Tkaczuk with the New York Rangers in 1980
Born (1947-09-29) September 29, 1947 (age 76)
Emsdetten, Germany
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for New York Rangers
Playing career 1967–1981

Walter Robert Bogdan Tkaczuk (born September 29, 1947) is a former Canadian ice hockey centre who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers between 1967 and 1981. Tkaczuk's family, originally from Ukraine, moved to Timmins, Ontario from West Germany when he was two years old. [1] He was the first player born in Germany to appear in an NHL game.

Contents

NHL career

Tkaczuk centred the "Bulldog Line" with Bill Fairbairn and Dave Balon, who was later replaced by Steve Vickers. [2] He could score his fair share of goals, however he was much better at producing assists. Tkaczuk's finest contribution to the game was that of the defensive forward, being among the NHL's elite shadows and faceoff men. This complemented the Rangers' high-scoring GAG line of Jean Ratelle, Rod Gilbert, Vic Hadfield. During his first two seasons with the Rangers, the club and media pronounced his name, "Taychuk" because the Rangers' director of player personnel felt it was easier to say than the correct pronunciation, "Ka-Chook." Prior to the 1969-70 season, the club announced he would henceforth be called by the correct pronunciation. [3]

In the 1972 playoffs, with Ratelle sidelined with a broken ankle and Gilbert hampered by injuries, Tkaczuk played a key role as the Rangers defeated the defending champions Montreal Canadiens, and the previous season's finalists Chicago Black Hawks, to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. While the Rangers lost to the Boston Bruins in six games, Tkaczuk earned much respect for holding the Bruins' Phil Esposito without a goal in the series.

Tkaczuk was asked to play for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series but declined the invitation due to his obligation to his summer hockey school. He was replaced by Philadelphia Flyers' centre Bobby Clarke. [4]

In the 1979 playoffs, Tkaczuk was a key contributor as the Rangers upset the first place New York Islanders to reach the Stanley Cup Finals, where they fell to Montreal in five games.

Towards the end of a game on February 2, 1981, Tkaczuk suffered an eye injury when hit by a puck. [5] He never played again. Over his career, Tkaczuk played in 945 NHL games, scoring 227 goals and 451 assists for 678 points. Despite his physical presence, he only accumulated 556 minutes in penalties.

In the 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats, the authors ranked Tkaczuk at No. 14 all-time of the 901 New York Rangers who had played during the team's first 82 seasons. [6]

Post-hockey career

Tkaczuk is co-owner of River Valley Golf Course and Tube Slide in St. Marys, Ontario.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1963–64 Kitchener Dutchmen CJHL 30253762——————
1963–64 Kitchener Rangers OHA 2155104—————
1964–65Kitchener DutchmenCJHL——————————
1964–65 Kitchener RangersOHA71236—————
1965–66 Kitchener RangersOHA4712314339197233013
1966–67 Kitchener RangersOHA482347708513681423
1966–67 Omaha Knights CPHL —————32022
1967–68 Kitchener RangersOHA52375693811917203758
1967–68 New York Rangers NHL 20000—————
1968–69 Buffalo Bisons AHL 52799—————
1968–69 New York RangersNHL711224362840116
1969–70 New York RangersNHL7627507738621317
1970–71 New York RangersNHL77264975481315614
1971–72 New York RangersNHL762442666516461035
1972–73 New York RangersNHL7627396659107298
1973–74 New York RangersNHL71214263581305522
1974–75 New York RangersNHL621125363431235
1975–76 New York RangersNHL788283656—————
1976–77 New York RangersNHL8012385038—————
1977–78 New York RangersNHL802640663030220
1978–79 New York RangersNHL771527423818471110
1979–80 New York RangersNHL761225373670112
1980–81 New York RangersNHL436222828—————
NHL totals94522745167855693193251119

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References

  1. ↑ [page 49] Illustrated Digest of Pro Hockey 1972-73 edition, Don Smith and Art Poretz, Stadia Sports Publishing Inc.
  2. ↑ "New York Rangers Legends: Walt Tkaczuk".
  3. ↑ {(cite web|url=http://rangers.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=67675%7C title=Tkaczuk: He's Always Been a Winner.)|
  4. ↑ 1981 Canada Cup / Coupe Canada, p.126)
  5. ↑ "Tkaczuk Out for 2 Weeks". The New York Times. February 4, 1981.
  6. ↑ Cohen, Russ; Halligan, John; Raider, Adam (2009). 100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters. John Wiley & Sons. p. 184. ISBN   978-0470736197 . Retrieved February 3, 2020.
Sporting positions
Preceded by New York Rangers captain
1980–81 		Succeeded by
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