Gwozdecky Inducted Into NW Ontario Hall Of Fame

(above) More hardware is on the way for Coach Gwozdecky's trophy case

From: tbnewswatch.com

University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky is one of this year’s inductees into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

Former NHLer Greg Johnson and former world-champion curler Al Hackner Also being honored at the annual inductee dinner on Sept. 25. BMX star Jay Miron and two-time Olympic freestyle skier Dave Walker. Entering the hall in the builder’s category is legendary hockey coach George Gwozdecky Jr. and Fred Bragnalo.

In a release issued Friday afternoon, NOW Hall of Fame president Phil Jarvis said, “The individuals being inducted this year are another fine example of the outstanding athletes, coaches and volunteers who come out of our region.

By inducting these individuals into the hall of fame we are able to ensure that their contributions in sport will not be forgotten and that they will continue to serve as a source of community pride for generations to come.”

Johnson, who spent a dozen years in the NHL, retired after the 2005-06 season having scored 145 goals and 369 points playing for Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Nashville.

Hackner, known around the world as The Iceman, was born in Nipigon and went on to skip teams in nine Canadian men’s championships, winning the Brier in 1982 and 1985, helping taking out Alberta’s Pat Ryan with perhaps the most famous double in curling history.

Gwozdecky, who has won more than 500 games in his U.S. college coaching career, won national titles behind the University of Denver Pioneers bench in 2004 and 2005.

10 comments:

DU_sux_TIGER_pux said...

This is a travesty. That man is a clown!

du78 said...

I wonder if Fred Bragnalo is related to former DU and NHLer Rick Bragnalo. Rick was from Fort William, Ontario.

dggoddard said...

Gwozdecky's record speaks for itself.

National Championships won as a player (WI), assistant coach (MSU) and head coach (2 @ DU). Another championship at D-III Wisconsin River Falls.

Twice NCAA Coach of the Year, Four Time WCHA Coach of the Year, Twice CCHA Coach of the Year, 3 WCHA Championships & 4 WCHA Playoff Championships.

Heck, Gwozdecky has done more in 15 years at DU than Colorado College has done in 72 years.

DenverGoldJersey said...

NW Ontario I guess that's cool, but why is there a NW Ontario hall of fame. That sounds so goddamn silly.

Anonymous said...

He'll be gone as soon as another school offers him a better deal.......no loyalty

dggoddard said...

Loyalty?

Gwozdecky has been at DU for 15 years. He's one of the top three highest paid coaches in NCAA hockey.

DU will certainly match at offer that rolls along.

Aluuum said...

The fact that N.H.L organizations speak highly of D.U. hockey should suffice in answering any questions about the quality of Gwoz's coaching ability. When an N.H.L. club knows one of it's draftees wants to go to college first they always put D.U. up there on their preffered list. Case closed!!

Aluuum said...

one f. Got it.

puck swami said...

Congrats to Gwoz. I'm sure he doesn't miss Thunder Bay all that much...

puck swami said...

Also, Gwoz' father (George Gwozdecky Senior) is already in that same Hall of Fame as a builder for his work with youth sports in Thunder Bay, as well as his medical contrbutions at the national level (Chief Medical Officer for 1976 Canadian Olympic Team, etc.)