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| (above) Former DU star George Konik played for the USA National Team |
Former University of Denver hockey star George Konik was one of seven players elected to the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame this week. The class of 2011 was announced at a media conference in Winnipeg.George Konik played a major role when his hometown Flin Flon Bombers won the Canadian junior championship in 1957.
At the University of Denver, Konik won two NCAA titles (60 & 61) and was named an All-American in 1960.
At the University of Denver, Konik won two NCAA titles (60 & 61) and was named an All-American in 1960.
He signed a professional contract with the New York Rangers after college but did not make his NHL debut until 1967–68 when the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins traded for his rights. Konik made 52 appearances as a versatile role player for the Penguins that season, but drifted back to the minor professional leagues after that.
Konik eventually became a naturalized American citizen and joined the United States national team for the 1970 and 1971 Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments; he was named best defenceman in 1970, helping the USA win the "B" Tournament.
Konik came out of retirement in 1972/73 to play a final season of major league pro hockey for the WHA Minnesota Fighting Saints before leaving hockey for good.
Konik came out of retirement in 1972/73 to play a final season of major league pro hockey for the WHA Minnesota Fighting Saints before leaving hockey for good.
4 comments:
Cool for George and family.
He was a key player in DU's rise to power in the 1960s.
My dad is very honored and excited to be receiving this award!
Congrats Dad!!
LY
In 1961 DU went 30-1-1 and won the National Championship over St. Lawrence 12-2. Easily DU's greatest team ever.
Not only was the 30-1-1 team of 1960-61 DU's greatest-ever team, but for many, that team may have been college hockey's greatest team.
In the four playoff games they played, the Pios outscored the opponents, 35-6.
That is DOMINATION.
Cornell had a 29-0 undefeated team that some argue was the greatest ever, but that team would never have run the table in the WCHA. And Maine's 41-2 team in 1993 was the best team in the modern era, but they never dominated opponents that way the 60-61 team did.
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