From Calgary Flames website, Legends of Hockey website, DU Media Guide
Rich “Sarge” Preston played one season of junior hockey with the Regina Pats of the SJHL before heading south to attend the University of Denver. There, he excelled as an offensively productive forward for four seasons, graduating in 1974. Sarge played 127 games at DU scoring 34 goals and 62 assists for 108 points. He played in three straight NCAA tourneys from 1971 through 1973. In his four seasons at DU, the team finished 2nd, 1st, 1st and 3rd in the WCHA. Although Rich was never selected as an All American he played with five All Americans at DU including Mike Christie, Vic Venasky, Tom Peluso, Ron Grahame and Rob Palmer.
As property of the Chicago Blackhawks, Preston was promptly informed that he'd be starting out his pro career in Texas with their minor-league affiliate in Dallas. He and Terry Ruskowski did head to the Lone Star State, but not to join the Hawks. Instead, they jumped to the WHA's Houston Aeros where the prospect of playing with Gordie Howe looked more rewarding than toiling in the minors.
So Preston launched a successful four-year stint in Houston where he developed into an outstanding two-way player who, as he put himself, was a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. At least, until he joined the Winnipeg Jets for the WHA's final season in 1978-79. During the playoffs, Preston was stellar, being voted as the MVP of the tournament. His Jets won the last Avco Cup ever awarded.
After weathering a contractual dispute between the Blackhawks and Jets as the two leagues merged, Preston landed on his blades in the Windy City, thanks in part to his friendship with Keith Magnuson and Cliff Koroll from their University of Denver days.
In his first season, Preston leapt from the starting gate, corralling 31 goals and 30 assists, his best single-season NHL result. In all, he put in five solid years with the Hawks before jumping to the New Jersey Devils for two seasons.
In 1986-87, he re-signed as a free agent with the Hawks where he played 77 games and then retired. Preston played in eight NHL seasons from 1979-87 collecting 291 points (127 goals, 164 assists) in 580 games.
Preston began his coaching career with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1991-92 campaign and spent four seasons with the team. He worked as an Assistant Coach to Mike Keenan during the 1991-92 season, and to Darryl Sutter from 1992-95.
Prior to coaching with Calgary and San Jose, Preston spent two seasons (1995-96 and 1996-97) as Head Coach of his hometown, Regina Pats of the WHL. During this period the Pats compiled a 79-60-5 record. With 42 wins registered in the 1996-97 season, the Pats managed their first 40 win season in 11 years and also established a new team record 27 home game undefeated streak.
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With the San Jose Sharks (2000-02) as an Assistant Coach under Head Coach Darryl Sutter, Preston also saw his team improve its point totals each year.
On June 26, 2003, Rich Preston rejoined the Flames organization as Assistant Coach. The Regina, SK native was previously with the Flames organization, along with Head Coach Brian Sutter, from 1997-2000 and helped the Flames increase its point totals in each of those seasons.
Preston and his wife Laura have three boys, Troy, Lucas and Thomas and reside in Calgary.
Rich “Sarge” Preston played one season of junior hockey with the Regina Pats of the SJHL before heading south to attend the University of Denver. There, he excelled as an offensively productive forward for four seasons, graduating in 1974. Sarge played 127 games at DU scoring 34 goals and 62 assists for 108 points. He played in three straight NCAA tourneys from 1971 through 1973. In his four seasons at DU, the team finished 2nd, 1st, 1st and 3rd in the WCHA. Although Rich was never selected as an All American he played with five All Americans at DU including Mike Christie, Vic Venasky, Tom Peluso, Ron Grahame and Rob Palmer.
After weathering a contractual dispute between the Blackhawks and Jets as the two leagues merged, Preston landed on his blades in the Windy City, thanks in part to his friendship with Keith Magnuson and Cliff Koroll from their University of Denver days.
