Terry Ruskowski

TERRY RUSKOWSKI
SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS (1971 to 1974)

Terry Ruskowski was born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He played his minor hockey there until he was 16 when he advanced to the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Tier2 Junior Hockey League in 1970.

Ruskowski came to the Swift Current Broncos in 1971 when he moved up to the Western Canada Hockey League, and spent the next three seasons in Speedy Creek. In his rookie year he qualified for the WCHL All-Star game and was named the Broncos’ Most Popular Player. The following season, Ruskowski was named the Broncos assistant captain, and once again took home honours as the Broncos Most Popular Player. In his final year of junior eligibility (1973-74) Ruskowski was the Broncos captain, and lead the team in scoring with 40 goals and 93 assists for 133 points, a team record at the time. He was named the Broncos Most Valuable Player that season for his accomplishments. When his junior career in Swift Current came to an end, Ruskowski’s career stats with the Broncos were 188 games played, 78 goals, and 195 assists, for 273 points and 556 penalty minutes.

Following his time in Swift Current, Ruskowski was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, but opted to join the up-start World Hockey Association with the Houston Aeros. During his 4-year stay in Houston, Ruskowski was captain for three years, and helped lead the Aeros to an Avco Cup championship in 1977. In 1978 Ruskowski joined the Winnipeg Jets and was a key member of the Jets team that captured the final Avco Cup ever awarded in 1979.

When the WHA disbanded in 1979, Ruskowski joined the Chicago Blackhawks; the team that originally selected him in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft. While in Chicago he was captain for most of his four-year stay. Early in the 1982-83 season, Ruskowski was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, where once again he became captain of the team. In 1985 he signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he played for two seasons before joining the Minnesota North Stars, again as a free agent. After two years with the North Stars, Ruskowski retired from the NHL in 1989.

Upon the conclusion of his playing career, Ruskowski returned to the Western Hockey League, this time as Head Coach of the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL beginning in 1989. He remained the coach of the Blades for two seasons. After his time behind the Blades bench, Ruskowski served as Head Coach of the Columbus Chill of the ECHL, the Houston Aeros of the IHL, and the Knoxville Speed of the UHL. Most recently, he has acted as Head Coach/General Manager of the Laredo Bucks of the CHL; a position he continues to hold today.

“Roscoe”, as he was known, has always approached hockey with a real passion. Able to set up beautiful goals, or take on the toughest customers on the opposing squad; he played every game as though it were his last. Terry has been a leader on every team he has played on, as evidenced by the number of teams that he has served as captain for. He has always enjoyed the respect of teammates and opponents alike for the way he has approached the game. His skill and leadership has now carried over into his coaching career in the junior and the minor-pro levels, as well. While with the Broncos, Terry was one of the best players and best leaders the team has ever known, and has been one of the most successful former Broncos in hockey following his time in Swift Current. Terry is most deserving of the honour of being inducted into the Swift Current Broncos Hall of Fame.

 

WCHL STATISTICS
Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM
Swift Current	WCHL	67	13	38	51	177
Swift Current	WCHL	53	25	64	89	136
Swift Current	WCHL	68	40	93	133	243

WCHL AWARDS AND HONORS
WCHL Playoffs Assists Leader: 1974 (Swift Current) (23 assists)
Miscellaneous: Rated in The Hockey News draft preview issue as No. 47 overall prospect in the 1974 NHL draft. …
Played for Edmonton (WCHL) in its 1974 series vs. Moscow Selects.

 

CAREER NHL STATISTICS
Years	Teams	GP	G	A	TP	PIM
1979-1988	CHI, LA, PIT, MIN	630	113	313	426	1,354

 

CAREER NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS
Years	Teams	GP	G	A	TP	PIM
1980-1985	Chicago, Los Angeles	21	1	6	7	86

NHL AWARDS AND HONORS
Los Angeles Most Inspirational Player: 1982-83
Pittsburgh Player’s Player Award: 1985-86, 1986-87 (co-winner)
Pittsburgh Bastien Award (Good Guy, Media Vote): 1985-86
Chicago Captain: November 1979 to October 23, 1982
Los Angeles Captain: October 1983 to June 30, 1985
Pittsburgh Captain: November 11, 1986, to June 30, 1987
Chicago Points Leader: 1979-80 (70)
Chicago Assists Leader: 1979-80 (55)
Chicago Penalty-Minutes Leader: 1979-80 (252), 1980-81 (225)
Chicago Playoffs Penalty-Minutes Leader: 1980 (22)
Los Angeles Playoffs Assists Leader: 1985 (2, tie)