DU hockey coach George Gwozdecky has been selected for induction into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. Photo: Rich Clarkson & Associates
The University of Denver’s George Gwozdecky will be inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 25.
Gwozdecky’s hockey teams have won 523 games during his 24-year collegiate head coaching career. In addition to guiding the DU Pioneers to back-to-back NCAA titles in 2004 and 2005, Gwozdecky has led DU to three WCHA regular-season titles and four WCHA playoff titles in 16 seasons. He is the only person to capture an NCAA title as a player (Wisconsin ’77), assistant coach (Michigan State ’86) and head coach.
Gwozdecky, a native of Thunder Bay, Ont., joins former NHL player Greg Johnson, world-champion curler Al Hackner, BMX star Jay Miron, two-time Olympic freestyle skier Dave Walker and Thunder Bay Little League program starter Fred Bragnalo in this year’s induction class. Gwozdecky joins his father, George Gwozdecky Sr., in the hall of fame. Gwozdecky Sr. was inducted on Sept. 17, 1988 in the hall’s builder category.
“The individuals being inducted this year are another fine example of the outstanding athletes, coaches and volunteers who come out of our region,” Hall of Fame President Phil Jarvis said. “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.”