Rick Jodzio

Rick Jodzio
Born (1954-06-03) June 3, 1954
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for Cleveland Barons (NHL)
Colorado Rockies (NHL)
Calgary Cowboys (WHA)
Vancouver Blazers (WHA)
NHL Draft 153rd overall, 1974
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 1974–1980

Richard Joseph Jodzio (born June 3, 1954 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Rockies and the Cleveland Barons; he also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Vancouver Blazers and the Calgary Cowboys.

In his NHL career, Jodzio appeared in 70 games. He scored two goals and added eight assists while collecting 71 minutes in penalties. He played in 137 WHA games, scoring 15 goals and adding 16 assists with 357 minutes in penalties.

In April 11, 1976, one of the most infamous moments of organized hockey, Jodzio, while playing for the Calgary Cowboys of the WHA, attacked Quebec Nordiques star Marc Tardif with his hockey stick during a game in Quebec City. Jodzio's hit caused Tardif permanent brain damage.[1] Jodzio hit Tardif repeatedly as Tardif lay helpless on the ice.[2] Jodzio was ultimately suspended for the rest of the playoffs and charged with assault by Quebec police.[3] After pleading guilty, Jodzio was fined $3000.[1]

Jodzio was also a trained boxer. Since the incident Jodzio and Tardif have met for press interviews.

Jodzio is currently the owner of Frontline Freight, a less than truckload carrier based out of City of Industry, California.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Proteau, Adam (2011). Fighting the Good Fight: Why On-Ice Violence Is Killing Hockey. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 38–39. ISBN 9781118094891. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "WEEK OF DISGRACE ON THE ICE". Vault. Sports Illustrated. 26 April 1976. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  3. ↑ "5 Suspended in W.H.A. Brawl". The New York Times. 15 April 1976. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Meet The Team | Frontline Freight". frontlinefreightinc.com. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  • Biographical information and career statistics from Legends of Hockey, or The Internet Hockey Database
  • Polnaszek, Frank (1979). Larry Wigge, eds. 1979-80 Hockey register. The Sporting News. ISBN 0-89204-051-3.

1-Allo Police page 6, 4 July 1976.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.